Libero Huskies 13 Win Gold in AAU Spirit Division

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Normally, I don't write about 13s but there are always exceptions. Especially when they win a gold at a National Championship. The Libero Huskies 13 team, many of whom have been playing with the club since they were ten won the Spirit Division in the AAU National Championship. They did this despite losing their first match of the day to 575 Gavin 25-18, 21-25 15-17.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fortunately for Libero they watched Miami Wave take down 575 Gavin 25-13, 25-21, then went on to beat Miami Wave 25-23, 25-23. With all three teams tied at 1-1 Libero won the set tie breaker with a 3-2 record. They also won the crossover match against IA Juniors 15-25, 25-23, 15-9. This advanced them to the first division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Again, they did not look like a championship team when they lost their first match of the second day to OT Ike 25-18, 22-25, 11-15. Fortunately, they bounced back again to win their next two matches to finish second in their pool, enough to stay in the hunt for the championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the remainder of the tournament they played like champions, not losing another match, even the early Am first matches. The crucial win was a three set victory over Metro East Black in a challenge match to see who would advance to gold 25-3, 17-25, 15-5. Once in the gold they won all three of their matches, two of them by three sets. The last match final against McHenry C they won 25-21, 21-25, 15-13.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All American honors went to <strong>Emma Routman</strong> and <strong>Dassine Kechabia</strong>. The MVP honors went to <strong>Leyla Mehmetoglu</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Libero will have two teams play in the Junior Nationals in Indianapolis, Libero Huskies 15 and 16 will both play in the American Division. Libero is one of those rising clubs to keep an eye on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Libero 15 a player to watch:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["888291"],"_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-6a396d3f5ea30"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>Emma Routman</strong> is the younger sister of Kelsey. She helped the Libero Huskies win the gold medal in the Spirit Division at AAUs. Emma won a spot on the All American team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kelsy will play for the 15 team in the American Division at Junior Nationals. She made the varsity team for Thomas Jefferson this past season as an outside hitter. She led her team in kills while playing six rotations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Perhaps an interesting player to take a look at.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And for Libero 16 you have:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["934826"],"_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-6a396d3f5eb0f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She debuted in our class of 2028 rankings at 170 but the Junior Nationals will give me a second opportunity to take a look at her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a sophomore she earned a spot on the Cedar District first team. She also won the hustle and heart award for her high school team. She has good length for a middle and a quick wrist snap that puts the ball to the floor quickly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another player from the Libero Huskies worth a watch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->