Road to June 15th: KS/MO’s Elite 2028 Setter-Hitter Duos

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Why not make it a package deal?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sure, it's a rarity to see prep players stick together from the club ranks to the college level. Scholarships are limited, and players have very different priorities for their individual recruiting journey.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Still, as we look ahead to the start of open recruitment for the Class of 2028, we can't resist the temptation to highlight some dynamic duos.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ironclad setter-hitter connections can define a successful club team, and the Kansas/Missouri corridor has plenty of those. Recruiters will have a close eye on the Sunflower and Show Me states this summer with these elite tandems raising the standard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='808106' first='Sophia' last='Sturdy']</strong> and <strong>Eleanor Reisch</strong> - <em>[program_tooltip program_id='428889' first='Dynasty' last=''] 16 Black</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dynasty duos always deliver.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sturdy and Reisch get the nod here for their versatility and willingness to contribute in multiple phases. We wouldn't expect anything less from Dynasty athletes, who have been persistent standouts at our Prep Dig Circuit events.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>16 Black's offense runs through Sturdy, a spry setter who also brings experience as a frontcourt terminator. She will readily put up blocks against the nation's best left-side attackers. Likewise, Reisch has thrived as an over-the-top scorer who remains a threat out of the middle-back area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Showstopping tenures at Show Me and the Sunshine Classic have set the table for another deep run at the biggest event of all.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Grace Lutman</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='694786' first='Ada' last='Grzella-Skibiski']</strong> - <em>[program_tooltip program_id='428892' first='PVA' last=''] 16 Elite</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This tandem--along with the entire PVA 16 Elite lineup--may be peaking at the right time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Steady improvement has been a hallmark of 16 Elite's Open journey. The team missed out on the Gold bracket at March's Mideast Qualifier, but redemption was in the works. PVA earned a top-ten finish at the Windy City Qualifier and could look ahead to the following week's homestand at Show Me.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lutman and Grzella-Skibiski brought their best when it mattered most. A top-five placement in Kansas City locked up PVA's postseason plans. Lutman ran the show with her familiar style: quick, fearless, and always looking to get involved in the frontcourt. This opened up opportunities for Grzella-Skibiski, a six-rotation mainstay who knows how to pounce on Lutman's up-tempo deliveries.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's the perfect recipe for more breakthroughs at GJNC.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='729549' first='Jaelyn' last='Jordan']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='758466' first='Rylie' last='Bakker']</strong> - <em>MAVS 16 Elite</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This duo has stepped up on every stage imaginable.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Triple Crown NIT provided a stark look at the Jordan-Bakker combo as MAVS 16 Elite roared to a perfect opening-day record. Jordan emerged as a flashy, risk-taking setter who did not need a perfect pass to feed her three attacking options. It's the perfect setup for Bakker, an explosive new addition to 16 Elite's stacked group of middle blockers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>MAVS has ascended to the forefront of the 16s hierarchy in the Heart of America Region. A top-five finish at the Windy City Qualifier helped that cause, and we're excited to see what the postseason stretch will bring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='742595' first='Ensley' last='Fisher']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834151' first='Kenzie' last='Huhman']</strong> - <em>Mizuno [program_tooltip program_id='515493' first='Club' last='North'] 16Angela</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've had a lot to say about Mizuno Club North lately, so let's bring another Missouri machine into the spotlight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fisher is the first part of the equation for Mizuno Club North 16Angela. She brings smooth, fluid jump sets to effectively freeze opposing middle blockers. This perfect rhythm is the prelude to precise sets to the pin, where Huhman has taken the lead for Club North. If you're looking for the hard-hitting centerpiece of 16Angela's net presence, Huhman is a worthy first choice.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Results have backed up the effectiveness of the Fisher-Huhman engine. Club North locked up a 16 USA bid via the Windy City Qualifier and collected some Open experience close to home at Show Me.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Depth is on the rise among the Heart of America's Class of 2028 representatives.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='778345' first='Mia' last='Roberts']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='842569' first='Bailey' last='Zlatanova-Hammonds']</strong> - <em>Invasion 16-Black</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Add Invasion 16-Black to the list of HOA teams consistently raising the bar through the spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Roberts and Zlatanova-Hammonds started the year contending for a 16 Liberty bid, but they didn't take long to shift the narrative. 16-Black hoisted the Gold ball at February's Sunshine Classic, allowing the team to test its 16 USA mettle at Windy City and Show Me. Invasion was a frontrunner at these venues, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>16-Black's leaders have not shied away from escalating challenges. Roberts is physical enough to pilot a 5-1 and offered a stabilizing presence during the USAV gauntlet. Meanwhile, Zlatanova-Hammonds enjoyed an increasing role in Roberts' offense, letting her tool shots and well-placed tips score on either pin.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Invasion will keep dialing in its setter-hitter cohesion while preparing for the big stage this summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->