Gateway Middle School Girls Regional Championships Recap

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gateway Middle School Girls Regional Championships Weekend 2 concluded, and here are some of my takeaways, top teams, and key players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='428820' first='Team' last='Momentum'] 14 Navy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team MO</strong> left no doubt all weekend; they were the top team, going 6-0 and 12-0 in sets, allowing only one team to reach the 15-point mark. <strong>Salem Rhodes</strong> is one name you need to remember. The lefty was the best player all weekend, a heavy-ball hitter who plays well above her 14 age group. <strong>Olivia Neske</strong> runs the quick-paced offense with her precise sets to the pins. <strong>Vivian Borgmeyer</strong>, a 6'1” middle, is still raw but impressive. <strong>Alyssa Luoma</strong> is an outstanding libero who has mastered the position, and <strong>Kai Jenkins</strong> is a destructive middle who is quick to the pins and can deliver powerful hits. The team is well-coached, fluid on defense, and has already secured a bid to nationals. Can't wait to see what they can achieve at the national level!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NSSC 14 Nike</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another team with talent all over the court, they finished with a 6-1 record and 13-3 in sets. <strong>Vivien Garman</strong> is a promising setter who feeds big pin hitters <strong>Emma Vick</strong>, <strong>Meredith LeGrand</strong>, and <strong>Ava Estes</strong>, while <strong>Nevaeh Belcher</strong> is tough in the middle. This team has the talent to be a top 10 team in the Gateway Region, but consistency is key.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PVA 14 Gray</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even though <strong>PVA</strong> didn't finish in the top half, they have a solid group led by the dynamite outside/middle hitter, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='963751' first='Emma' last='Brown']</strong>. <strong>Sydney Meyer</strong> is another player who plays middle and delivers a great roll shot over the block or consistently pounds the ball to the corners. Both players were among the top performers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blue Steel 14 Gray</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BSVBC 14 Gray</strong> finished the weekend with a 2-3 record and 6-7 in sets, highlighted by <strong>Samantha Jacob</strong>, a versatile pin hitter with an impressive jump serve, and libero <strong>Cayleigh Mason</strong>, who was all over the court making terrific plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MOVA U14 Black</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A really strong finish for U14 Black, going 4-2 with losses only to the top two teams. Led by a captain and a really nice setter, <strong>Maya Medina</strong>, two pin hitters, <strong>Sienna Tighe</strong> and <strong>Nora Drobish</strong>, and the never-say-die libero,<strong> Isabelle Deuser</strong>, 14 Black left a solid impression.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->