Players That Pushed Through Round 1: 3A Regions 5-8

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moving on to the backend of 3A, we will be covering regions 5-8. Here are your scoreboards, evals, and more. Follow me on Instagram to stay up to date with the Regional and State Tournaments: @Prepdigmarissa.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">REGION 5</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Solon defeats Central Lee</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Solon has continued to show why they're going to be a top contender for the 3A state title. The Spartans came out strong and flew through the first round of the regional tournament with a sweep against Central Lee. They finished the night with scores of 25-6, 25-3, and 25-7. Solon has been doing a fantastic job of playing together as a team, and everyone is finding ways to be key contributors. The Spartans will be hosting the Comets on Thursday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["720363"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad9815d3aeeb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='720363' first='Scarlett' last='Ferin'] has been such a strong piece of the Spartan program. The senior setter has been playing with such selflessness all season and tries to help her team however she can. She is an incredibly smart setter and does a great job reading her opponents and uses her quick reaction time to make the smartest play possible. Defensively she puts up a strong block and moves well on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">West Liberty defeats Washington</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West Liberty fought hard through their first round of the regional tournament, taking care of Washington in 3 (27-25, 25-18, 25-18). The Comets have continued to show up and compete game after game and have been continuing to improve week after week. Although the semifinal match is going to be a tough one, I think that West Liberty is going to put up a good fight. The Comets will be on the road and facing Solon on Thursday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">REGION 6</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Center Point Urbana defeats Vinton-Shellsburg</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I was expecting Center Point Urbana to hold Vinton-Shellsburg under ten points throughout the matches, but VS came in ready to push CPU and give it their absolute all. The Stormin Pointers finished the night in three sets with the end scores being 25-14, 25-15, 25-11. Center Point has been one of the teams to beat this season and is expected to make a run in the post season so I'm excited to see how they compete in the next two games. CPU will be hosting Mid-Prairie on Thursday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Mid-Prairie defeats Fairfield</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mid Prairie has been a fun group to watch so far this season and I'm excited that we get to see them in the semifinals. The Golden Hawks fought hard against the Trojans and managed to get the job done in three sets (25-17, 25-22, 25-18). This group has an incredible amount of depth and not only have they done well this season, but they have an incredibly bright future ahead as well. Mid-Prairie will be facing off against CPU on Thursday, and call me crazy, but I think they have a fighting chance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["775157"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad9815d3af25"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='775157' first='Jeorgia' last='Evans'] has been one of my favorite players to watch so far this season. Her versatility and ability to make a major impact from anywhere on the court is so fun to watch. At a first glance, you don't quite know what to expect if you haven't watched her play before. However, it doesn't take much for her to draw in you with her ability to jump out of the gym and the power she wields with her swing. The Iowa State commit is one you'll definitely want to watch any chance you get.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">REGION 7</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Van Meter defeats Chariton</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Van Meter has been pretty impressive throughout the season and I think they have a fighting chance to make it to the state tournament. The Bulldogs flew through the first round, knocking Chariton out in three sets (25-15, 25-10, 25-12). I think that if they come into this next match with the same energy and aggression we've seen throughout the season they have the potential to make it to the regional final. Van Meter will be heading to Kuemper Catholic on Thursday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">REGION 8</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Mount Vernon defeats Maquoketa</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mount Vernon came into the first round of the regional tournament ready to make a statement, and that's exactly what they did. The Mustangs shut down the Cardinals with ease and ended the night 25-16, 25-8, 25-14. You can tell this group is determined to get back to the state tournament and make their mark. It has been a lot of fun watching this group battle and grow throughout the season and I'm excited to see how they continue to flourish in the postseason. Mount Vernon will be hosting Monticello on Thursday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1054572"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad9815d3af4e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1054572' first='Stella' last='Merino'] has been having quite the season and playing a big role in the Mustangs success. Merino, only being a freshman has racked up 131 kills on the season and isn't slowing down in the post season. She has been incredibly consistent, disciplined, and smart with her swings. Defensively Stella puts up a strong block and isn't afraid to step in a dig a ball. I am so excited to see how she continues to grow and contribute to the Mustang program. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Wilton defeats Camanche</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wilton has been a team that has been keeping their head down and just grinding week after week and it looks like post season won't be any different. The Beavers shut down Camanche after three tough sets (25-22, 25-19, 25-13). Wilton may not be the tallest team, but they make up for it with their smart offense and scrappy defense. The Beavers will be hosting Tipton on Thursday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->