16 American and USA Great Lakes Region Standouts @ MEQ
Talent EVERYWHERE! With three waves and nearly 120 teams in each wave, there is talent on every court (just over 70) at this past weekends MidEast Qualifer at the Indiana Convention Center. The Great Lakes Region was well represented in…
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Continue ReadingTalent EVERYWHERE! With three waves and nearly 120 teams in each wave, there is talent on every court (just over 70) at this past weekends MidEast Qualifer at the Indiana Convention Center. The Great Lakes Region was well represented in the American and USA Divisions this past weekend. I was able to get to as many courts as possible and was able to see some more up and coming athletes from Illinois. Did I get to all courts? I tried, but I did have to charge a camera, a phone, and manage to recharge myself for three days of some of the top athletes in the 15s and 16s age group at MEQ. Here are a few names and performances to know from Illinois clubs.
Ava Faltudo – New WAVE 16 Tsunami
Faltudo is a Class of 2024 libero competing up on the New WAVE 16 Tsunami squad that finished in the top ten of the USA Division out of nearly 130 teams. The way Faltudo glides across the floor and how fundamentally sound she is in the backrow is extremely impressive. Maturity on the court beyond her years, she was extremely key for Tsunami making a run to Gold on Sunday. This squad has an overall scrappiness that is also apparent in setter, Melissa Mueller who demonstrated a high IQ of where to distribute and also went to send it deep to the corner to score points.
Natalie Cipriano – Lions 16-1
Lions across all levels have athletes who are well rounded, versatile, and can do a variety of skill sets and that is very evident in Cipriano. Cipriano can set and attack for Lions where she is a springy jumper with a good arm too. This is the same for others on their Lions 15s teams with athletes who can set and hit. Cailey Eklund is the libero for this squad and with a solid first contact and when Lions can get in system they are tough to stop.
Kristin Kammer – Lions 16-1
Kammer is definitely a scoring force for Lions 16-1 where she can swing on the pin and can make solid hand contact. With her length, she can put up a solid block as well. Another attacker for Lions 16-1 was middle Najwa Williams who can get from pin to pin and put a solid contact on the ball as well. The Lions program had a solid weekend with Lions 16 Red, Lions 16 Blue, and Lions 16-1 all finishing in the top 30 of the American Division.
Ultimate 16 Gold
I was able to see this squad play on day one and the type of spark, enthusiasm, and genuine enjoyment they had to play together was so fun to watch. The smiles through the masks were evident with plenty of dancing between sets and energy from the sideline. Some top attackers would be Chidero Ozoh Maddy Heil, and Finley Westover. Westover is a strong attacker and was able to connect with setter Riley Watt.
Epic United 16 Elite
One of the most exciting matches I saw over the weekend was between Rockwood 16 Navy out of St. Louis against Epic United 16 Elite. Back and forth, plenty of energy, and two teams looking to get a top seed heading into the Gold pool on Sunday. Rockwood would win in three, but Epic would comeback to win a crossover match to head to Sunday Gold guaranteeing a top ten finish. Setter, Camryn Kreul definitely runs the show with a 5-1 and is so key in getting to the ball with her hands and putting her attackers in position to score. Some of her favorite targets is right side Mila Petkovic who can also provide a solid block and outside, Alexandria Cline who is able to make solid hand contact with a loose arm to score.
MOD 16 Elite Blue
Kristina Manojlovic
Aubrie Krzus
Belle Boedefeld
MOD 16 Elite Blue dominated the first day going 3-0 and ran into a tough Rockwood Thunder and Epic 16 Elite squad come day two. They were paced by three attackers in their match against NKYVC with Manojlovic, Krzus, and Boedefeld. Long, athletic, and able to find the open court. Manojlovic is on the outside where on the right side is Krzus where both can put the ball away as well as put up a solid block. Out of the middle is a threat in Belle Boedefeld.