<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>The final playdate for the 17s took place over the weekend with bids on the line. Due to inclement weather earlier in the season, an adjustment was made to the format. For the final day, teams were placed into three pools, with the top two teams from each pool advancing to a Gold Bracket for two available National Division bids. One thing was certain going in: [program_tooltip program_id='428889' first='Dynasty' last=''] 17 Black already held an Open bid, meaning a top-two finish for them would trigger a trickle-down to the third-place match—and that's exactly how it played out.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>The day started with fireworks as [program_tooltip program_id='428889' first='Dynasty' last=''] dropped the first set of the entire morning to KS Networks 17-1 Showtime before bouncing back to take the match. [program_tooltip program_id='428889' first='Dynasty' last=''] went on to win Pool B, while KS Networks secured second. In Pool A, [program_tooltip program_id='430200' first='KC' last='[program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last='']'] 17-1 and Mavs 17-1 are locked in the top two spots. Pool C, a three-team pool, featured auto three-set matches, with [program_tooltip program_id='428892' first='PVA' last=''] 17-1 and [program_tooltip program_id='515466' first='Pohaku' last=''] advancing.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>The bracket round delivered some high-quality volleyball. The championship turned into a three-set battle, with [program_tooltip program_id='430200' first='KC' last='[program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last='']'] knocking out top-seeded [program_tooltip program_id='428889' first='Dynasty' last=''] to earn their National bid. Since [program_tooltip program_id='428889' first='Dynasty' last=''] was already qualified in Open, the third-place match became the critical decider. Mavs 17-1 and [program_tooltip program_id='515466' first='Pohaku' last=''] 17-1 traded punches for three tight sets, but [program_tooltip program_id='515466' first='Pohaku' last=''] emerged with a 15–13 win to secure the bid. Mavs remain in position for a potential trickle-down should [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] or [program_tooltip program_id='515466' first='Pohaku' last=''] secure an Open bid as qualifier season heats up.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Here are the players who caught my attention on Sunday:</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>[player_tooltip player_id='551331' first='Ellie' last='Wisdom'] – Setter – Showtime<br>An efficient and composed 5-1 setter, Wisdom impressed with intentional distribution that kept all attackers involved. Her decision-making—whether to dump, force the middle, or set the back-row attack — was timely and effective.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>[player_tooltip player_id='828131' first='Addison' last='Davee'] & [player_tooltip player_id='621307' first='Emersyn' last='Ripley'] – Middle Blockers – Showtime<br>Showtime features a strong, athletic middle duo, and both stood out throughout the day. They transition well, make themselves available offensively, and move laterally to close blocks. Their ability to terminate and defend was nearly identical in effectiveness.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>[player_tooltip player_id='841883' first='Ava' last='Stoughton'] – Right Side – Showtime<br>The lefty opposite brought relentless aggression, attacking every ball with purpose. She repeatedly tooled the block and placed balls deep into Zone 1. Her back-row scoring ability also stood out.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>[player_tooltip player_id='480408' first='Tinley' last='Wilson'] – Outside Hitter – [program_tooltip program_id='515493' first='Club' last='North'] 17-1<br>In limited viewing, Wilson showed productivity and smart shot selection from the outside.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>[player_tooltip player_id='445976' first='Reese' last='Maslowski'] – Outside Hitter – Mavs 17-1<br>Maslowski delivered strong moments all day and continues to show why she's one of Kansas City's top 2027 outsides. Her defense was especially impressive, complementing her already well-known offensive strengths.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>[player_tooltip player_id='783588' first='Kaylee' last='DeWitt'] – Right Side – [program_tooltip program_id='515493' first='Club' last='North'] 17-1<br>A left-handed opposite with noticeable pop, DeWitt made an impact in the short stretch I saw, terminating several swings despite not being the biggest on the court.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>[player_tooltip player_id='567543' first='Lainey' last='Barrett'] – Middle Blocker – Mavs 17-1<br>Barrett made a strong impression with her lateral quickness and ability to dominate in spurts on both sides of the net. A definite player to keep an eye on.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Victoria Mudari – Middle Blocker – Mavs 17-2<br>Mudari made her presence known immediately when subbing in. She scored in front of the setter with both [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] and well-placed tips, bringing energy to the front line.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>[player_tooltip player_id='694190' first='Avery' last='Henson'] – Right Side – Mavs 17-2<br>Another lefty opposite who produced, Henson found ways to impact the game even without elite size.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>[player_tooltip player_id='488383' first='Miley' last='Layton'] – Outside Hitter – [program_tooltip program_id='430200' first='KC' last='[program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last='']'] 17-2<br>Layton is growing into a full six-rotation outside. Her offensive ability has always been there, but her improved defense and back-row attacking make her increasingly valuable at the next level.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>[player_tooltip player_id='808102' first='Sofia' last='Simic'] – Outside Hitter – [program_tooltip program_id='430200' first='KC' last='[program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last='']'] 17-1<br>Simic was instrumental in [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last='']'s championship run, scoring from the outside, from the back row, and from the service line. She's clearly one of the premier players in her class.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>[player_tooltip player_id='446324' first='Sasha' last='Cromer'] – Setter – [program_tooltip program_id='430200' first='KC' last='[program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last='']'] 17-1<br>Cromer ran a smooth 5-1 offense, defended well in right back, and helped lead [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] to a bid. She was consistently solid every match.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>[player_tooltip player_id='446314' first='Bo' last='Bronson'] – Outside Hitter – [program_tooltip program_id='430200' first='KC' last='[program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last='']'] 17-1<br>Bronson frustrated opponents with a lethal topspin serve that produced aces and kept teams out of rhythm. She also contributed heavily as a point-scoring outside.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>[player_tooltip player_id='837323' first='Riley' last='Martin'] – S/OH – [program_tooltip program_id='515466' first='Pohaku' last=''] 17-1<br>Martin excelled in both roles. As a setter, she placed the ball well and made strong decisions; as an outside, she found creative ways to score and played a key role in [program_tooltip program_id='515466' first='Pohaku' last='']'s bid-winning day.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>[player_tooltip player_id='750750' first='Londyn' last='Shaw'] – Right Side – [program_tooltip program_id='515466' first='Pohaku' last=''] 17-1<br>Shaw brought real [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] from the right pin and raised her stock with a strong overall performance.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
The final playdate for the 17s took place over the weekend with bids on the line. Due to inclement weather earlier in the season, an adjustment was made to the format. For the final day, teams were placed into three pools, with the top two teams from each pool advancing to a Gold Bracket for two available National Division bids. One thing was certain going in:
Dynasty
17 Black already held an Open bid, meaning a top-two finish for them would trigger a trickle-down to the third-place match—and that's exactly how it played out.
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue Reading
Already a subscriber?
Log in