Memphis Club Stars Come out in Indy MEQs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clubs came from all over the country to Indianapolis for the Mideast Qualifiers in Indianapolis. Memphis, Tennessee saw great representation there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The loaded Memphis Metro 17 Elite Black team finished 10-1 coming back with the 17 Liberty championship for its first tournament title this season. The defending Arkansas Class 5A state champion Marion Patriots have three players on the team in junior defensive specialists [player_tooltip player_id='749868' first='Claire' last='Brinkley'], [player_tooltip player_id='800862' first='Alli' last='Sharp'] and junior middle blocker Jaida Sturdivant. The setter is the dynamic Arlington 6-0 junior [player_tooltip player_id='953503' first='Eman' last='Nuhic'] and another defensive specialist is Tupelo (Mississippi) junior Reese Barbles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The team is loaded with hitters led by Arlington 5-10 junior outside and Ole Miss commit [player_tooltip player_id='828834' first='Addison' last='Harris'] and two dynamic hitters off defending Tennessee Division II-AA state champion Briarcrest Christian in junior outside and Belmont commit [player_tooltip player_id='805009' first='Camille' last='Northcross'] and junior middle blocker and Bradley University commit [player_tooltip player_id='948659' first='Nancy' last='Ward']. Collierville right side hitter Maret Roberts also contributed to the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Memphis Metro Elite 17 Black won all three pool play games to start Friday then went 2-1 in pool play the second day. However, the squad won the challenge game to make it to the gold round then went 4-0 through the gold round going three sets in the semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The other Memphis Metro team there in 16 Elite Black finished 4-4 to take 25th in the 16 USA Division. The Memphis Junior 17 and 16 Elite teams played in the Open Divisions, both finishing 4-4. The 17 Elite team took 37th winning the Emerald bracket and the 16 Elite team took 9th in 16 Open.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The [program_tooltip program_id='431028' first='Memphis' last='Volleyball Academy'] teams placed high in the respective divisions. The 16 Red team won the first eight games not losing until the 16 USA Gold quarterfinals to the eventual champions. The 18 Red team finished 5-2 placing ninth in the 18 Liberty Division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["749868"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":957158,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69c0a1cbcc61d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brinkley gives 17 Elite sound libero play after playing setter and opposite hitter for Marion during high school season. Brinkley has a nose for balls. Brinkley steps to them and makes sound passes. She is not afraid to go down to the ground to dig up hard shots. She can even pick up deflected balls. Brinkley executes both the bump and overhead passes to jumpstart the offense. Brinkley also backs up plays at the net nicely. Brinkley said keeping balls and in play is a huge focus for this team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["828834"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":957170,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69c0a5e804201"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Harris is relentless on the court. Harris gets on top of balls and pounds them to the ground. It helps that her setter is the same one on both the club and high school teams. Harris smacks balls hard from all six spots on the court. Harris reads floors well and makes sound in-air adjustments. She smacks balls off blocks and out of bounds and mixes in tips. Harris said it was good to see the team come together this weekend because one person can't do it all in volleyball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["805009"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69c0a5e80426b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Northcross gives the 17 Elite Black team balance. Northcross leaped up and smoked the final ball to the ground in the championship. Northcross produces at all six spots using a high volleyball IQ and is a great leader on the court. Northcross makes the simple plays on defense to jumpstart the offensive rhythm. Northcross said she was glad to come through to finish the championship, noting they rely on her to make big plays like that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["831335"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":957168,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69c0aa6ef19ae"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Haupt gives the 17 Elite Black team a solid option on the outside. She executes slides to near textbook and greatly influences balls at the net. Haupt has a strong form and great timing on her blocks. She slows down balls to make things easier on the defensive specialists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["957172"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69c0aa6ef1a14"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Plunkett executes a number of sets including back sets. Plunkett does a great job involving a number of hitters. She denies overpass slam attempts with authority. Plunkett also wins jousts at the net. Plunkett sticks her arms out quickly when hitters rip the seams near her. Plunkett uses sound range to get to tips with ease. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Note from the Writer</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mike Graham has been writing for Prep Dig for two years and has enjoyed getting to know the volleyball scenes in both Kentucky, Ohio and coming soon, Tennessee. If you liked the story, please copy and paste to X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. You may also follow us at @prepdigkentucky or @prepdigoh on Instagram in addition to @PrepDigKy or @PrepDigOH on X. If you feel someone in Kentucky, Tennessee or Ohio needs coverage or even have feedback on the Kentucky rankings, please email Mike at pnmikeg@yahoo.com. You may also follow him on X @GMCgrah or Instagram @g.michaelgraham. Subscriptions give you access to exclusive content. For a 30% discount, enter code graham30 at checkout.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->