<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>These veterans defended the Heart of America Region.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Kansas City's annual Show Me Qualifier draws top-tier club teams from every corner of the country. However, we always have to keep an eye on the local Kansas crews when bids are at stake in Bartle Hall.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Last weekend's event was the perfect opportunity for me to kick off my escalating coverage on the Prep Dig Kansas site. We still have a long way to go before we have the knowledge base for a rankings update, but events like Show Me help us along the way.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>The nearby 17s crews were particularly effective in home territory. These seasoned stars brought their best and left a lasting impression on this Nebraska visitor.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Here are some of the highlights.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Manhattan Mayhem 17P</span></strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Was there any doubt?</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Our Iowa Clash champs were tabbed as a team to watch heading into the Show Me Qualifier, and Manhattan Mayhem did more than back up that hype. How about a 17 USA title?</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>17P had already claimed a 17 Liberty bid through NEQ, but the team aimed higher in Kansas City. Dominant performances from [player_tooltip player_id='807871' first='Bailey' last='Busch'], [player_tooltip player_id='483912' first='Gretchen' last='Bott'], and [player_tooltip player_id='828207' first='Drew' last='Bruna'] lifted Manhattan Mayhem to a perfect Show Me record and a 17 USA championship.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Upgrade complete.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/2043699164018581572?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} -->
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/2043699164018581572?s=20
</div></figure>
<!-- /wp:embed -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">[program_tooltip program_id='430200' first='KC' last='[program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last='']'] 17-2</span></strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Manhattan Mayhem wasn't the only Heart of America group to upgrade its Liberty bid at last weekend's event.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>[program_tooltip program_id='430200' first='KC' last='[program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last='']'] 17-2 climbed the ladder with a 6-2 mark and a podium finish in the 17 USA race. This upstart group brought some of its best volleyball on Sunday, pushing past MVA, MN Select, and Metro to reach the Gold bracket. A Monday win over rival Kansas contender KNVBC put [program_tooltip program_id='430200' first='KC' last='[program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last='']'] in the semifinals to lock up the bid.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>This 17-2 roster features standouts like [player_tooltip player_id='525973' first='Dakota' last='Fraase'], [player_tooltip player_id='544703' first='Hadley' last='Clevenger'], [player_tooltip player_id='812339' first='Charlotte' last='Becker'], and many other athletes I've been fortunate to cover on the regional circuit. My visits to KC showcase events placed some of these names on my radar, and I can't wait to follow their progress to Indy.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">[program_tooltip program_id='428889' first='Dynasty' last=''] 17 Black</span></strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>No surprise here.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>[program_tooltip program_id='428889' first='Dynasty' last=''] 17 Black already had its Open bid in hand, so the Show Me Qualifier was all about upping those live reps. [player_tooltip player_id='480396' first='Peyton' last='Kubik'] and [player_tooltip player_id='446321' first='Madison' last='Maximuk'] had their typical takeover moments in the frontcourt, but termination wasn't the only strength for 17 Black. [player_tooltip player_id='830841' first='Camryn' last='Minatee'] had an incredibly productive outing in the libero jersey and primed those elite attackers for success.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>A 7-1 run at Show Me has added to [program_tooltip program_id='428889' first='Dynasty' last='']'s vast resume. The only thing keeping the team out of the final bracket was a brutal triple tiebreaker in Monday's Gold pool. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:image {"id":494767,"width":"224px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"0.668635925499829","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"right"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/Melanee-Mel-Murphy1.jpg?w=684" alt="" class="wp-image-494767" style="aspect-ratio:0.668635925499829;width:224px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Murphy</figcaption></figure>
<!-- /wp:image -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">913 Athletics 17 National</span></strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>We had no shortage of Kansas crews to scout in Show Me's two American divisions.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>913 Athletics 17 National displayed a certain "clutch factor" that brought it up the leaderboard in 17 American Red. The team posted 2-1 records in both waves of pool play, culminating in a crucial crossover win over H2 to reach the Gold bracket.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>The setter duo of [player_tooltip player_id='489446' first='Mel' last='Murphy'] and Rylee Nemechek immediately stands out for 17 National. We're also drawn to the deep cast of middle blockers, led by Claire Bohon and Jazzy Kirk.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>CMVBC 17-1</strong></span></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Yes, we're branching out for this one.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>The title and introduction allude to Kansas teams, but we're considering the entire Heart of America Region here. This brings CMVBC 17-1 into play as one of the top torchbearers for central Missouri.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>This Jefferson City crew locked up its Indianapolis plans with a runner-up finish in the ultra-competitive 17 Liberty division. We were struck by this tight-knit group that boasted balance across the board. Addyson Scherr, Haylee Brauner, and Nora Lock make up a loaded group of pin hitters for 17-1. Alyssa Scherr found the hot hand at the setter spot, and [player_tooltip player_id='526531' first='Hayley' last='Hoffmann'] tied everything together in the back row.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>The Show Me State was ready for its pinnacle event.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
These veterans defended the Heart of America Region.
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue Reading
Already a subscriber?
Log in