Pioneer Region USAV Bid Tourney Preview
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Bids to the USAV national tournament are on the line this weekend in northern Kentucky. Teams competing in U12 through U18 divisions will vie for an opportunity to compete on the biggest stage at the end of the club season.…
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Continue ReadingBids to the USAV national tournament are on the line this weekend in northern Kentucky. Teams competing in U12 through U18 divisions will vie for an opportunity to compete on the biggest stage at the end of the club season. Here are some athletes to look for:
U18
The top team from NKYVC has good depth and will be the favorite over the other teams in their pool. NKYVC 18-Tsunami features great length and athleticsim of middle Olivia Crowl Olivia Crowl MB Campbell County | 2021 State KY (committed to Arkansas Tech) and middle/outside hitter Cate Scheper as both are a big boost for this team. They get off the floor well and can score and defend. Torri Wurtz Torri Wurtz MB Holy Cross (Covington) | 2021 State KY (committed to Thomas More) and Madison McCloskey Madison McCloskey MB Newport Central Catholic | 2021 State KY (committed to Ashland) bring added size and add depth on the pins and in the middle. Setter Hannah Lukey (committed to Johnson) runs a good offense.
Along with NKYVC 18-Tide and Rise volleyball, Pu5h volleyball from Western Kentucky will be competing, which includes senior Olivia Mitchell Olivia Mitchell OH Caldwell County | 2021 State KY who is committed to play next year at Georgetown College.
U17
NKYVC 17 Tsunami is the heavy favorite with Division talent such as high flying middle Taylor Preston Taylor Preston 6'2" | OH St. Henry | 2022 State #66 Nation KY (committed to Oklahoma), libero Abby Schaefer Abby Schaefer 5'8" | DS/L St. Henry | 2022 State #174 Nation KY (committed to Western Kentucky), and setter Cora Taylor (committed to Butler). This team has national-level talent that should compete well if qualifed to the championship event. Uncommitted athletes to look for include the athletic skills of outside hitter Brooklynne Darby and the versatile Elena Dubic.
Union 17-1 should certainly compete well with libero Reese Speed (committed to Georgetown) leading their ball control and defensive effort. Uncommitted athletes that should make a big impact include 6’2 middle/opposite Mary Schneidtmiller, 5’10 setter Ella Teeley, 5’11 middle Kamori Knight, and 5’9 outside hitter Kayla Bryant Kayla Bryant OH Sacred Heart | 2022 State KY .
U16
Maya Hunt Maya Hunt S Holy Cross (Covington) | 2023 State KY is the setter for the NKYVC 16-Tsunami squad and, at 5’10, is one of the best young setters in Kentucky. She has plenty of offensive options that include 6’1 outside Ava Siefke, 6’2 middle Cayla Jackson, and the dynamic and athletic arm of outside/middle Sydney Nolan Sydney Nolan 6'2" | MB Notre Dame | 2023 State #60 Nation KY , who at 6’2 helped her Notre Dame squad to a state title in 2020.
Union 16-1 brings some good size that includes 6’4 middle Meredith Brown Meredith Brown 6'4" | MB Mercy | 2023 State KY , and fellow middles in Cali Cummings and Maddie Hagan, both at 6’0 tall. Two of their pin options include Caroline Hilbrich and Julia McNeley with setter Julia Purichia running the show on the offensive side.