Line Shot's Mid-East Qualifier Hot Shots in 17 Open (Pt 2)

<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/7623129375982062878?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7621309005139035661">WHO HAD THE BEST BLOCK AT THE MLV ALL STAR GAME?!</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 17 Open remains to be one of the most sought after division in the country. These players have sometime to prove and for many, it is their last go around before hitting the early grad trend next winter. TAV, once again, dominated the field, winning in a dominated 10-0 fashion. OTVA came up short in challenging the clear front runners for the 17 Open title come Summer time. We also saw the emergence of teams like PVA and 1st Alliance bring themselves within the conversation with big weekends.</p>   <p>There is a LOT of volleyball to break down here from the 2026 Mid-East Qualifier, let's take a look at more of the [program_tooltip program_id='431783' first='Hot' last='Shots'] in the 17 Open.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/10/BOE-2024-15.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-704824" style="aspect-ratio:1.2457825071372957;width:254px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='470031' first='Avery' last='Kapeller']</figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='470031' first='Avery' last='Kapeller'] - High Performance</h2>   <p>The driving force that makes this team operational is [player_tooltip player_id='470031' first='Avery' last='Kapeller']. From her ball control, to her consistency as a scoring presence, Kapeller can be relied upon to do so much for High Performance. When in doubt, find HER. While HP didn't have the most ideal of weekends, one thing remains, Kapeller shines on the court. She finds her shots and muscles through the toughest of defenses when needed.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='456516' first='Kennedy' last='Duncan'] - High Performance</h2>   <p>Right alongside Kapeller, if there is another player to really note on this team as a highlight, it's [player_tooltip player_id='456516' first='Kennedy' last='Duncan']. With Duncan, HP has a consistent threat up at the net on the left side. Duncan's game continues to grow and she's finding more and more of her rhythm as a threat offensively.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='523847' first='Rory' last='O'Connell'] - Legacy</h2>   <p>What I really liked seeing from this player is her versatility as an attacker on the right pin. While she was scoring at a high clip on the right, [player_tooltip player_id='523847' first='Rory' last='O'Connell'] can bring down the house from the left and from a variety of routes in the back row. Her attack is dynamic and she's also heavily relied upon to take on passing duties. O'Connell carries the load well.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='436889' first='Sophia' last='Smith'] - Legacy</h2>   <p>It has been nothing short of exciting to see this player take off in her volleyball career. If you were to look at her earlier on last season, [player_tooltip player_id='436889' first='Sophia' last='Smith'] was down the list when it comes to go-to options. Now, I would argue, Smith atop the list for Legacy's offensive outlets. On the right pin, she's grown so much in not only her phsycality but in her shot selection and vision for the court. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='839903' first='Charley' last='Gardner'] - Legacy</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/10/DSC09136-crop-1537x1010-1760993114.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-895705" style="width:279px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='442994' first='Makayla' last='Naves']<br>Photo by Line Shot Volleyball</figcaption></figure>   <p>I love a player that can go into any position at any given moment. This is very much what [player_tooltip player_id='839903' first='Charley' last='Gardner'] can do. While she's more relied upon in her back court skills and we mostly see her there, Gardner can get down with some of the better attackers in the field. I have watched her time and time again slide into the front row rotations and put up some admirable swings. With this in mind, I would love to see her utilized more for her back row attack because she is effective and can add an extra layer of depth to Legacy.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='442994' first='Makayla' last='Naves'] - Legacy</h2>   <p>Speaking of dynamic back row players, I would truly argue that [player_tooltip player_id='442994' first='Makayla' last='Naves'] would be the starting libero on just about any team in the country. At the very least, any team in the midwest. Naves is quick and scrappy, while also upholding this poise and technique to make some great plays in the back row.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='442995' first='Marlie' last='Smith'] - Legacy</h2>   <p>Time and time again, this player is a walking highlight reel. I spoke about her in a recent article, [player_tooltip player_id='442995' first='Marlie' last='Smith'] is now just playing games with the competition. She's always had the magic touch when running her offense, but Smith is beginning to incorporate more deceptive, high level plays to her repertoire. If there's anybody to watch when talking about making the sport FUN to watch, it's [player_tooltip player_id='442995' first='Marlie' last='Smith'] right now. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/03/DSC07661.jpg?w=741" alt="" class="wp-image-959724" style="width:249px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='710832' first='Anneliese' last='Weber']<br>Photo by Line Shot Vb</figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='710832' first='Anneliese' last='Weber'] - Michigan Elite</h2>   <p>This setter has been slowly but surely coming off of the injury and recovery train throughout the early goings of the season. However, MEQ looked to be a huge weekend for [player_tooltip player_id='710832' first='Anneliese' last='Weber']. It was a full weekend of play where Weber looked to be at her best and operating at full force. This means only good things for Michigan Elite. As Weber, looking to be full health, continues to reclaim her stride she found going into last summer, only good things will come for this squad.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='839917' first='Sarah' last='Giroux'] - Michigan Elite</h2>   <p>Let this be ANOTHER sign for you college coaches, [player_tooltip player_id='839917' first='Sarah' last='Giroux'] should be climbing up your lists. As she gets more and more comfortable with the open division, the more fluid, controlled and terminal she becomes. When Giroux connects with a ball, it's absolute money!</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='828280' first='Kyla' last='Williams'] - AVC</h2>   <p>Fresh off of being named one of the five MVPs of the UA Next Indianapolis Camp, [player_tooltip player_id='828280' first='Kyla' last='Williams'] was on another level all weekend long. This player is another one of those that make the game so much. She's big, she's physical, she can do so many different things well at the nt. But above all, she plays with this swagger that is infectious! Her team rallies behind her energy and it's very apparent. </p>   <p>--</p>   <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb/video/7622821264234777887?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7621309005139035661">WHO HAD THE BEST BLOCK FROM THE MLV ALL STAR GAME?! </a>💫 </em></strong></p>

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