Team Focus: Mintonette m.71 Heading to Red Rock Rave

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heading to Las Vegas, [program_tooltip program_id='431555' first='Mintonette' last=''] m.71 will open play in the the SCVA Red Rock Rave as the second seed in Pool 6. With 32 teams competing for a bid to the 17 Open GJNC event at the end of this club season, this team features some of Ohio's best in the 2027 class while riding the experience of some recent high quality competition behind them over the first portion of their season. Event results include: 5th | Nike Classic; 8th | OVR 18 qualifier; 53rd | Triple Crown NIT; 9th | Sunshine qualifier. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They have the tools to compete at a high level and a weekend of efficient consistency in their effort on both sides of the ball could very well earn them a coveted bid. With good depth to compete through a sound 6-2 option, they have the ability to sustain impact and success in each rotation. Here is a breakdown of their roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>POINT SCORING</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This group has a dynamic core of pin hitters that includes athleticism, lengthy, and proven ability to score. [player_tooltip player_id='480805' first='Kamryn' last='Cocherl'] is one of the most prolific scorers from the high school cycle in all of Ohio. The Georgia Southern commit can be highly terminal at net and from the back row with good control of her swing. [player_tooltip player_id='480860' first='Bella' last='Borgio'] is headed to Santa Clara and is another highly terminal pin regarding her history of success over the past few cycles including both high school and club. She can generate a lot of force on the ball especially through a different tempo to the pin that is higher and allows her time to build her momentum, lift, and swing. Jacksonville State commit [player_tooltip player_id='766538' first='Marlee' last='Sharps'] has length at 6'1 and can be equally effective on both sides of the balln and both sides of the net. [player_tooltip player_id='833264' first='Jillian' last='Rode'] has some of the best lift and versatility to her offensive presence as she can drive the ball with good power when she gets closed to the set through different options.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From the middle, the trio of [player_tooltip player_id='480858' first='Queen' last='Beard'], [player_tooltip player_id='809615' first='Elle' last='Mortimer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='732822' first='Brooklyn' last='Wilkin'] provide the best length, which helps this group balance offense between the pins as well as hold down the net defense. Beard is athletic and can be phsyical with her arm when on time in the air. Mortimer, committed to Ohio University, may be the biggest arm in the middle as she continues to show the damage she can do when up quick and open to the ball to be able to get it onto the defense with big pace. Wilkin is another option that is capable of scoring as well. The added benefit across these three prospects is that they all can swing and defend at the right pin in addition to running fast middle offense, creating more opportunities individually to contribute while also maintaining the quality of depth this is a big potential key every time this team takes the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FIRST TOUCH CONTACT</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='549972' first='Addison' last='Knapke'] is committed to the Big10 and Northwestern University. The primary libero for this group, she is solid in all phases of the game. Alongside her in the back row often is [player_tooltip player_id='480857' first='Brooklyn' last='Hall'], another athlete that can wear the libero jersey if needed, bringing more length to that position with her platform and court range. She moves well and controls her angles when passing while also showing quickness in her first step reaction defensively to dig or use emergency skills effectively when needed. Her skill set also includes the ability to jump and swing with a terminal arm as proven well by her offensive numbers this past fall in leading Licking Heights. The pace she can bring is another dimension to her game and even more depth to the offense of this team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DISTRIBUTION</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='474086' first='Kelsie' last='Smith'] has been a key piece for this club in this position throughout her club career. As a primary setter for the top team in her age group for [program_tooltip program_id='431555' first='Mintonette' last=''] once again, she brings good command of the court and consistency in her distribution. She is committed to Marist. [player_tooltip player_id='930398' first='Ella' last='Wade'] arrived on our radar this club season and what a great piece for this team as another athletic and capable setter. She's a settter that can get her hands on most balls or will, at minimum, puruse to use her hands as often as possible through which she can make good adjustments to her tempo and force to still get her attackers into hittable situations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Good luck to [program_tooltip program_id='431555' first='Mintonette' last=''] m.71!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->