JVA SummerFest Recap & Standouts
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The action never stops for top Michigan club teams. With the JVA World Challenge on tap this weekend, Michigan put forth a successful showing last weekend at JVA SummerFest in Columbus. Multiple champions came from the mitten, while a lot…
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Continue ReadingThe action never stops for top Michigan club teams.
With the JVA World Challenge on tap this weekend, Michigan put forth a successful showing last weekend at JVA SummerFest in Columbus.
Multiple champions came from the mitten, while a lot of top-10 finishes were secured as well.
Here’s a recap of the Open divisions and some names that led their respective teams to success.
16 Open
Legacy 16-1 Adidas added another championship to its collection for the 2021 club season by winning the 16 Open with a perfect 7-0 weekend. Legacy dropped just two sets throughout the event, but grinded out a pair of three-set wins in the process over Tri-State Elite 16 Blue and Mintonette Sports – m.61. In the final, Legacy swept Adidas KIVA 16 Red by scores of 25-18, 25-18. Abby Reck recorded championship point on a tip, continuing to showcase her high court IQ. She’s really had a big club season. Harper Murray Harper Murray 6'2" | OH Skyline | 2023 State #2 Nation MI again excelled as a six-rotation outside, while Nina Horning Nina Horning 6'5" | OH Lake Orion | 2023 State #50 Nation MI continues to be a great compliment to her on the outside. Erin Kline Erin Kline 6'2" | S Mercy | 2023 State #123 Nation MI raises the game of her hitters with her precise sets and footwork. Sarah Vellucci Sarah Vellucci 6'0" | OH Novi | 2023 State #97 Nation MI has been an unsung hero in the back row throughout the year as well, adding another solid performance last weekend.
Michigan Elite 16 Mizuno finished tied for ninth with a 3-2 record on the weekend. They started 3-0, but suffered a pair of closes defeats in Gold Bracket play. Remi Madison Remi Madison 5'9" | OH Grand Blanc | 2023 State MI and Paige Giehtbrock Paige Giehtbrock 6'0" | OH Clarkston | 2023 State MI hit over .340 during their 3-0 start, while Taryn Rice Taryn Rice 5'7" | DS/L Northville | 2023 State MI passed a 2.50. Olivia Gardner Olivia Gardner 6'2" | MB Dakota | 2023 State MI also had a nice weekend in the middle, hitting .442 while racking up 12 blocks.
MVA 16 Black finished 2-3 for the weekend and placed 19th. Zoey Dood Zoey Dood 6'2" | S Grandville | 2024 State #131 Nation MI , a 2024 prospect, continues to shine at setter, working well with her hitters.
17 Open
It was a strong showing for a lot of Michigan programs in the 17 Open, as Legacy 17-1 Adidas finished third, while Michigan Elite 17 Mizuno and MVA 17 Black each tied for fifth.
Legacy had some real battles throughout the weekend, including a 33-31 set with Mintonette Sports – m.71 in a three-set loss. However, they came through with a pair of three-set wins in Gold Bracket play before falling to eventual Open champ, Metro 17 Travel 25-21, 25-16. They also earned a tough 25-23, 25-21 win over Michigan Elite in Power Pool play. Even with some notable injuries, Legacy showed it can still compete with the best. Defensively play by Summer Jidas Summer Jidas 5'5" | DS/L Clarkston | 2022 State MI is a big reason as to why.
Michigan Elite was 2-3 on the weekend, with two of the three losses to semifinalists. MVA was 4-1 on the weekend, with the lone loss coming to Mintonette 15-25, 25-22, 15-8.
Abbie Zylstra was a force for MVA for the weekend, finishing consistently from the left and back row. Brooklyn Conner Brooklyn Conner 6'3" | MB Forest Hills Central | 2022 State #178 Nation MI continues to be a difference maker in the middle with her length and athleticism.
15 Open
Legacy 16-1 ADIDAS placed tied for third with a 6-1 record for the weekend. The lone loss was to Tri-State Elite 15 Blue in the semifinals, 25-19, 25-15. Legacy showed a lot of grit during the event, pulling out three three-set victories. Lucy Mott put together a strong effort to lead the team from the setter position. She finished with 124 assists, 20 kills and 11 aces. During bracket play, Brooke Foucher Brooke Foucher 5'11" | MB Northville | 2024 MI hit .318 while Mallory Bohl Mallory Bohl 6'3" | MB Saline | 2024 State #102 Nation MI hit .308 and finished with 17 kills.
Michigan Elite 15 Mizuno landed in 14th position, with both losses on the weekend coming in three-set battles. MVA 15 Black landed 21st, winning the Copper Bracket of the 15 Open with two-set wins over A2 15 Green and VA Elite 15’s during bracket play. Libero Hope Davies Hope Davies 5'5" | DS/L Forest Hills Eastern | 2024 State MI was a standout for MVA, really putting in the effort all around the court.
18’s Division
Dead Frog 18 Black walked away with the championship in the lone 18U division at Summerfest, going 6-0 for the weekend while dropping just one set. Their final in the Gold Bracket saw them pick up a 25-18, 25-15 win over A. 18 Navy.
COVID sidelined some of the Dead Frog roster early in the club season, but the team has really been playing at a high level in the last month. Included in the 18U roster are 2022 prospects Lyse Bates Lyse Bates 5'4" | DS/L Portage Northern | 2022 State MI , Alia Mastromatteo Alia Mastromatteo 5'9" | S Portage Northern | 2022 State MI and Olivia Sturgeon.
14 Open
For a sign of things to come in the Class of 2025, Michigan landed two teams in the top eight of the 14 Open. Legacy 14-1 ADIDAS came through with the Open championship, going a perfect 7-0 on the weekend. Michigan Elite 14 Mizuno finished fifth with a 5-1 record.
Legacy dropped just a single set the entire weekend, which came in a 25-23, 20-25, 16-14 win over Boiler Jrs 141E Gold in the championship match. Setter Campbell Flynn capped off a strong weekend showing with a dump to score championship point.
Michigan Elite saw its only loss come against NKYVC 14-1 Tsumani by scores of 29-27, 25-16. Those were the only two set the team dropped for the weekend. They hit .237 as a team for the weekend, with outside hitter Isabelle Busignani leading the way with 50 kills while hitting .347.