Team Profile: IGNITE 16 Blue National

This is a team that deserves some attention given their overall club success that includes qualifying for the 16 American division for the current USAV national championships. They feature a good setter and a corps of arms that can terminate well with passers that can get them into rhythm and create good opportunities with their defense. Opening the GJNC in Pool 3, they finished day one with a 1-2 record and will conclude pool play on day two. Here are a few of their key athletes.    Popovic is a key catalyst for this team as she has a good all-around skill set. As the primary setter, she does good work to get her full offense involved through a varied system that puts her hitters into good situations. She also can take care of the second touch with a fundamental swing when the situation and timing is right. As she runs the show as a setter during club, she is a key arm for Twinsburg in the Fall as she was second on the team in 2024 at 2.4 k/s.     McCullough is the most physical attacker on this team. As a primary pin hitter, she jumps well and can bring good arm speed and range. Her ability to score from both sides of the floor and out of the back row make her available for high volume work. With the graduation of some key pieces, McCullough should be a bigger factor for Stow-Munroe Falls in 2025 following a sophomore performance of 1.3 k/s and 7.7 d/m.     DeBenedictis is a versatile attacker with a heavy arm. She has a good arsenal of quick options around her setter that she has displayed her power and arm control all season. Additionally, she can slow it down a little to be able to get up and swing aggressively at the right pin as well. Look for her with Walsh Jesuit this coming Fall high school season.     Nightwine helps to balance this team's offensive effort from the right pin. She also has the ability to pass in serve receive and swing from the back row if needed. One of the key factors in her game is the power she can generate and when on time to contact in the air she can put some good pace on the ball. Approaching 200 total kills for her high school career with Chagrin Falls, she is one of Tigers' top three returning arms.     The 5'4 Cornell stabilizes this team with her ball control. She moves efficiently with good command of her platform in serve receive while on defense, she can pursue with good reaction and effort in all directions to dig the ball. In a reserve role for Kentson in 2024, Cornell averaged over six digs per match. Look for her to make a bigger impact in 2025 as the Bombers are coming off a 17-8 overall record last Fall.     Also spending time in the libero jersey, Niemiec is fundamentally solid as a DS/L prospect and brings a little more length to the position for this team. She tracks the ball well when passing with good angles and balanced footwork. She also reads well on defense to develop transition opportunities while supporting the front row well when they are up in the air. Niemiec is also a Walsh Jesuit product.

This is a team that deserves some attention given their overall club success that includes qualifying for the 16 American division for the current USAV national championships. They feature a good setter and a corps of arms that can terminate well with passers that can get them into rhythm and create good opportunities with their defense. Opening the GJNC in Pool 3, they finished day one with a 1-2 record and will conclude pool play on day two. Here are a few of their key athletes.