15s Teams Competing in the Mideast Qualifier March 15-17
The Mideast Qualifier (MEQ) is split this year, with 12’s through14’s divisions and three of the 15’s divisions competing this weekend (March 15-17) in Saint Louis. The 15 Open division and all 16’s through 18’s division will be playing March…
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Continue ReadingThe Mideast Qualifier (MEQ) is split this year, with 12’s through14’s divisions and three of the 15’s divisions competing this weekend (March 15-17) in Saint Louis. The 15 Open division and all 16’s through 18’s division will be playing March 22-24 in Indianapolis. Nine Badger Region teams will be competing across the three divisions this weekend.
It should be a fun and competitive weekend of volleyball for each of the teams. Now that we are mid-season, connections are being formed on the court and the intensity of play is increasing. MEQ is always well run tournament with a high level of competition. Three divisions at the 15’s age level will be playing this weekend so we will break out teams playing by their division.
There are a few teams I have not had the opportunity to see play yet including RVA G15 Navy and Wisconsin Premier 15 White in the American Division and RVA G15 White and 360 VA 15-1 in the Select division. I am excited to see all teams play this weekend and to have the chance to see the four teams play which I have not run into at a tournament yet.
15 American
Midwest Penguins 15 Red
This is a well-rounded team with dedicated athletes who enjoy competing at a high level and having fun while doing it. Setters Grace Pasqua and Gabby Winzenreid move the ball around well and have a lot of potential. Middle Chrissy Minz has a lot of power. Libero Ariana Refinski sets the team up for success in the back row. Lauren Baker is an outside hitter who talks a lot on the court and moves well to the ball.
Wisconsin Premier 15 Teal
This is a talented young team who has had a successful season. They placed second in the Badger Qualifier and third in the Adidas President’s Day Spectacular 15/16 Premier division. Right side Alyssa Gaeth (Prep Dig Rank #50) is a talented hitter and overall smart player. She puts up a strong block on the pin. Outside hitter Taylor Larson (Prep Dig Rank #48) has a strong arm swing and is scrappy on defense. Sophie Doll, also an outside hitter is another strong blocker for this team.
15 USA
Midwest Penguins 15 Black
This team placed 3rd at the Badger Qualifier and 5th at the Adidas President’s Day Spectacular. Each of the athletes brings something unique to the team. Setter Cora Riffle is fast and gets to every ball. Faith Powers (Prep Dig Rank #46), the other setter has clean, fast hands and places the ball well. Lefty right side Aoife Treacy (Prep Dig Rank #32) has a fast, powerful swing and makes good connections with her setters. The team is quite strong on defense as well with Emily Nielson and Taylor Hedrick as their defensive specialist and libero.
Milwaukee Sting 15 Black
This team has a lot of energizers on their roster. They have competitive energy on the court from the first point to the last. Brooke Porter (Prep Dig Rank #35) is a 6-rotation outside hitter who is fast in transition and has a powerful cross-court shot. Katie Gund (Prep Dig Rank #38) is fast and scrappy yet still controls the ball well. Their passers are the definition of opposites attract. I have seen both play libero. Either way, they are talented and connect well on the court together. Aerene Lim has great ball control and near perfect form, while Sophie Illman is scrappy, talks a lot, and gets a touch on every ball. The team’s energy on the court makes them very fun to watch.
Milwaukee Sting 15 White
This team has some very talented and powerful hitters. Abbie Stigler (Prep Dig Rank #28) is an outside and an aggressive hitter in both the front and back row. Katelyn Duero is also an outside who is great on offense but is also very strong on serve receive and defense. On the right side is lefty Lydia Biggin who makes a huge impact on the match every time she is on the court. The back row is also talented with libero Trisha Shankar defending the backcourt.
MEQ is a fun tournament that has a high level of competition. Each of these teams will be challenged and learn a lot during the course of the three-day tournament. It has been a month since I have seen most of these teams play and have yet to see four of the teams on the court, so it should be a great weekend of volleyball and coverage!