Final Regional Send Off for HOA 18s

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The final regional action in the 18U division was held over the weekend in the Heart of America region. This round, more bids were in play because the [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] League was canceled when bad weather wreaked havoc last month. Teams scheduled to compete in [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] League are eligible to secure bids in the National Division of USAV. The American and Freedom bids were also on the line. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When the dust cleared, Mavs KC 18-1 and Topeka Impact were the final two teams standing who were eligible for the National bids. Mavs defeated Impact in two, including a 30-28 first set. Summit Volleyball defeated [program_tooltip program_id='428889' first='Dynasty' last=''] 18-1 in a third-place match to grab a trickle-down Liberty bid from the region. With the 4th-place showing, [program_tooltip program_id='428889' first='Dynasty' last=''] 18-1 grabs one of the two American bids, joined by Mavs KC 18-2, who beat Midwet Blitz in a three-set thriller. After dropping that match, Blitz had to regroup and refocus and did so, beating One Volleyball Academy 18-2 to leave Garner with the final bid, the Freedom.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some setters caught my eye throughout the weekend. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='223572' first='Stella' last='Kelly'] - Topeka Impact 18-1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've seen Kelly for years on the court. If you are just walking by the court, she may not stand out immediately, but over the years, she has been one of the most solid setters in the class. She possibly doesn't get the recognition due to playing for what some may deem a smaller club, but she is so good. I only saw her in action for one match, and her play is just steady and efficient. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='489775' first='Brynna' last='Zoeller'] - Kansas Networks Shazaam 18-1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I first saw Zoeller earlier this season, and she quickly became a player I like to watch. She is an aggressive setter who takes risks in her set selection and second ball attacks. She is extremely athletic and plays high above the net. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keastin Kitchen - Summit Volleyball 18-2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I was impressed with Kitchen's play for a six roster Summit Volleyball squad. The Sterling College pledge was all over the court with timely sets and solid defense in the back row. She made good decisions, also when stuck in tough rotations with small attackers to work with. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lucy Geier - Kansas Rise 18-1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rise runs a 6-2, and I walked away impressed with Geier's play on the court. Her tempo sets kept the offense flowing and the defense off balance in the matches I saw. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='541947' first='Lauren' last='Foster'] - [program_tooltip program_id='515493' first='Club' last='North'] 18 Molly</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Foster looked good in the match against Kansas Rise on the final day. She recognized where to send the ball in a tight battle when her team needed to score. Her sets to the pins and the speed allowed her attackers to get swings with no block on multiple occasions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->