Top Match-Ups on Day 1 of Summerfest

<!-- wp:heading {"level":6} --> <h6 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Be sure to follow&nbsp;<strong>@lshotvb&nbsp;</strong>on Instagram and Twitter for all things volleyball!</em></h6> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":6} --> <h6 class="wp-block-heading">Use code&nbsp;<strong>LSHOTVBUSAV&nbsp;</strong>and get $10 off your registration for Prep Dig's USAV Showcases,&nbsp;<a href="https://events.prepdig.com/info?website_id=3&event_id=765">Session 1</a>&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;<a href="https://events.prepdig.com/info?website_id=3&event_id=766">Session 2</a>!</h6> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":6} --> <h6 class="wp-block-heading">-</h6> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No better way to kick off the summer than the 2023 JVA Summerfest!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Columbus will host some of the top teams in the country. Many of these teams are in conversation for a national championship summer. With some of the best of the best going toe-to-toe, its not only going to be hot outside, the gym will be a scorcher!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's take a look at some of the top match-ups that you need to see on Day 1 of Summerfest!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">FaR Out 15 Black VS Legacy 15-1 - 15 Open</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is going to be a real fun cross-state battle for these two teams. In the first power pool of the 15 Open division, we are going to see these two Michigan teams put it all on the line for top team in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>FaR Out plays a really well-spread out offense with a lot of physicality at the net. With pins like <strong>Finley Arp</strong> and <strong>Karis Chatfield</strong>, and two mature middles in <strong>Josie Noble</strong> and <strong>Alana Bailey</strong>, the options are endless for this squad. They also have on tap easily one of the top prospects in the 2027 class with L <strong>Mallory Johnson</strong>, playing yet another year on 15 Black.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Legacy, it's a seemingly broken record. <strong>Gabby DiVita</strong>. <strong>Kayla Nwabueze</strong>.<strong> Ella Andrews</strong>. The unstoppable trio of attackers for 15-1 Adidas. If you're fortunate enough to muscle past the block of Nwabueze or Andrews, you're often met with some serious heat by anyone of these three hitters. It doesn't hurt Legacy's odds with a libero as solid as <strong>Maradith Martin</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Metro 15 Travel VS NKYVC 15-1 Tsunami - 15 Open</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This a going to be a great match up of scrappy defense versus a large physical team. Who can outlast the other? I can't wait to find out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Metro's name of the game is brute strength and size. They definitely have that here with their 15 Travel team. With two right side's as dominant as <strong>Nadiya Johnson</strong> and<strong> Emma Gardner</strong>, throw it out to the left pin to <strong>Caydence Doolan</strong> and its game over! This team brings a lot of size at the net that creates big problems for many teams trying to score a point.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Across the net on NKYVC's side, there's definitely going to be a size disadvantage. I wouldn't count them out of this one though. With the attackers like MB<strong> Audrey Dyas</strong>, OPP<strong> Jenna Kitchens</strong> and OH [player_tooltip player_id='227615' first='Callie' last='Combs'], they know how to put a ball away too. S <strong>Addyson Bianchini </strong>knows how to run the offense so smoothly, its hard to keep up. But what keeps them in this game is superb pass and defense, starting with L [player_tooltip player_id='204230' first='Emma' last='Frietch'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Metro 16 Travel VS [program_tooltip program_id='430852' first='Tri-State' last='Elite'] 16 Blue - 16 Open</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a similar fashion to our preview of Metro 15 Travel's match up in the 15 Open. Metro 16 Travel is going to have their hands full with the defensive heavy team of [program_tooltip program_id='430852' first='Tri-State' last='Elite'] 16 Blue.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tri-State may be equipped with one of the best libero's in the country for the 2025 class in [player_tooltip player_id='152052' first='Sakura' last='Codling']. But they can also bring the heat too! Locked up with two dominating forces in the middle with [player_tooltip player_id='152053' first='Ashley' last='Sess'] and [player_tooltip player_id='152055' first='Nia' last='Jones'], their blocking prowess makes the back courts work look easy! Alongside them on the right pin, [player_tooltip player_id='152058' first='Caroline' last='Moore'] is a dominating lefty capable of scoring at an alarming rate!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Metro's side, they got some serious size across the net. Starting with the quarter back of the team, <strong>Isabelle Bardin</strong> does wonders at the setter position standing at 6'2. Her high contact, tempo and offensive ways keeps opponents on constant edge. Bardin has herself a pair of power middles with<strong> Sierra Evans</strong> and <strong>Kristen Moore</strong>. The two are scoring machines whether its on the attack or on the block!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">NKYVC 17-1 Tsunami VS Top Select 17 Elite - 17 Open</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moving onto the 17 Open division, we got two GJNC Open bid teams looking to duke it out in the first power pool.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>NKYVC has been on real roll this season. Triple Crown 17 Elite champions, this team is stacked with the pieces it needs for a championship summer. Led by Washington bound MB <strong>Julia Hunt</strong>, Hunt's physical presence and IQ at the net is unstoppable. Alongside her, <strong>Alivia Skidmore </strong>(Western Kentucky) is the team's go-to outlet on the left pin. All of this offense is directed by Ohio State bound [player_tooltip player_id='139272' first='Abby' last='Yoder'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Top Select's side, the show is ran by the next big thing in Cardinal and White, S <strong>Nayelis Cabello</strong> (Louisville). Cabello's go-to on the pin is Georgetown bound<strong> Dionna Mitchell</strong>. Mitchell can become a walking highlight reel if you give her the chance. On the block, <strong>Cameryn Teasley</strong> (Queens) is as tough as you can get.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">FaR Out 17 Black VS Summit 17 Blue Elite - 17 Open</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not a power pool match, but this is one to watch. I am shocked to see this FaR Out group not in a power pool. After winning a national championship at the 18s Emperor Cup, they bring in the bulk of that roster to 17 Black.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For this group, they're led by a squad of top notch pin attackers in <strong>Isabelle Swiercz </strong>(Central Michigan), <strong>Elana Erickson </strong>(Western Michigan) and <strong>Navea Gauthier</strong>. They'll be led by sophomore S <strong>Abbigail Pickard</strong> in a 5-1 after splitting time with <strong>Corrie Wiser </strong>(Ferris State) on 18 Black.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Summit, they're led by six rotation pin <strong>Jersey Loyer </strong>(Butler). She's joined alongside a pair of dominating middles with <strong>Tia Phinezy </strong>and <strong>Mya Plemons.</strong> This combination of attackers should give FaR Out all that they could handle and more. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>PrepDig is putting on the Stock Up Showcase series across the country for Class of 2024-26 prospects throughout the month of July.&nbsp;</em><a href="https://prepdig.com/stock-up-showcases/?type=Showcase&amp;state=&amp;start_date="><strong><em>Click here</em></strong></a><em>&nbsp;to sign up for YOUR event. You can use promo code “LshotDig2023” for $10 off your registration.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->