JVA SummerFest Recap & Standouts

The action never stops for top Michigan club teams. With the JVA World Challenge on tap this weekend, Michigan put forth a successful showing last weekend at JVA SummerFest in Columbus. Multiple champions came from the mitten, while a lot of top-10 finishes were secured as well. Here’s a recap of the Open divisions and some names that led their respective teams to success. <h4>16 Open</h4> Legacy 16-1 Adidas added another championship to its collection for the 2021 club season by winning the 16 Open with a perfect 7-0 weekend. Legacy dropped just two sets throughout the event, but grinded out a pair of three-set wins in the process over Tri-State Elite 16 Blue and Mintonette Sports – m.61. In the final, Legacy swept Adidas KIVA 16 Red by scores of 25-18, 25-18. Abby Reck recorded championship point on a tip, continuing to showcase her high court IQ. She’s really had a big club season. [player_tooltip player_id="66319" first="Harper" last="Murray"] again excelled as a six-rotation outside, while [player_tooltip player_id="66309" first="Nina" last="Horning"] continues to be a great compliment to her on the outside. [player_tooltip player_id="66313" first="Erin" last="Kline"] raises the game of her hitters with her precise sets and footwork. [player_tooltip player_id="66340" first="Sarah" last="Vellucci"] has been an unsung hero in the back row throughout the year as well, adding another solid performance last weekend. Michigan Elite 16 Mizuno finished tied for ninth with a 3-2 record on the weekend. They started 3-0, but suffered a pair of closes defeats in Gold Bracket play. [player_tooltip player_id="66316" first="Remi" last="Madison"] and [player_tooltip player_id="66303" first="Paige" last="Giehtbrock"] hit over .340 during their 3-0 start, while [player_tooltip player_id="108714" first="Taryn" last="Rice"] passed a 2.50. [player_tooltip player_id="66302" first="Olivia" last="Gardner"] also had a nice weekend in the middle, hitting .442 while racking up 12 blocks. MVA 16 Black finished 2-3 for the weekend and placed 19th. [player_tooltip player_id="110292" first="Zoey" last="Dood"], a 2024 prospect, continues to shine at setter, working well with her hitters. <h4>17 Open</h4> It was a strong showing for a lot of Michigan programs in the 17 Open, as Legacy 17-1 Adidas finished third, while Michigan Elite 17 Mizuno and MVA 17 Black each tied for fifth. Legacy had some real battles throughout the weekend, including a 33-31 set with Mintonette Sports – m.71 in a three-set loss. However, they came through with a pair of three-set wins in Gold Bracket play before falling to eventual Open champ, Metro 17 Travel 25-21, 25-16. They also earned a tough 25-23, 25-21 win over Michigan Elite in Power Pool play. Even with some notable injuries, Legacy showed it can still compete with the best. Defensively play by [player_tooltip player_id="24860" first="Summer" last="Jidas"] is a big reason as to why. Michigan Elite was 2-3 on the weekend, with two of the three losses to semifinalists. MVA was 4-1 on the weekend, with the lone loss coming to Mintonette 15-25, 25-22, 15-8. Abbie Zylstra was a force for MVA for the weekend, finishing consistently from the left and back row. [player_tooltip player_id="24851" first="Brooklyn" last="Conner"] continues to be a difference maker in the middle with her length and athleticism. <h4>15 Open</h4> Legacy 16-1 ADIDAS placed tied for third with a 6-1 record for the weekend. The lone loss was to Tri-State Elite 15 Blue in the semifinals, 25-19, 25-15. Legacy showed a lot of grit during the event, pulling out three three-set victories. Lucy Mott put together a strong effort to lead the team from the setter position. She finished with 124 assists, 20 kills and 11 aces. During bracket play, [player_tooltip player_id="110297" first="Brooke" last="Foucher"] hit .318 while [player_tooltip player_id="110282" first="Mallory" last="Bohl"] hit .308 and finished with 17 kills. Michigan Elite 15 Mizuno landed in 14th position, with both losses on the weekend coming in three-set battles. MVA 15 Black landed 21st, winning the Copper Bracket of the 15 Open with two-set wins over A2 15 Green and VA Elite 15’s during bracket play. Libero [player_tooltip player_id="110290" first="Hope" last="Davies"] was a standout for MVA, really putting in the effort all around the court. <h4>18’s Division</h4> Dead Frog 18 Black walked away with the championship in the lone 18U division at Summerfest, going 6-0 for the weekend while dropping just one set. Their final in the Gold Bracket saw them pick up a 25-18, 25-15 win over A. 18 Navy. COVID sidelined some of the Dead Frog roster early in the club season, but the team has really been playing at a high level in the last month. Included in the 18U roster are 2022 prospects [player_tooltip player_id="24838" first="Lyse" last="Bates"], [player_tooltip player_id="24864" first="Alia" last="Mastromatteo"] and Olivia Sturgeon. <h4>14 Open</h4> For a sign of things to come in the Class of 2025, Michigan landed two teams in the top eight of the 14 Open. Legacy 14-1 ADIDAS came through with the Open championship, going a perfect 7-0 on the weekend. Michigan Elite 14 Mizuno finished fifth with a 5-1 record. Legacy dropped just a single set the entire weekend, which came in a 25-23, 20-25, 16-14 win over Boiler Jrs 141E Gold in the championship match. Setter Campbell Flynn capped off a strong weekend showing with a dump to score championship point. Michigan Elite saw its only loss come against NKYVC 14-1 Tsumani by scores of 29-27, 25-16. Those were the only two set the team dropped for the weekend. They hit .237 as a team for the weekend, with outside hitter Isabelle Busignani leading the way with 50 kills while hitting .347.