Ohio Dominates Central Zone 16 Open

NKYVC 16 Tsunami claimed the Central Zone 16 Open division with a 9-1 overall record. A team mixed with Cincinnati area prospects as well as athletes from northern Kentucky, they led an arsenal of great play involving Ohio teams that claimed the top four places in the event.   For #2 seeded NKYVC, their Ohio prospects include six-rotation pin [player_tooltip player_id='227615' first='Callie' last='Combs'], the ball control and defense of [player_tooltip player_id='204230' first='Emma' last='Frietch'], setter [player_tooltip player_id='368391' first='Kirsten' last='Kemper'], setter/opposite [player_tooltip player_id='339082' first='Addy' last='Bianchini'], and middle [player_tooltip player_id='227798' first='Maddie' last='Steele']. All of these athletes were significant contributors to this team's big effort and success a season ago. Combs and Frietch are among the best in their roles in the Cincy area including pairing well to handle a lot of their first-contact work. This season they added 6'1 [player_tooltip player_id='227799' first='Sophia' last='Richardson'] in the middle who helps to increase their presence between the pins on both sides of the ball. Their path on the final day was challenging as they persevered with consecutive three-set wins to get to the semis before needing extra points and being pushed to the wire in the semis. It was another third-set win in the finals over a very good [program_tooltip program_id='431827' first='Elevation' last=''] team that sealed the title and shows this team's mettle as the get ready for Triple Crown and GJNC qualifying season.   [program_tooltip program_id='431827' first='Elevation' last=''] 16 Goller was the runner-up in this event having competed well all weekend with just one other loss coming on day one. They perhaps had the toughest path to the finals on the second day with the juggernaut of Mintonette m.61 in their path. They handled the #1 overall seed well like no other team has as they defeated them in convincing 2-0 fashion. Highlights involve the arm of pin hitter [player_tooltip player_id='227628' first='Sidney' last='Sprada'] as she continues to solidify herself as one of the best pins in this Ohio class. Setter [player_tooltip player_id='227619' first='Makenna' last='Kirlin'] had some stock rising moments as she led a good offense while looking more effective and confident in setting against the flow, finding her own moments to score on the second contact, and in her ability to defend at the net. The 5'11 [player_tooltip player_id='524607' first='Sophie' last='Davis'] was a factor as well on the right pin that helped spread their offense. She takes an aggressive swing and benefitted from Kirlin's ability to get her the ball when on the move. This is a team that should make a big impact during the qualifying season and into the GJNC later this summer.   By the perceived standards for Mintonette this was a tough event given they rarely experience the losing side of a match. Credit goes to the level of play in this age group in Ohio alone given how the best teams in the event competed a high rate all weekend. Still, Mintonette is one of the premier teams nationally and have been for some time meaning that opponents are going to give them their best shot. This group powered through two tough opponents in three-set fashion to meet up with [program_tooltip program_id='431827' first='Elevation' last=''] in the semis. One standout athlete was [player_tooltip player_id='227629' first='Alia' last='Schoonover']. Her work in the middle phase of the game is unmatched regarding her movement and the choices she makes around the setter and through her arm control. Her relationship with setter [player_tooltip player_id='227802' first='Mallory' last='Matheny'] through the slide option is one of the best at any level given their timing, tempo, and rate of success. [player_tooltip player_id='524605' first='Abigail' last='Buckner'] is new to this team this season and she showed some good command in the libero role at times, which includes good quickness around the court. Setter [player_tooltip player_id='524602' first='Izzy' last='Scholvin'] also showed good command and distribution when entering in at the setting role to help this team maintain their full offensive presence at the net.   To some, the success of TVC 16 Black may be a surprise given how they defeated some great opponents in the likes of top 16U teams from Legacy and Sport Performance. However, this team is not without talent as proven by some of the effort and success last year and then through the impact some of them made this most recent fall high school season. They advanced to the semis on day two and took the eventual champion to the wire losing by scores of 23-25, 24-26. Their offense goes through the dynamic effort of setter [player_tooltip player_id='261337' first='Hayden' last='Rodriguez']. She can make things happen in ways that creates good tempo and space for her attackers in addition to her ability to make tough plays look easy. At 5'11, outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='403527' first='Leah' last='Pike'] can elevate and move the ball around with pace and range. [player_tooltip player_id='227830' first='Mallory' last='Pike'] in the middle produces a lot on both sides of the ball and has ability to put a ton of pressure on opponents with her arm and her presence defensively. This trio is a core group that drives their effort. Others to keep an eye on as they get into the heart of their season include [player_tooltip player_id='403528' first='Mia' last='Hasty'], a capable arm but perhaps more of an impact in their ball control effort. [player_tooltip player_id='412607' first='Jessica' last='Kennelly'] also has good tools to help control the first touch phase in serve receive and defense. Her consistency is a factor for this team's middle strength to get ample opportunities. [player_tooltip player_id='479389' first='Molly' last='Malone'] is another middle that can produce offensively. At 5'11, she can get off the floor quickly with good space to swing while also showing good blocking footwork and penetration to slow down opposing hitters. Be sure to pay good attention to this team in the coming weeks.

NKYVC 16 Tsunami claimed the Central Zone 16 Open division with a 9-1 overall record. A team mixed with Cincinnati area prospects as well as athletes from northern Kentucky, they led an arsenal of great play involving Ohio teams that claimed the top four places in the event.