Three Pioneer USAV Nationals Qualifiers, Three Tourney Titles

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The MidAmerica Volleyball Academy 15 Select, Northern Kentucky Volleyball Club 16-1 Tsunami and Union Volleyball Club 16 Black teams will be headed to Indianapolis in a few weeks for the USA Volleyball Junior National Championships in Indianapolis. All three won various divisions in the respective final tournaments before then. MAVA 15 Select will play in the 15 National Division with Union 16 Black and NKYVC 16-1 Tsunami teams playing in the 16 Open Division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The MAVA 16 Select team (pictured) won the 15 Open Division in the Prep Dig Gauntlet in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin over the weekend. The team lost just one set on the way to the crown. That marked the third tournament win of the season. The team knocked off Norther Lights 15-2, 2-0 (25-19, 25-17) to win the crown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The NKYVC 16-1 team captured the Junior Volleyball Academy Summerfest 16 Open Division for the third tournament win of the season May 30 and 31. The team knocked off Legacy 16-1 Adidas, 2-1 (16-25, 25-21, 15-10) to win the crown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Union 16-1 Black team won its third tournament this year on May 31 taking the Southern Exposure 16 Open Crown in Atlanta. The team beat A5 15 Kelly in the title game, 2-0 (25-15, 25-21).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Performers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["875414"],"_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-6a2742916a1aa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Droppelman hit the court for the first time since early April coming off an injury. Droppelman said it took her time to get back into the game flow, but she made a difference when she hit that point she was at before the injury. Droppelman has an outstanding vertical jump, extension and finish on her attacks. She uses her size to hit over blocks with her high attack point. She often beats blocks before they form. When lines open up, Droppelman makes the in-air adjustments to smack balls there. Droppelman is also not afraid to tip balls off blocks for big points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["755107"],"_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-6a274623b3fd2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wathen is a hustler on the court for 15 Select. Wathen does a good job eying hitters and trying to beat balls to their desinations on the floor. The libero drops back, but keeps her body faced toward the targets to make crip passes. Wathen is efficient at both serve receive and first touches. Wathen has developed solid range. She puts out one arm to keep plays alive if needed. Some work is needed on her ball control, but it has come a long way throughout her career.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["727131"],"_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-6a274623b4031"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tilden has found her own way to define defense. Tilden digs up most balls that come near her with her solid ball control. Tilden has taken steps to turn into a sound all-around player with a good vertical jump. Tilden patrols the back row with authority. Tilden makes crisp passes then gets into attack mode quickly to take good swings. Tilden has also improved her serving. She mixes things up, but can paint the back line for big points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["851639"],"_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-6a274f52eb790"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hamilton has given 16 Black a good weapon from the pins. She does not hit into blocks, but makes various adjustments to terminate balls. Hamilton can rainbow balls to opposite corners and send across sound crosses. Hamilton continues to better balls when she takes the court. She also possesses a tough jump serve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Note from Writer</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mike Graham has been writing for Prep Dig for two years and has enjoyed getting to know the volleyball scenes in Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee. If you liked the story, please copy and paste to X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. You may also follow us at @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigkentucky/#">prepdigkentucky</a>, @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigtennessee/#">prepdigtennessee</a>&nbsp;or @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigoh/#">prepdigoh</a>&nbsp;on Instagram in addition to @PrepDigKy, @PrepDigTN or @PrepDigOH on X. If you feel someone in Kentucky, Tennessee or Ohio needs coverage or even have feedback on the Kentucky or Tennessee rankings, please email Mike at michaelgraham@prepdig.com. You may also follow him on X @GMCgrah or Instagram @g.michaelgraham. Subscriptions give you access to exclusive content. For a 30% discount on yearly subscriptions, enter code graham30 at checkout.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->