Line Shot's Mid-East Qualifier Hot Shots in 16 Open

<p><em><strong>Be sure to follow @lshotvb on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lshotvb/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc">Tik Tok </a>and <a href="https://x.com/LineShotVBall">Twitter</a> for all things volleyball!</strong></em></p>   <p><strong><em><strong><em><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb/video/7621354388061179167?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7621309005139035661">IS THIS THE BEST TEAM IN THE COUNTRY RIGHT NOW!?</a></em></strong></em></strong></p>   <p><strong><em>--</em></strong></p>   <p>It's one of the biggest tournaments of the season for a lot of reasons. The Mid-East Qualifier brings in the talent from every corner of the country. From the midwest to the south, to Texas and the PNW, we had representatives from just about everywhere you could imagine. All on the hunt for their bid to return back to the Circle City this summer.</p>   <p>Not only does MEQ bring the heat in terms of talent, but its the half way mark of the regular season in the club season. Qualifier season is nearing its end and we're just 6 weeks away from the quiet period that May brings. From there, its the almighty race for national championships in June and July. We're seeing teams hit their stride and playing some of their best volleyball yet.</p>   <p>The 16 Open continues to be a division on the rise. All eyes are on the ladies of A5. Even without their star ace on the court, this team is dominating the field. Alongside them MN Select came out of the woodworks to prove themselves a viable player in 16 Open. Circle City and Premier Nebraska also had huge weekends, rounding out the final four teams and earning their bids back to Indianapolis in July. </p>   <p>There is a LOT of volleyball to break down here from the 2026 Mid-East Qualifier, let's take a look at the Hot Shots of the tournament.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='807870' first='Ayva' last='Jennings'] - MN Select</h2>   <p>One of the leading forces to MN Select exceptional weekend was the play of [player_tooltip player_id='807870' first='Ayva' last='Jennings'] on the left side. This is an undersized, high flying dynamo. She soars through the air before detonating on the ball. Her size may fool others, but it doesn't last long. Jennings can pack a punch while also using her view from the stratosphere to drop down some cheeky points throughout. The range is what takes her a long way.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/03/RG1A2272.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-956775" style="width:294px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='508163' first='Avery' last='Minor'], MN Select 16-1</figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='508163' first='Avery' last='Minor'] - MN Select</h2>   <p>From the left pin with Jennings to the right pin with [player_tooltip player_id='508163' first='Avery' last='Minor'], this left handed killer can get you from anywhere on the court. Much like her outside counterpart, Minor is not the biggest to step onto the court but her play is surely major! Minor has the ability to score from either pin with ease as well as be a viable option out of the back row. She sees the block well and this allows her to tool with heat and on the sneaky touch as well.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='643677' first='Neysa' last='Allen'] - MN Select</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='643677' first='Neysa' last='Allen'] in the middle creates the perfect trifecta for MN Select. She is the perfect size for a middle and moves so well along the net. Her blocking prowess was proving to be a problem for many in Indianapolis. Hitters just couldn't find the answer around Allen. Off the net, Allen can bring the boom with the best of the field. When Allen can get involved, Select soared.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='891433' first='Whitney' last='Walen'] - MN Select</h2>   <p>This was my first introduction to this setter and needless to say, I will be keeping tabs on [player_tooltip player_id='891433' first='Whitney' last='Walen']. Walen brings a fun look to the court. She's a taller setter which offers a lot of different possibilities at the net. Despite her height though, Walen is quite mobile around the court. I was a fan of her decision making, her sets were timely and effective in driving Select to a championship appearance in 16 Open.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='569767' first='Quinn' last='Nelson'] - Legacy</h2>   <p>I am really loving the development of [player_tooltip player_id='569767' first='Quinn' last='Nelson'] throughout this season. She seemingly bursted onto the scene during the fall camp with Marian and now she's contending with some of the best in her position. She has the ball control that keeps her in the game and passing at every rotation. Meanwhile, her offense has greatly improved. She's hitting with more range, seeing the block better and using it to her advantage.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='569774' first='London' last='Gibson'] - Michigan Elite</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='569774' first='London' last='Gibson'] is continuing to find her groove in the middle. While she left the last club season on an huge high, Gibson has picked up where she has left off and MEQ was another big weekend. This Michigan Elite offense runs through this player. When they can find her in transition and in side out opportunities, things are going well for 16 Mizuno.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='569772' first='Lauren' last='Sheldon'] - Legacy</h2>   <p>I've said it before and I'll say it again. [player_tooltip player_id='569772' first='Lauren' last='Sheldon'] does not get nearly enough love in the middle for Legacy. She is so dynamic and such a flexible attacker. Particularly with the last minute inclusion of setter, [player_tooltip player_id='958515' first='Molly' last='Hickey'], Sheldon was able to still find success due to her vast window. Her able to go about the weekend as business as usual was a big part to Legacy finding themselves in another Top five weekend.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/09/DSC07989.jpg?w=769" alt="" class="wp-image-890455" style="width:231px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='644142' first='Ava' last='Kiernan']<br>Photo by Line Shot Volleyball</figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='644142' first='Ava' last='Kiernan'] - Michigan Elite</h2>   <p>We've said it before and we'll say it again, [player_tooltip player_id='644142' first='Ava' last='Kiernan'] continues to skyrocket through the ranks. The 6'2 setter is making her case to be in the conversation amongst the best setters in the country. With only a year of setting under her belt, Kiernan is finding her rhythm on the court and from there, her offense is becoming more and more lethal. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='958515' first='Molly' last='Hickey'] - Legacy</h2>   <p>It's not everyday you see a setter get pulled up from playing in the 14s division to 16 Open and playing THIS GOOD. Absolutely no fear was had in this young setter playing in one of the toughest tournaments in the country. Legacy 16-1 Adidas found themselves in quite the pickle entering the weekend with the absence of setter, [player_tooltip player_id='574175' first='Payton' last='Woodruff'], due to injury. Where else could they find one to slot in and run the show? Why not, [player_tooltip player_id='958515' first='Molly' last='Hickey']? As if this up and coming prospect wasn't already making herself a name in 14 Open, but after this weekend, everyone should know her name.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='553151' first='Ashlyn' last='Pelon'] - Legacy</h2>   <p>You could very easily make an argument for Ashley Pelon as one of the best liberos in this class. She reads the game with a close eye. This allows her to not only soak up the hard driven swings, but scoop up the sneakiest of off speeds. Her defense was looking much improved and the best it may have been all season this weekend.</p>   <p>--</p>   <p><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb/video/7620597652283018509?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7621309005139035661"><strong><em>MLV ALL STAR GAME IS THIS WEEKEND - DON'T MISS IT!</em></strong></a></p>

Be sure to follow @lshotvb on Instagram, Tik Tok and Twitter for all things volleyball!