NKYVC Earns Open-Level Bids
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Following this club’s 14 Open win at the recent Sunshine qualifier in Florida, NKYVC picked up another open-level bid to this coming summer’s Girls Junior National Championships by earning the silver medal in 16 Open at the Show Me national…
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Continue ReadingFollowing this club’s 14 Open win at the recent Sunshine qualifier in Florida, NKYVC picked up another open-level bid to this coming summer’s Girls Junior National Championships by earning the silver medal in 16 Open at the Show Me national qualifier in Kansas City. With a big 3-0 record on the final day in pool play, including a big win over Dynasty, this team came up just short of a gold medal losing a tight third set to Circle City.
Setter Abby Yoder Abby Yoder 5'10" | S Kings | 2024 State #101 Nation OH was terrific all weekend, leading a varied offense that has the ability to score from all locations. She also has shown progress her other areas of her game including defensively both at the net and from the back row.
Outside hitter Alivia Skidmore Alivia Skidmore OH St. Henry | 2024 State #64 Nation KY is looking more like herself after a long delay to the start of the season due to an injury. She is so fluid in her approach work and can generate a lot of pace off her arm in the air. Give her another few training sessions to further get back on track and I think she becomes even more dangerous offensively for this team as they head to NEQ in a couple of weeks.
Lilly Gillespie Lilly Gillespie 5'8" | OH Turpin | 2024 State OH can do a lot of things and continues to raise her stock given her complete game at the net and in the back row. She continues to produce in big moments for this team as she plays with a lot of confidence.
In the middle, Julia Hunt Julia Hunt 6'1" | MB Holy Cross (Covington) | 2024 State #11 Nation KY and Lilly Hamburg Lilly Hamburg 6'0" | MB Conner | 2024 State KY are such a great duo although their games are quite different. Hunt has the versatility to swing on the pins and through the middle tempo options while Hamburg is more of a true middle with her arm and approach patterns, scoring key points throughout the weekend. Both have the ability to apply a ton of pressure to opposing hitters at the net when blocking, while Hamburg serves as the hype creator for this team with her relentless energy.
In the back row, Elizabeth Tabeling Elizabeth Tabeling 5'7" | DS/L St. Henry | 2024 State #127 Nation KY , Macy Lentz Macy Lentz 5'10" | S St. Henry | 2024 State KY , and Kaleigh Frietch Kaleigh Frietch 5'8" | DS/L St. Ursula | 2024 State OH , along with Gillespie, provide some of the most exciting defensive play at this level. They all work well together and have the ability to see the floor well, which enhances their first step reaction to the ball.
Working her way back from an injury is pin hitter Sydney Barrett Sydney Barrett 6'0" | OH Kings | 2024 State #119 Nation OH . She had extended opportunities throughout Show Me and found good success but clearly is not at the level she was prior to getting hurt with an ankle injury back at the NIT event in this same city. Her progress is promising and now that this team has secured their open-level bid, she can focus on her recovery to be at full strength this summer.
This team have been hovering the top of the national rankings although having not competed yet at full strength. With a runner-up finish at NIT, here again in the Show Me event, a top-five finish at MEQ, and finishing thrid at Bluegrass, they are proving to be one to continue watching given their individual talent and collective team competitiveness.