What 16 Open Players Shined at Presidents’ Day Challenge

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 16 Open/Premier Division at the Presidents' Day Challenge featured a lot of programs from around the Midwest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Michigan grabbed a pair of semifinal spots, it was an out-of-state program that took home the title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at some of the top players from this division over the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='483957' first='Kendyl' last='Strack'], L Munciana 16 Giraffes</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Giraffes took home the title this weekend in Detroit and Strack was a big reason why. She was constantly putting in the work in the back row and making a number of dives and sprawls to keep her team in a point. She never looked rushed, just maintained composure and played at a high level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='512267' first='Ava' last='Gould'], OH Munciana 16 Giraffes</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gould was a really impressive and powerful left-handed hitter. She had a nice lift off the floor and could follow through with a lot of power. She played strong attack angles and scrapped at the net for the balls that were up for grabs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='443857' first='Kenna' last='Robinson'], S Munciana 16 Giraffes</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Indiana-based club team had a great run to the title thanks to fundamental play and being able to improvise. Robinson fit that bill well. She had a great connection with Gould, but also did a good job of getting her hitters an opportunity out of a bad pass. She also had some nice service runs, including one late in the third set of the final.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442982' first='Grace' last='Goodyke'], OH FaR Out 15 Black</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming off a great prep season, Goodyke is looking really solid in club play as well. This weekend, FaR Out 15 Black finished runner-up despite playing up an age level. Goodyke looked very comfortable at the 16U age group, as she has the swing speed to score consistently. She's polishing up her swing week after week and only getting better.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454371' first='Riley' last='Loehfelm'], OH FaR Out 15 Black</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When Goodyke wasn't doing her thing, it seemed like Loehfelm was right there to pick up the production. She has a technically sound swing and was able to really be aggressive to the sidelines with her finishes. She was also very active defensively at the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490342' first='Sidney' last='Richmond'], L FaR Out 15 Black</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Richmond played very smoothly in the back row throughout the event and never looked overwhelmed. She played very well in serve receive and also handled out-of-system balls to the hitters very well. Richmond gave FaR Out a high level of consistency on defense, which carried it through the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Gianna Butler, OH NKJV 16 Blue</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Butler was a scrappy outside that was bringing a lot to the Kentucky-based squad. She made some impressive defensive plays and also had some great service runs on top of her powerful swings. Her serving was what led it to a third-place finish on Sunday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Ava Muzumdar, S NKJV 16 Blue</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were a lot of long rallies for NKJV during Sunday's action, but Muzumdar kept herself in focus and continued to work in a lot of different hitters. She had very nice touch on all her different sets. Muzumdar also was a scrappy defender, which came up big during some crucial points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261147' first='Emma' last='Flick'], L NorthShore 16 Betas</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was clear that opponents were trying to keep the ball away from Flick and had success when they were able to do so. However, Flick made sure she was a factor and when she was able to get to the ball, NorthShore looked like a well-oiled machine. She adjusted well to her opponents and always maintained good composure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226934' first='Judith' last='Steffens'], OH NorthShore 16 Betas</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Steffens put in a lot of work on the weekend, as she was a consistent attack from the back row. Steffens did a good job of putting a good touch on each swing. While they didn't always finish, she made sure opposing defenses had to work. Her back-row swing is really solid and she transitions well to defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->