JVA Summerfest Watch-List: 17 Open

<p class="p1">We're coming down to the wire. A few more weeks and we're in the midst of the cumulation of the 22 club season and nationals!</p> <p class="p1">We still have a stop in Columbus for a lot of teams, as a last minute tune up before prepping for the end of June!</p> <p class="p1">Coming in hot to the 2022 JVA Summerfest in Columbus, here are some <strong>uncommitted(!)</strong> players to watch in the 17 Open!</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="108755" first="Bella" last="Austin"] (2023) - 6'0 OH - L2 </p> <p>This L2 squad is chock full of uncommitted dandies looking for their next landing spot in 2023, [player_tooltip player_id="108755" first="Bella" last="Austin"] is one of the big ones to keep an eye on when watching. Austin has a great approach to the game and has a high contact when attacking the ball which has proven hard to defend.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="110292" first="Zoey" last="Dood"] (2024) - 6'2 S - MVA</p> <p>The 2024 class is not at all short of elite prospects in the setter position, so much that they're playing up an age group. [player_tooltip player_id="110292" first="Zoey" last="Dood"] is one of the top setters in the 2024 class and playing in the 17 Open this weekend in Columbus. A lefty running the show, Dood loves to call her own number on two and score pretty effectively. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="106670" first="Alexis" last="Strong"] (2023) - 6'1 OH/OPP - KIVA</p> <p>KIVA has a pretty stacked roster of high fliers and heavy hitters. [player_tooltip player_id="106670" first="Alexis" last="Strong"] is one of them that have yet to commit and one you don't want to leave on the table too long. Strong is pretty fitting as Strong has a pretty powerful swing on either pin and can score at a high level.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="66342" first="Kendall" last="White"] (2023) - 5'3 L - Five:1</p> <p>There are a lot of top notch defenders coming into this tournament uncommitted, somehow. [player_tooltip player_id="66342" first="Kendall" last="White"] is an elite libero playing for Five:1 and is easily the heartbeat of her squad. White is a scrappy defender and a huge piece of the reception for Five:1. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="108718" first="Erin" last="Madigan"] (2023) - 6'1 S - Legacy</p> <p>It's quite something to admire when a club program can send both of their top teams into an open division, especially one as competitive as the 17's. A big reason Legacy can do this is to the setting of [player_tooltip player_id="108718" first="Erin" last="Madigan"]. Proving time and again throughout the season, Madigan can hang with the best of the best and has been growing exponentially throughout the club season. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="110323" first="Alexis/Lexi" last="Smith"] (2023) - 5'3 L - Legacy</p> <p>Like the setter position, Legacy has a deep bench of liberos to their disposal. [player_tooltip player_id="110323" first="Alexis/Lexi" last="Smith"] is apart of the triple force of defenders on the 1s team for Legacy. At the <a href="https://prepdig.com/2022/05/legacy-has-dominant-weekend-in-the-open-at-ix-center/">The Open</a>, Smith took over the reigns due to missing members and showed up and showed out, proving her capabilities as a high level libero</p> <p><img class="alignright" src="https://scontent.fdet1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/285284052_1153893298745616_4085333133305711505_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&amp;ccb=1-7&amp;_nc_sid=a26aad&amp;_nc_ohc=Tiz9mejCmb8AX-iNssW&amp;_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-2.fna&amp;oh=00_AT9wTRlSSybDTfLp3P0IDO1MGBigw4lbvgNaajnSu1iNYA&amp;oe=629E1113" alt="May be an image of 1 person and text" width="178" height="178" /></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="66334" first="Neele'ge'" last="Sims"] (2023) - 6'1 MB - Michigan Elite</p> <p><span style="font-size: 1rem;">How a top tier program hasn't snatched this one up yet is beyond me, but she's still here and she's getting better and better. [player_tooltip player_id="66334" first="Neele'ge'" last="Sims"] has been having a breakout 2022 season and recently was named a top performer at the Prep Dig Gauntlet in Milwaukee.</span></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="66297" first="Kalliann" last="Cook"] (2023) - 5'3 L - Michigan Elite</p> <p>Going forward, can we stop sleeping on Michigan defenders? This is the third on my list and somehow uncommitted! [player_tooltip player_id="66297" first="Kalliann" last="Cook"] heads up Michigan Elite's trio of defenders and is one of the best to do it. Relentless in defense and tough as nails in reception, Cook is not a player to mess with.</p> <p><strong>Nayelis Cabello</strong> (2024) - 6'0 S - Top Select<br /> Like Dood, <strong>Nayelis Cabello</strong> is another 2024 setter playing up with the big dogs. She doesn't play though, she runs the show. Cabello is as athletic as they come at the setter position and can come up with some gnarly plays at the net and off too. If you watch her court this weekend, you may just see another <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@nayeliscabello/video/7099453992274644267?is_from_webapp=1&amp;sender_device=pc&amp;web_id=7073610602543990315">Tik Tok Viral</a> worthy play!</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="66321" first="Aubriegh" last="Oswald"] (2023) - 6'2 MB - FaR Out</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="66321" first="Aubriegh" last="Oswald"] is a big presence in the middle for FaR Out. Springy off the ground and a fast swing, Oswald is a very dynamic attacker that's hard to slow down. She's a huge block and will be a go-to weapon for her squad throughout the weekend.</p>