Recap: How did the California teams do at the PNQ Week One?

<p>SPOKANE, WA - Last weekend was week one of the Pacific Northwest Qualifier. For the 18s, it’s the last qualifier to try to secure a bid for nationals. For 15 Open, 15 USA, 16s, and 17s it was another opportunity to try to score a bid. Several teams from California made the trip to battle for a bid and several definitely made their mark in the qualifier. Absolute Black 15-1 and Norcal 15-1 from the Northern California region took 1st and 2nd in the 15 Open, while Mizuno LB Rockstar C from the Southern California region took 3rd. Forza1 North 15 UA took 1st in 15 USA, Sunshine 16 Westside took 1st in 16 American, while Actyve 16 Black took 1st in 16 Liberty. Mizuno LB Rockstar T took 1st in the 16 Open with a record of 8-1 while Norcal Black 16-1 took 2nd in 16 Liberty. Absolute Pink 17-2 took 1st in 17 American, Rage 17-Westside took 3rd in 17 Liberty, while Norcal Black 17-1 took 4th in 17 Open. For the 18s, Delta Valley 18-1 went 8-0 en route to 1st place in 18 Liberty and it was an all-California podium in the 18 Open with Mizuno LB Rockstar J going 9-0 taking 1st, Absolute Black 18-1 taking 2nd, and Rage 18 Westside in 3rd.</p> <p>With so many teams from California doing well in Spokane, there were several standouts that helped their teams get to the podium.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="162742" first="Adonia" last="Faumuina"], 6’1” OH/Opposite, Mizuno LB 18 Rockstar J<br /> Mizuno went 9-0 in the tournament and she was a big reason they didn’t drop a match. A great jumper, she hits high and scores easily from either pin and it’s easy to see why she is a UA All-American. She can also set if needed, which makes her a very valuable and versatile player. She is committed to USC.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="161462" first="Leah" last="Wilton-LaBoy"], 5’9” Setter, Absolute Black 18-1<br /> A setter that’s really fun to watch, an emotional leader on her team with excellent location and speed. She’s very quick to get to the ball and distributes it very well, giving her hitters great point-scoring opportunities. She also has great chemistry with her hitters. She is committed to Utah State.</p> <p>Rachel Grier, 6’4” Middle, Norcal Black 17-1<br /> At 6’4”, this middle has good size to go with good speed and coordination. She is aggressive at the net and runs a good variety of sets, including running behind the setter very well. She was a key in helping her team to a 4th place finish at the PNQ. She is committed to the University of New Hampshire.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="162772" first="Charlie" last="Fuerbringer"], 5’11” Setter/Opposite, Mizuno LB 16 Rockstar T<br /> A smooth setter with an impressive volleyball pedigree, she also has a whip quick arm when she hits in the front row. She has a great volleyball IQ and seems older and wiser than her age. She ran the offense with ease which was a big reason her team finished 1st in 16 Open.</p> <p>Beatrix McMillin, Libero, Actyve 16-Black<br /> A very quick and active libero, with consistent passing that allows the team to always be in system and for the setter to run plays smoothly. It was a key contribution for the team to go undefeated in 16 Liberty. She was also very effective from the service line, scoring points with her short serve.</p> <p>Cierra Grant, 5’10” Setter, Forza1 North 15 UA<br /> Forza1 battled through the last two matches of the gold bracket and went three sets in both to take first in 15 USA. Her serving in the final was instrumental in going on the initial point run of the third set. She has an accurate float with great velocity, which got the opposing team in passing trouble. She’s fast and was quick to the ball when she was setting and also played great defense.</p> <p>Elena Fisher, Outside Hitter, Absolute Black 15-1<br /> Absolute only dropped one set in the entire tournament and this OH was a big contributor. She has a fast arm swing with a mean cross court shot, she transitions very well which enables her to take a dynamic approach. A very stable 6-rotation player with solid serve receive and can handle being a go-to attacker.</p> <p>It will be exciting to watch how the teams that earned a bid do at USAV Nationals (4/22 - 4/24 in Phoenix, AZ for the 18s &amp; 6/23 - 7/4 in Indianapolis, IN for all other ages).</p>