Pioneer Region AAU, USAV Nationals Update

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A number of Pioneer Region teams have had good showings in the national tournaments.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>USA Volleyball Junior Nationals in Dallas</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Union UA Black team finished undefeated in pool play then won the quarterfinal game in the championship round, losing in the semifinals, 2-1 (25-23, 14-25, 16-14) to Adversity G15 Adidas in the 15 American Division to tie for third out of 64 teams. The likes of [player_tooltip player_id='752630' first='Raleigh' last='Becker'], [player_tooltip player_id='733407' first='Kaylee' last='Clemons'] and [player_tooltip player_id='612086' first='Olivia' last='Welsh'] led the way on defense with setter [player_tooltip player_id='788409' first='Cate' last='Bakken'] consistently dishing balls to Hadley Hasselbring, Isabella Manos, Chloe Kremer, [player_tooltip player_id='554148' first='Emma' last='Cronen'], [player_tooltip player_id='774929' first='Allie' last='Herbert'] and [player_tooltip player_id='611834' first='Nalani' last='Derringer'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the 15 National Division, the Northern Kentucky 15-1 Tsunami team finished 5-0 in pool play before going 1-1 in the next round, but finished second in the pool based on going 3-3 in sets. However, the team bested PVA 15 Elite, 2-0 (25-23, 25-18) to make it to the gold bracket. The team then lost in two to KC Power 15 Mize to tie for fifth out of 48 teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AAU Nationals Wave 4 in Orlando</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Adidas KIVA 16 Black team had the highest finish of anyone in the Pioneer Region tying for 11th at 9-3. The [program_tooltip program_id='430241' first='Northern' last='Kentucky Junior Volleyball'] 16 Blue team tied for 27th with a 6-5 record out of 81 teams in the 16 Elite group. The 16 Spirit Division saw Bourbon City 16 National tie for 73rd out of 151 teams with a 6-5 record and Club Apex 16 Teal squad finish 89th with a 6-5 record.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Adidas KIVA 15 Black team tied for 17th out of 104 teams with a 7-3 record in the 15 Elite Division and the [program_tooltip program_id='510734' first='Lexington' last='United'] 55 Elite team finished with a 6-4 record. In the 15 Premier Division, the Adidas KIVA 15 White team took 18th out of 91 teams with a 7-4 record. The Alpha A.51 team tied for 34th and the Tri-State Elite 15 White team tied for 41st with a 6-4 record.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The TopSpin 15-1 team tied for 32nd with the Union 15 UA Green taking 38th with a 9-3 record out of 90 teams. The Adidas KIVA 15 Silver team tied for 49th at 6-4. In the 15 Club Division, the MAVA Adidas 15 Elite team tied for 39th out of 158 team with a 5-5 record with the Union 15 UA Blue team tying for 69th out of 158 teams.</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":["554148"],"_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-6864a7974228f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cronen (pictured) had a monster national tournament and hopes for big things for the Jaguars this fall. Cronen sets up well then takes a strong approach toward the net with an outstanding follow-through. Cronen makes things happen out of system and can pound balls from all six spots in the back. She reads defenses well then makes any necessary adjustments in the air including putting balls off blockers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["788409"],"_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-6864a797422f9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bakken proved her value in the front row for the 15 UA Black team using her size to control the net and set up hitters. Bakken does a variety of short and long sets well. She also timed up a number of blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["783574"],"_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-6864ac8204d31"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stinson has shown she may be ready to take over the setter role at Ballard. Stinson puts balls on the money to her hitters, especially on the quicks. Stinson reads defenses well and makes the right sets. Stinson also does the 31 and five-ball sets well. Then Stinson does a good job hustling on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["727143"],"_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-6864af9731839"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Roose is not only tall, but athletic. Roose has taken a number of swings over the years and it shows on the court with her quick arm swing, sending balls down with a thud. Roose could be a big help on the front row helping teammates get one-on-one opportunities this fall. Roose also has good timing on her blocks.</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 a half 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 or even have feedback on the Kentucky rankings, 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 -->