Meet The 18U Iowa Teams Competing USAV Nationals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Teams have been working hard all season to try to make it to the final tournament- USAV Nationals. Qualifying for this tournament is not easy, especially when your state has many powerhouse clubs competing for the same opportunity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These clubs are no strangers to competing at the national level, and do an amazing job of holding their own against some of the best teams in the country. Take a look at the 18U teams that will be representing Iowa on the big stage this weekend in Reno, Nevada:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Open Division</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='431948' first='Iowa' last='Rockets'] 18R-</strong> [program_tooltip program_id='431948' first='Iowa' last='Rockets'] made a huge statement early in the season by securing an Open bid with their 5th place finish at the Northern Lights Qualifier in early February. They are 1 of the 2 Iowa teams competing in the Open division at Nationals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Roster</strong>- Lilee Boriskey, Cambel Drapeau, Ava Groteke, Macie Lupkes, [player_tooltip player_id='316419' first='Edie' last='Miller'], Maren Ouellette, Avery Vogt, Kennedey Whitford, Isabel Kremer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["373682"],"_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-69f3946762ff0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If you want to watch someone who knows how to run the back row, refuses to let a ball drop, sets her hitters up for success with out-of-system sets, AND is her team's biggest hype woman- Kennedey is the player to watch. Her ability to read/ anticipate where the ball is going is unmatched. She shows an amazing blend of energy and composure and is never one to fall under any pressure. When tensions run high, her team can always rely on her to keep the rally going and knows she will back them up on every play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>National Division</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Six Pack 18U-</strong> This team always puts on a good show at the Iowa Regionals, and this year was no different. Six Pack came out on top after a hard-fought win in the finals, securing them a spot in the National Division this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Roster-</strong> Alexa Buhman, [player_tooltip player_id='758822' first='Koye' last='Jaeger'], Keely Kauten, Lindsay Kruse, [player_tooltip player_id='836706' first='Olivia' last='Peters'], Mia Schluter, Cydney Tath, Annistyn Wedgbury.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["761890"],"_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-69f3946762f7b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A player that I am excited to watch this weekend is Keely Kauten, a MB from Dike- New Hartford who has continued to make her presence known all season at the net both offensively and defensively. Kauten helped her team secure a bid in the National division at the USAV Iowa Regional tournament after going 6-0 and coming out on top. She gets to the ball quickly, has great reach and amazing range, making her unpredictable and hard to read. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>American Division</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Iowa United 181 Elite-</strong> Although Iowa United is only in its second season as a club, they have really turned a lot of heads in the last two years, and this team has definitely set the standard for the club. With two top 10 finishes at the Windy City Qualifier and the Northern Lights Qualifier, as well as their second-place finish at the Iowa Regionals, which earned them their spot in the American division, this team is going to be one to keep an eye out for this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Roster-</strong> Kampbell Bryte, [player_tooltip player_id='765628' first='Lyla' last='Chandler'], Tyre Jones, Briley Koalberg, Isabelle Louge, Olivia Miller, Addison Parker, Sophie Sander.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DVA National 18-1-</strong> With the 9th place finish at the Iowa Regional tournament, this team was able to snag a reallocation bid in the American division and gets the opportunity to compete this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Roster- </strong>Ella Halverson, Ellie Howard, Avery Massman, Mckinley Massman, Sari Rein, Kinley Soiney, Dylin Thompson, [player_tooltip player_id='737063' first='Chloe' last='Wiltgen'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Freedom Division</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>319 United 18 SM-</strong> This team was able to lock up a Freedom bid after a third-place finish at the Iowa Regionals, despite being seeded at the bottom coming into the tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Roster-</strong> Taya Snitker, Miyah Stevenson, Timerra Klinghammer, Malloree Nichols, Avery Corcoran, Janiah Downer, Sophia Keys, Keatyn Krauskopf, [player_tooltip player_id='817367' first='Neela' last='Phillips'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["814237"],"_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-69f394676303c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Janiah is a MB on 319 United 18 SM and is a player that I think is going to shock a lot of people in Reno this weekend. Smith played a key role in her team placing third at the Iowa Regionals, despite entering the tournament as the last seed. She continues to stay resilient, composed, and effective on the net. The senior from Columbus Catholic has shown her IQ time and time again, knowing when to go for the high hands or when to pound the ball on the 10-ft line. She is a fun player to watch and will be one of the key players to help her team compete at Nationals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->