Triple Crown NIT Recap: Legacy 16-1 ADIDAS takes second
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Triple Crown NIT certainly lived up to the hype in its 2021 edition this past weekend at the Kansas City Convention Center. Michigan once again was well represented and put itself on the podium in the 16 and Under division…
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Continue ReadingTriple Crown NIT certainly lived up to the hype in its 2021 edition this past weekend at the Kansas City Convention Center.
Michigan once again was well represented and put itself on the podium in the 16 and Under division with Legacy 16-1 ADIDAS placing runner-up, continuing its strong 2021 club season.
Legacy dealt with plenty of adversity on the weekend, with two players getting a stomach bug but battling through to get within a few points of the title.
Setter Erin Kline Erin Kline 6'2" | S Mercy | 2023 State #123 Nation MI got food poisoning during the opening day, but still helped Legacy go 2-1 with the lone loss coming against 1st Alliance 16 Silver 25-22, 25-17.
On Day 2, middle Abigail Reck Abigail Reck 6'2" | MB Northville | 2023 State #74 Nation MI suffered a knee injury that hampered her and forced Legacy to slide outside hitter Nina Horning Nina Horning 6'5" | OH Lake Orion | 2023 State #50 Nation MI to the middle. Horning showcased her great talent in the switch, using her length and athleticism to help Legacy go 3-0 on the day against top competition.
During the final day, Reck was able to play through her knee injury, but would also be dealing with a stomach bug that she mentally had to fight through.
Legacy looked great in its first two matches, avenging the previous loss to 1st Alliance Silver 25-20, 25-23 in the quarterfinals. They then rolled past Drive Nation 16-Red 25-21, 25-13 in the semifinal.
“We were so proud of our team for facing such adversity and staying focused on our goals,” Legacy coach Jennifer Cottrill said. “We had lost to 1st Alliance and Drive Nation earlier in the season, so we very pleased with our improvement in order to beat both of those teams in two sets.”
The final was against A5 16-Gabe and a display of some great volleyball. The two teams split the first two sets, with each winning 25-22. Legacy took the first, then A5 in the second.
The third set was tied 10-10 before A5 was able to win five of the next seven points to claim the championship 15-12.
You wouldn’t have been able to tell what Reck was up against watching her on the court, as she came through time and again with big kills and blocks for Legacy. Same can be said for Kline, who was feeding her dominant hitters well. Harper Murray Harper Murray 6'2" | OH Skyline | 2023 State #2 Nation MI continued to do what she has done for years, playing at the elite level nationally.
A5 libero Arya Jue was a real MVP for the championship team, as she was picking up key digs during the crucial second and third sets. Ashley Sturzoiu and Jaidyn Garcia were the big finishers at the net in the closing set as well.
This weekend does little to keep Legacy from being in the discussion for the top 16U team in the nation. They are 54-5 on the season with three tournament titles and three runner-up finishes out of six events this year.
“We are very happy with our progress this past weekend and our level of play currently,” Cottrill said. “Our players have worked so hard in the gym to mentally and physically be prepared to compete at the higher level against the best in the country.”
Michigan Elite 16 Mizuno placed 21st on the weekend with a 2-5 record, two of the losses were hard-fought three-set battles.
In the 17 and Under Division, Legacy 17-1 ADIDAS finished tied for 7th with a 6-2 record on the weekend. Legacy won its first six matches of the weekend, winning six sets that were decided by three points or less.
Michigan Elite 17 Mizuno finished tied for 13th with a 5-2 record on the weekend. MI Elite won its first five matches in straight sets and then played a pair of challenging three-set matches with Arizona Storm 17 Thunder and MN Select 17-1, losing 15-12 in the third set of both.