2020 JVA Rock ‘n Rumble Recap
The 2020 club volleyball season really got into full swing this weekend with the JVA Rock ‘n Rumble in Cleveland, which featured many of the top programs in the state of Michigan. Here’s a breakdown of how our local clubs…
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Continue ReadingThe 2020 club volleyball season really got into full swing this weekend with the JVA Rock ‘n Rumble in Cleveland, which featured many of the top programs in the state of Michigan. Here’s a breakdown of how our local clubs performed.
15 OPEN
Building off of its outstanding 2019 season in the 14’s, Legacy 15-1 Adidas opened its new year with the Rock ‘n Rumble championship. Legacy went 6-0 on the weekend and didn’t drop a single set. Only four of the 12 sets saw Legacy give up 20 points or more. The championship saw Legacy best Adidas KIVA 15 Red by scores of 25-12, 27-25. Harper Murray continues to play at an elite level, putting down 15 kills while hitting .722 in the finals with KIVA. She was aided by setter Erin Kline and right side Rebecca Apsey, who finished second in kills and led the team in blocks this weekend.
Michigan Elite 15 Mizuno (15th), Five:1 15-Black (17th), Michigan Elite 15 Elite (18th), Legacy 15-2 Adidas (19th), Unified 15-1 (20th) and TeamD 15-Red (21st) also competed in the 15 Open.
16 OPEN
Michigan Elite 16 Mizuno came up just shy of the championship this weekend, taking runner-up following a 25-20, 25-19 loss to AVC CLE Rox 16 Red in the final. Michigan Elite was 5-1 for the weekend and 10-3 in sets. Ava Brizard led the effort for Michigan Elite. The six-rotation star in the Class of 2022 continues to play at a high level and was part of a dominant blocking effort by the squad throughout the weekend. Aly Borellis showed her diverse skills, running a great offense at setter while providing a lot of powerful finishes when she attacked.
Legacy 16-1 Adidas reached the semifinals of the Open before falling to Michigan Elite, 25-22, 25-21. Legacy hadn’t dropped a set prior to that and earned a third-place finish for the weekend. Sydney Tomlak led Legacy in kills as a six-rotation standout while Karlee Stoll ran the offense and was really sound on defense. Speaking of defense, Josie Bloom continued to shine as top libero/DS option in the Class of 2022.
TeamD 16-Red (11th), Michigan Elite 16 Elite (18th), Unified 16-1 (20th) and Legacy 16-2 Adidas (22nd) also took part in the 16 Open.
17 OPEN
The 17 Open was a challenging one for local teams. Only Michigan Elite 17 Elite was able to break through into the top 10, finishing tied for fifth after reaching the quarterfinals. They were 4-2 for the weekend and 8-5 in sets. Michigan Elite was led by a solid hitting duo of outside Sam Deinek and middle Kendall Robertson. Elite was able to finish consistently behind both, while each also were solid with their defense and blocking.
Other finishers in the 17 Open from Michigan were Unified 17-2 (13th), Legacy 17-1 Adidas (14th), Unified 17-1 (15th), Legacy 17-2 Adidas (17th), Five:1 17-Black (18th), TeamD 17-Red (19th), Legends 17 Adidas (22nd).
18 OPEN
A smaller pool from Michigan competed in the 18 Open, but MVA 18 Black managed a ninth-place finish to lead the in-state teams. MVA came away with the Silver bracket title. Ashley Slater is the team leader at outside hitter for MVA. The Wake Forest commit bring a great all-around game to combine with her 6-foot-3 frame. TeamD 18-Red placed 12th while Legends 18 Adidas was 16th.
MVA 17 Black also came through with the 18 Club championship, going 6-0 for the weekend. Michigan Elite 18 National East was right behind, placing third.
***Legacy 18-1 Adidas earns bid***
Over in Chicago, Legacy 18-1 Adidas earned a bid to the USAV Nationals this weekend thanks to a third-place finish at the Girls Winter Volleyball Championships Qualifier. Legacy went 6-3 over the weekend, with all three losses being very narrow. Two of the three were in three sets while the final loss was to eventual champion, Circle City 18 Purple by scores of 27-25, 25-23. Legacy defeated Adversity G18 Adidas in the bronze-medal match, 25-18, 25-12.
The USAV Nationals for 18’s will take place May 1-3 in Reno, Nev.