2022 Presidents’ Day Challenge Preview: 17s and 18s
Coming to the TCF Center will be 500 of the best teams in the Midwest. Detroit will host some big name talent, but what makes this tournament most exciting is the under-the-radar athlete that will be on display. A lot…
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Continue ReadingComing to the TCF Center will be 500 of the best teams in the Midwest.
Detroit will host some big name talent, but what makes this tournament most exciting is the under-the-radar athlete that will be on display. A lot of local clubs are coming to go toe-to-toe with some of the premier clubs in the country and could even give them a run for their money!
Here are some of the big names to watch out for in the 17 and 18s divisions.
Kaela Chingwa Kaela Chingwa 6'3" | MB North Branch | 2024 State MI (2024) | 6’2 MB | NBVBC
This middle blocker showed a lot of progress and yet still a lot of potential in the fall. Kaela Chingwa Kaela Chingwa 6'3" | MB North Branch | 2024 State MI is a lengthy blocker who can take up great space at the net and can tower over her opponents with her offense.
Clara Gyomory (2024) | 5’10 OPP | NBVBC
Another loud cannon out of NBVBC is Clara Gyomory. Like Chingwa, Gyomory has a lot of room left to grow, but she’s already so good on the right pin. She has a booming swing that’s hard to slow down and Gyomory plays some pretty solid net defense.
Kendal Young Kendal Young 5'9" | S West Michigan Christian | 2023 State MI (2023) | 5’6 S | FaR Out
A new player on my radar come this fall was Kendal Young Kendal Young 5'9" | S West Michigan Christian | 2023 State MI . Young quarterbacked one of the toughest teams in the state with West Michigan Christian and lead them all the way to a D3 Semi-Finals match in November. Young has a great touch to the ball and a solid overall game. She’ll pace a very solid FaR Out 17 Black squad.
Kennedy Louisell Kennedy Louisell 6'0" | OH Forest Hills Northern | 2023 State #140 Nation MI (2023) | 5’11 OH | FaR Out
One of the best breakout seasons in the fall was had by Kennedy Louisell Kennedy Louisell 6'0" | OH Forest Hills Northern | 2023 State #140 Nation MI . She burst onto the scene in the loudest way possible and I don’t think she’s close to quieting down yet. Louisell has a great arm that can blast through the toughest of defenses. While being 5’11, she boasts a great vertical to push her ahead of most blockers.
Maradith O’Gorman Maradith O’Gorman 6'2" | RS Lakewood | 2022 State #24 Nation MI (2022) | 6’2 OPP | FaR Out
O’Gorman is a household name at this point when it comes to Michigan Volleyball, but we still gotta show some love to this hefty south paw. Maradith O’Gorman Maradith O’Gorman 6'2" | RS Lakewood | 2022 State #24 Nation MI will be on full display this weekend in Detroit and she puts on quite the show. With a heavy arm and a tall reach, O’Gorman stands head and shoulders above her competition.
Janiah Jones Janiah Jones 6'1" | MB Marian | 2022 State MI (2022) | 6’0 MB | Michigan Elite
Another player who saw herself emerge into the limelight in a big way was Janiah Jones Janiah Jones 6'1" | MB Marian | 2022 State MI . Jones would be what some could say, a late bloomer, but she’s not done yet. Jones is a speedy, athletic middle. She is quick off the ground whether it’s blocking or attacking, it’s hard to get one past her. Or even trying to stop her for that matter. Jones will be giving many attackers a run for their money in Detroit.