Pioneer Region USAV Bid Tourney Preview

<p>Bids to the USAV national tournament are on the line this weekend in northern Kentucky. Teams competing in U12 through U18 divisions will vie for an opportunity to compete on the biggest stage at the end of the club season. Here are some athletes to look for:</p> <p><strong>U18 </strong></p> <p>The top team from NKYVC has good depth and will be the favorite over the other teams in their pool. NKYVC 18-Tsunami features great length and athleticsim of middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="68088" first="Olivia" last="Crowl"]</strong> (committed to Arkansas Tech) and middle/outside hitter <strong>Cate Scheper</strong> as both are a big boost for this team. They get off the floor well and can score and defend. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="68091" first="Torri" last="Wurtz"]</strong> (committed to Thomas More) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="68103" first="Madison" last="McCloskey"]</strong> (committed to Ashland) bring added size and add depth on the pins and in the middle. Setter <strong>Hannah Lukey</strong> (committed to Johnson) runs a good offense.</p> <p>Along with NKYVC 18-Tide and Rise volleyball, Pu5h volleyball from Western Kentucky will be competing, which includes senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="68073" first="Olivia" last="Mitchell"]</strong> who is committed to play next year at Georgetown College.</p> <p><strong>U17</strong></p> <p>NKYVC 17 Tsunami is the heavy favorite with Division talent such as high flying middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="68127" first="Taylor" last="Preston"]</strong> (committed to Oklahoma), libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="68129" first="Abby" last="Schaefer"]</strong> (committed to Western Kentucky), and setter <strong>Cora Taylor</strong> (committed to Butler). This team has national-level talent that should compete well if qualifed to the championship event. Uncommitted athletes to look for include the athletic skills of outside hitter <strong>Brooklynne Darby </strong>and the versatile <strong>Elena Dubic</strong>.</p> <p>Union 17-1 should certainly compete well with libero <strong>Reese Speed</strong> (committed to Georgetown) leading their ball control and defensive effort. Uncommitted athletes that should make a big impact include 6’2 middle/opposite <strong>Mary Schneidtmiller,</strong> 5’10 setter <strong>Ella Teeley</strong>, 5’11 middle <strong>Kamori Knight</strong>, and 5’9 outside hitter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="104550" first="Kayla" last="Bryant"]</strong>.</p> <p><strong>U16</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="68147" first="Maya" last="Hunt"]</strong> is the setter for the NKYVC 16-Tsunami squad and, at 5’10, is one of the best young setters in Kentucky. She has plenty of offensive options that include 6’1 outside <strong>Ava Siefke</strong>, 6’2 middle <strong>Cayla Jackson</strong>, and the dynamic and athletic arm of outside/middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="106678" first="Sydney" last="Nolan"]</strong>, who at 6’2 helped her Notre Dame squad to a state title in 2020. </p> <p>Union 16-1 brings some good size that includes 6’4 middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="106690" first="Meredith" last="Brown"]</strong>, and fellow middles in <strong>Cali Cummings</strong> and <strong>Maddie Hagan</strong>, both at 6’0 tall. Two of their pin options include <strong>Caroline Hilbrich</strong> and <strong>Julia McNeley</strong> with setter <strong>Julia Purichia</strong> running the show on the offensive side. </p>