Heart Challenge 17s Making Impact

I traveled to Kansas City, Kansas, to watch the 17s take action in the Heart of America Heart Challenge. Teams traveled from across Kansas and Missouri to compete in the two-day event that has three rounds of pool play followed by brackets. Here are some players who caught my attention with their play and energy. KS Networks emerged as the champions, beating JOMO in the championship.   [player_tooltip player_id='814654' first='Kaelyn' last='Maxwell'], [player_tooltip player_id='810201' first='Adalyn' last='Maxwell'], [player_tooltip player_id='814453' first='Jocelyn' last='Maxwell'] - JOMO 17-1   The triplets were the tallest players in the building this weekend, standing tall over their opponents. They are still raw, but the potential is there. They can affect the game with their size at the net, hitting over the defense, or getting touches on balls from the other side.   [player_tooltip player_id='566830' first='Kirby' last='Evans'] - Setter - [program_tooltip program_id='430209' first='Midwest' last='Juniors'] 17-1   I enjoyed watching the competitiveness on display from Evans this weekend. She is a smart player on the court and has a high motor. Her defense also rose to the occasion from the back row.   Zoe Dowd - MB - [program_tooltip program_id='430209' first='Midwest' last='Juniors'] 17-1   Dowd really impressed me in the middle for [program_tooltip program_id='430209' first='Midwest' last='Juniors']. She displayed tremendous athleticism and can score in bunches when the team is in system. You could also see her competitiveness on the sideline, itching to get back in the game as quickly as possible.   Sophia Fritz - Setter/OH - Mavs 17-4   Fritz was a difference maker on the court for this Mavs team. As a setter, she was effective in setting up teammates for the attack. As an attacker, she took quality swings and was able to score from the pin.   [player_tooltip player_id='914138' first='Carsyn' last='Elder'] - OH - South KC Juniors   Elder had one of the heavier arms I saw this weekend. She can bring it. She is another player whom I enjoyed watching their athleticism. She was one of the few players I saw really let it rip from the back row and find tons of success behind the 10ft line. She was a top-three pin in the gym this weekend, in my opinion.   [player_tooltip player_id='809955' first='Dasno' last='Mills'] - MB - Kansas Networks 17-3   If Elder was one of the top pins in the gym, Mills was, in my mind, the best player in the gym. It's too bad she can't stay on the court all of the time! As a middle, she was instant impact when entering the contests. Her ability to score fast and with different shots was impressive. She also took quality swings from the pin and played decent back row defense after serving. I'd love to see her as a pin.   [player_tooltip player_id='845699' first='Karys' last='Deiter'] - OH - Kansas Networks 17-3   Deiter was highly effective on the outside and attacked with confidence, time and time again. Her success rate at swinging through the block was high, and scoring in key moments was seen numerous times.   [player_tooltip player_id='733197' first='Lydia' last='Dumler'] - OH - Kansas Networks 17-3   The other pin for the champs, Dumler, gave the team a solid 1-2 punch on the outside. She came up clutch in the championship in key moments.   Abigail Packard - MB - Topeka Elite 17-1   Packard was a bright spot in the middle for Topeka Elite, hitting over the block and using her size to her advantage.   [player_tooltip player_id='512043' first='Elena' last='Alvarez'] - OH - [program_tooltip program_id='428899' first='Wichita' last='Legacy'] 17-1   I liked the energy Alvarez brought to the floor for [program_tooltip program_id='428899' first='Wichita' last='Legacy'] over the two days. She was able to be effective on the outside and score points in bunches.   [player_tooltip player_id='809394' first='Jaylie' last='Whitehead'] - Libero - Kansas Networks 17-3   Whitehead was so fun to watch this weekend. She was all over the floor, making play after play, helping lead her team to a title. She was gutsy, and regardless of how many times she picked herself up off the floor, she had a smile on her face.   [player_tooltip player_id='841169' first='Zariah' last='Johnson'] - RS - Manhattan Mamba 17-1   The southpaw made her presence known on day two from the right side. She was one of the best players in the gym on day 2 and had a good mix of shots in her tool kit. Extremely athletic.   Lauren Bos - S - Apex Volleyball   Apex played well as a unit this weekend, and Bos was the conductor of the squad. I thought her decision-making and balls were amongst the cleanest this weekend.   [player_tooltip player_id='840358' first='Grayson' last='Lamb'] - OH - Alpha Omega 17-2   Lamb played some good volleyball in the couple of matches I peeked in on. She displayed a level of confidence and poise on the court.   Jada Sansome- DS - South KC Juniors   High energy and motor are what come to mind when watching Sansome play. She is all over the place and getting touches on what seemed like a thousand balls in the few matches I saw her team in action. She is a player you'd love to have in your back row.

I traveled to Kansas City, Kansas, to watch the 17s take action in the Heart of America Heart Challenge. Teams traveled from across Kansas and Missouri to compete in the two-day event that has three rounds of pool play followed by brackets. Here are some players who caught my attention with their play and energy. KS Networks emerged as the champions, beating JOMO in the championship.