Big Weekend at MEQ

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Missouri/Kansas City Metro teams had a good showing at the Nike Mideast Qualifier in St. Louis over the weekend. In total, three teams earned bids. Four if you count the Topeka Saints. Then there were teams just a spot away from clinching a bid. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>15 Open</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='428889' first='Dynasty' last=''] 15 Black had a runner-up finish going 8-2 over the weekend. They were defeated by Circle City in the championship who had a perfect 10-0 record. Both [program_tooltip program_id='428889' first='Dynasty' last=''] defeats, to TAV and Circle City came in three sets. Missouri products [player_tooltip player_id='485573' first='Camryn' last='Minatee'] of North Kansas City and St. Teresa's defender [player_tooltip player_id='729533' first='Eleanor' last='Reisch'] were contributors to this team's success. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mavs 15 Elite captured the third bid after winning the third-place match in straight sets over OT 15 Randy. The Mavs were rolling through the tournament, winning their first eight matches before running into crosstown rival [program_tooltip program_id='428889' first='Dynasty' last=''] in the semifinals. They had to scrap out some tough three-set matches along the way, including a 20-18 win over ARVC. Class of 2028 Missouri All-State setter [player_tooltip player_id='635415' first='Grace' last='Engeman'] played well all weekend. Another strong freshman setter from Lee's Summit West, [player_tooltip player_id='729549' first='Jaelyn' last='Jordan'] gives them a strong duo at the position. Blue Springs is represented by [player_tooltip player_id='543378' first='Olivia' last='Maciel'] and [player_tooltip player_id='729587' first='Sloane' last='Fende'], a strong defender from St. Teresa's who joins the setters as Missouri prep stars. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>HPSTL 15 Royal and [program_tooltip program_id='428892' first='PVA' last=''] 15 Elite finished 5th, just slots away from a bid. 15 Royal went 6-2 while [program_tooltip program_id='428892' first='PVA' last=''] had a 7-1 weekend. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>15 USA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='515493' first='Club' last='North'] 15 Ang went a perfect 10-0 to capture the USA division and their ticket to nationals. They appeared to have little trouble navigating the first two days not dropping a set. The final day got interesting as they had three consecutive three-set fights, pulling out in each of them. [player_tooltip player_id='666872' first='Payton' last='Osegueda'] shined throughout the weekend along with strong play from [player_tooltip player_id='778340' first='Kenzie' last='Huhman']. Libero [player_tooltip player_id='788587' first='Kayleigh' last='Byrd'] was impressive also with her play along the back row, even finding the floor for a kill. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Topeka Saints 15 Gold team finished third and locked in a bid going 8-2. [program_tooltip program_id='428799' first='Rockwood' last='Thunder'] 15 Elite finished fourth, just missing a bid. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>16 American</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='515493' first='Club' last='North'] 16 Molley fail one game shy of winning the division and the sole bid finishing 10-1. The team was strong defensively this weekend in the blocking department. [player_tooltip player_id='485626' first='Ava' last='Norton'], [player_tooltip player_id='524813' first='Paige' last='Outler'], and company put up a brick wall. Outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='517411' first='Anja' last='Karadjova'] had some good swings throughout the tournament. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>16 Liberty</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='428799' first='Rockwood' last='Thunder'] 16 Navy finished third, one spot from the two eligible bids in the division. They went 9-1, losing their final match of the tournament. Peyton Dolly was a blocking machine throughout the tournament in the middle. [player_tooltip player_id='272167' first='Hailey' last='Lowery'] did a good job in her placement in the film I checked out. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->