ASICS MLK 18 Qualifier Recap

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There was a slight delay, but I had to leave freezing Kansas City for some relief in California. I was on hand for the first two days of the first qualifier for many teams in the 18s division. Here is a recap of how some Missouri teams fared. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>18 Open</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No Missouri or Kansas City teams left with bids as the two available went to Adrenaline and VC Nebraska. A few teams were close as Mavs 18 Elite, KC [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] 18 Roschitz, and PVA 18 Elite filled the next three spots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>18 USA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mavs 816 18 National earned their bid in their first attempt by placing second, going 7-2 over the weekend. They went 2-1 on day one before winning five straight leading up to the championship match. [player_tooltip player_id='219770' first='Jaelynn' last='Tunley'] had a solid weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>18 Liberty</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two teams just missed the cut with third- and fourth-place finishes in the Liberty Division. One of those teams was a 17s team, Mizuno Club North 17 Mike. They went 5-3 against older competition. [player_tooltip player_id='485579' first='Mikayla' last='Fox'], a St. Pius product, played well. 417 MoJrs. 18 Elite also went 5-3 for fourth place. [player_tooltip player_id='237807' first='Reece' last='Cook'] continues to show why she is a top setter in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>18 American</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Quite a few Missouri and Kansas City area teams fought their way to the gold bracket in the American Division. In fact, of the four opening matches, seven teams fit the bill. [program_tooltip program_id='428799' first='Rockwood' last='Thunder'] 18 White out of St. Louis took on Highlands Performance out of the Missouri Northland in Kansas City. Highlands 18 Black with [player_tooltip player_id='485608' first='Aryana' last='Spry'] of Savannah was able to get the win in straight sets. Apex Volleyball out of Springfield Missouri took down KC Legends in two. KC [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] 18 Mozena handled business, defeating Alpha Omega 18 Elite in two tightly contested sets. [player_tooltip player_id='540282' first='Hannah' last='Hentges'] and [player_tooltip player_id='476879' first='Gabby' last='Horn'] were good all weekend for Alpha. In the final match, A5 knocked off Dynasty 18 Gold. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The quarterfinal round saw all Missouri/Kansas City teams defeated with Apex, Highlands, and KC [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] all finishing tied for fifth place. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->