Pioneer Bid Tournament 17s, 18s Results

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not a lot has changed in terms of the Pioneer Bid Tournament other than the location. It moved from northern Kentucky to the Kentucky Indiana Volleyball Academy Sports Center in south Louisville this year. The Northern Kentucky Volleyball Academy 1 Tsunami teams went undefeated in the top four age levels and won the USA National Tournament National bids.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Teams from Union, Alpha Performance, Southern Kentucky Elite Volleyball Academy and the [program_tooltip program_id='747806' first='East' last='Kentucky Junior Volleyball'] team also participated in the event. Union and SKEVA also managed to win bids in the top two age groups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>18s Results</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Only four teams partook in this tournament and the NKYVC 18-1 Tsunami dominated all three matches. That included the first game against 18-2 Tide in what decided the championship. The 18-2 Tide squad wound up winning the American bid to Salt Lake City on April 25-27.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The SKEVA 18 Blue team wound up winning the Freedom Bid, besting Alpha Performance A.81, 2-0 (25-17, 25-8). SKEVA 18 Blue did take the 18-2 Tide team to three sets before falling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>17s Results</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This age group saw six teams participate. Three came from NKYVC with Union sending two and the Alpha A.71 rounding out the field. The NKYVC 17-1 Tsunami and Union 17 UA Black teams won both pool play games in the morning. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They wound up winning the semifinal games before meeting in the championship game. The 17-1 Tsunami team won the championship game, 2-0 (25-23, 25-15) to take the National bid and leave Union 17 UA Black with the American bid.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 17-2 Tide team won the third place game, 2-0 (25-22, 25-14) over the Union 17 UA Green squad to take the Freedom Bid. The 17s USA Nationals Championship takes place June 25 through 28.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Performances</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["152344"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c52797b7d4e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Venard (pictured) continues to find ways to improve months after leading St. Ursula to the national championship. Venard plays for a loaded club team that gives her dynamic ways to set balls. Venard more than makes her fair share of contributions to this club team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["159379"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c52797b7dc3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Neltner made strides as a leader on the court for Bishop Brossart in the fall and continues to do so with the 18-2 Tide team. Neltner takes a quick swing to put balls down when needed. She will continue to add onto her dynamic repertoire during club season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["368391"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c52797b7e11"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kemper primarily set for Seton during the Division I state championship run. Kemper still does a lot of setting for the 17-1 Tsunami team, but shows some versatility as an outside hitter. Kemper makes good first passes. As a setter, Kemper continues to mix things up well. She has a solid jump set to put more power on balls and help out the hitters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["253869"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c52a6eb5ee4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pehlkie gives the Union 17 UA Black team solid play on defense. She has quick reflexes to make big digs and put the offense into a good rhythm. Pehlke does a great job anticipating and reacting to balls, even making one-armed saves when needed. Pehlke has developed a solid serve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Note from the Writer</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mike Graham has been writing for Prep Dig for one year and has enjoyed getting to know the volleyball scenes in both Kentucky and Ohio. If you liked the story, please copy and paste to X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. You may also follow us at @prepdigkentucky or @prepdigoh on Instagram in addition to @PrepDigKy or @PrepDigOH on X. If you feel someone in Kentucky or Ohio needs coverage, please email Mike at pnmikeg@yahoo.com. You may also follow him on X @GMCgrah or Instagram @g.michaelgraham. Subscriptions give you access to exclusive content. For a 30% discount, enter code graham30 at checkout.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->