Pioneer 16-18 Bids: Five Players to Keep Tabs on

Squads from [program_tooltip program_id='481203' first='Northern' last='Kentucky Volleyball Club'], Bluegrass Blitz, 606 United, Union and [program_tooltip program_id='510734' first='Lexington' last='United'] competed for four bids to the USA Volleyball National Tournament later in the year in the Pioneer Bid Tournament at the [program_tooltip program_id='481203' first='Northern' last='Kentucky Volleyball Club'] in Wilder. A top finish in the 16U, 17U and 18U teams meant a bid in the National Division with second and third place finishes securing American bids and a fourth-place finish securing a Freedom Division bid.   18U   Only four teams played in this Division so they just played a round robin style format. [program_tooltip program_id='430243' first='NKYVC' last=''] 18-2 finished 3-0 with first-year club Bluegrass Blitz 18 Blue taking second. The 606 United Diamonds and Avalanche took third and fourth, respectively.   17U   While the higher seeds won most of the games, the LUV 17 Elite team disrupted that order as the fifth seed out of seven teams. The team went 1-1 in pool play as the fifth seed knocking off fourth-seeded Union 17 Green, 2-0 (25-20, 25-9) to qualify for the gold round. The team then knocked off second-seeded Union 17 Black, 2-1 (14-25, 25-22, 15-13) to make it back to the championship game.   The NKYVC 17-1 won the rematch in three (25-11, 23-25, 15-3) to take the National bid and leave LUV with an American bid. Union 17 Black beat NKYVC 17-2, 2-0 (25-20, 25-19) to take the second American Division bid.   16U   The NKYVC 16-1 Tsunami won this National bid going 4-0. However, Union 16 Black put up a battle in the championship game forcing a third set that 16-1 won 2-1 (25-13, 14-25, 15-8) to take the first America Division bid.   The NKYVC 16-2 Tide and MAVA 16 Select teams made the gold bracket semifinals. MAVA 16 Select displayed marked improvement from the Nike Classic in Columbus.   Notable Players    Bakken (pictured) has improved her serving during club season. She threw NKYVC 16-1 for a loop landing them all over the court to start the second set. She moves her feet quick and puts a lot of sets on target, including back sets. Bakken's athleticism also pays off in the back row with incredible first touches. Bakken has an effective setover and goes hard after balls trying to keep plays alive.     Riegling recently transferred to Ballard and is showing she is ready to make an impact there. Riegling has a solid cross and hard line shot. She takes swings from the back row and her out of system passes go toward the net at good angles. Riegling said she's trying to improve the consistency with her swings, raise her vertical jump and turn into a better all-around player.     Duncan once again did a nice job forming walls at the net thus helping the LUV 17 Elite team make it to the 17 Gold round title game. She is especially tough when she doubles up with teammates. Duncan executes effective quicks and slides. She can also hit balls off blockers for big points. Described as enthusiastic, funny and competitive by teammates and close ones, Duncan records sound out of system sets.     Blackburn is driven to turn into a sound all-around player. She encourages teammates and makes crisp first passes. Blackburn said she's been focusing on everything she can do to become that solid all-around player and not just one specific thing. Blackburn said while playing back row in high school, she had not played there for club before this year. Blackburn also said she's been trying to communicate better on the court.     Roose has recently taken more serves and it is paying off. She sends them to different zones on the court to keep defenders guessing and is more aggressive with them. Roose does a good job pulling up quick when balls are headed out of bounds. She teams up well with teammates on blocks. Roose needs some work on her accuracy with her swings, but they are tough when she gets on top of balls.    Note from the Writer   Mike Graham has been writing for Prep Dig for two years and has enjoyed getting to know the volleyball scenes in both Kentucky and Ohio. 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 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.

Squads from Northern Kentucky Volleyball Club , Bluegrass Blitz, 606 United, Union and Lexington United competed for four bids to the USA Volleyball National Tournament later in the year in the Pioneer Bid Tournament at the Northern Kentucky Volleyball Club in Wilder. A top finish in the 16U, 17U and 18U teams meant a bid in the National Division with second and third place finishes securing American bids and a fourth-place finish securing a Freedom Division bid.