Can KC Power’s 17-1 Team Make Even More Noise at Nationals in 2020?
If you thought the U16 teams housed a bevy of Missouri volleyball talent, wait until you see the list at the U17 level. Club rosters across the state are chock full of gifted all-around players in the Class of 2021…
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Continue ReadingIf you thought the U16 teams housed a bevy of Missouri volleyball talent, wait until you see the list at the U17 level. Club rosters across the state are chock full of gifted all-around players in the Class of 2021 (with a few Class of 2022 players sprinkled in for good measure). Here are just five of the many U17 teams that will have the attention of many in the 2020 club season. Be sure to stay tuned as we explore more even rosters heading into club volleyball fun in 2020!
Dynasty 17-1
Gurtiza – courtesy Dynasty VolleyballDynasty 16-1 had a nice run at Nationals in 2019, finishing in the top 30 or the Open division. The roster that has carried over to play for the 17-1 team hopes to make some moves and improve on that feat in 2020. The roster includes Class 4 All-State selection Aly Gurtiza, who helped Lee Summit West reach the district finals in 2019. The defensive specialist averaged 5.6 digs per set and had 321 serve receptions in her sophomore season. The roster also includes Blue Spring South’s Aubrey LaPour, who was also an all-state selection in 2019. The junior averaged three kills per set and amassed 91 digs, 24 blocks and nine aces.
KC Power 17-1
Kreiling – courtesy KC PowerSuccessful 2019 National tournament? Check. D1 commitments? Double check. KC Power 16-1 finished third in the 16s National Division in Indy in 2019 and most of the players from that roster return for a shot at it all in Orlando at the 17s level in 2020. The roster includes heavy hitters Bailee Middleton (Ole Miss recruit) and Kristen Birmingham (Oklahoma recruit). Middleton was a Class 4 All-State selection in 2019 for Liberty High School in a year where the junior had 406 kills, 392 digs, 39 blocks and 43 aces. Birmingham was also an all-state selection for Park Hills High School with 286 kills, 285 digs and 44 blocks. Setter Bryn McGehe announced her verbal commitment to Kansas in October during her junior campaign at Platte County, where she averaged 5 assists per set, as well as 3.3 kills and 3.6 digs per set, respectively. Other D1 commits include Sarah Bingham (Illinois); Keyana Cruse (UNLV); Katrina Davis (VCU); Andi Kreiling (Arizona State); Addison Pelham (Lipscomb University); Jaden Ravnsborg (Kansas State); Brooke Stonestreet (Iowa State).
Mid-State Force 17
Hermann has a rich prep volleyball history and many of the same athletes who have kept that history alive in recent years play their club volleyball with Mid State Force 17, including all-staters Hannah Grosse, Chelsey Moeckli & Grace Winkelmann. Grace Godat also contributed to Hermann’s state title run in 2019 with 109 kills and 69 blocks and will be a force in the middle for Mid-State during the club season. With a team that plays together almost year-round, it will be fun to see how far they can go in 2020.
Performance Volleyball 17-1
Performance Volleyball definitely has the personnel for its 17-1 team to make waves in the national qualifier this season. That includes Miller setter Alli Mitchell. The sophomore was a huge reason Miller advanced to the Class 1 state sectionals where it ran into the one of the hotter teams in the state at the time, Lesterville. Miller finished with a 27-4-2 record with Mitchell running an effective offense; she finished the year averaging 8.5 assists per set. She also had 140 digs and 46 aces. Jena Medearis from Nixa High School has a chance in 2020 to make a name for herself. The middle hitter is part of the 2019 Class 4 state championship team in Nixa. Performance also has junior Isabella Fuller, who was second in kills for Reed Spring in 2019 with 169. The outside also had 47 assists, 251 digs and 30 aces.
Rockwood Thunder Elite 17s
LyonWhat can you say about Rockwood Thunder clubs, except you can expect all of their teams to show up at qualifiers ready to play top-notch volleyball? Thunder’s 16 Elite team in 2019 finished in the top 20 of the Open Division at Nationals and most of that team has moved over to 17 Elite for this coming club season. It is a stacked roster to be sure. A pair of Elites have announced they will play their volleyball at the next level with Mizzou & also top Prep Dig Missouri’s Rankings for the Class of 2021 – outside Jordan Iliff and setter Addison Lyon. Lyon did not play her prep season due to injury – hopefully she is able to come back strong for her club season. Iliff averaged 4.3 kills per set while hitting .311 for Mehlville. The junior also had 28 blocks and 144 digs. Elite 17’s Ella Brinkmann was a huge factor in St. Francis Borgia taking home a Class 3 State title last month. The sophomore had 255 kills, 37 blocks, 150 digs and 28 aces.