On the second day of the Adidas Bluegrass Tournament all age groups were in full effect. In the morning wave the “even” age group divisions (10,12,14,16,18) squared off followed by the “odd” age groups (11,13,15,17) in the afternoon. Overall the day was filled with an electrifying showcase of volleyball skills, packed with incredible play and spectacular displays of athleticism.
The national volleyball pipeline is brimming with budding talent. Witnessing these young athletes — some playing one, two, even three levels beyond their age — competing with poise is a testament to the future of the sport. Their ability to not just participate, but to truly contend, is a thrilling spectacle for volleyball enthusiasts everywhere. Keep an eye out for these athletes: 2028 Kairos 15 Alpha setter Josalyn Samuels, 2029 Kairos 14 Alpha outside hitter Julia Masselink, and 2029 S/RS Evelyn Shirk Dunes 16 Black.
And fun fact for everyone this is the 30th Anniversary of the Bluegrass Tournament. Kudos KIVA!
DAY 2 SHOW STOPPERS
Morgan Asleson L SPVB 18 Elite: Asleson, a 2025 Dayton commit, is steady out of serve receive. She also reads and anticipates well which helps her be in the right spots to make plays.
Hailee Mack L IMGA 18: There’s a smoothness to the way 3-star Vandebilt signee Mack plays. She’s always under control and rarely misses as pass or dig.
Delaney Gash OH Lex United 18 Elite: Gash, an Akron signee, is an outside with a knack for scoring. She’s a physical, hard swinger and plays with lots of aggression.
Makayla Bays OH K2 18 Adidas Jota: Bays, an East Tennessee State signee, was hammering the line while I was watching the court. I love her intensity on defense too.
Kelly Kinney OH Tribe 17 Elite Cardinal: Kinney, a 5-star Minnesota commit, is incredibly smart offensively. While she is known for her aggressive swings, she is also very smart in shot placement which I love to see.
Jordyn Hughes MB Dead Frog 17 Black: Hughes, a UConn commit, is an undersized middle who is very quick both laterally and jumping. Her swing is fast and aggressive.
Mariah Gaines OH OPVC 17 Day: Gaines, a 3-star recruit committed to Dayton, is a strong six-rotation player with good passing skills. She hits front and back row and is a heady attacker.
Ellie Hepler L Boiler Jrs 161E Gold: Hepler, a 4-star recruit, is smooth out of serve receive. She also has great technique both defensively and while passing.
Cali Foster OH Boiler Jrs 161E Gold: Foster, a 4-star recruit, attacks from the back row with a vengeance. She is also very scrappy defensively.
Lily Van Hal & Londyn Smith S Kairos 16 Alpha: Van Hal/Smith are the setters on their squad. Both have a great touch on the ball and connect well with their hitters.
Makenzie Walsh & Kya Keegan RS Kairos 16 Alpha: Walsh/Keegan were the right side pins on their squad. Both provided a defensive wall for their squad.
Leilani Ramos S Tribe 16 Elite Cardinal: Ramos brings both smooth dishing and a no fear 5-1 setter tone to the court.
Alexa Benda MB Bama Elite 16 Spartans: Benda is a literally wall defensively at the net. She moves well laterally consistently.
Evelyn Shirk S/RS Dunes 16 Black: Shirk is a 2029 playing up and hanging quite well in the 16’s age group. She packs a punch offensively in the front row while dishing with strength in the back row.
Tallulah Carney MB K2 16-1 Adidas: Carney is fast, long, and aggressive in the middle. She is one to watch grow in this game.
Ryea Jackson MB IMGA 16: Jackson, a 4-star recruit, runs a quick in the middle like nobody’s business. It’s quite impressive.
Amirra Bailey MB BRAVO 16 Black: Whenever you walk by a court Bailey, a 5-star recruit, is on you just have to stop and watch. She is a force both offensively and defensively at the net.
Courtney Burgess S/RS Armor 16 Valor: Burgess is a strong disher who makes big plays both as a setter and a hitter.
Josalyn Samuels S Kairos 15 Alpha: Samuels, a 2028 5-star recruit, runs the show well on the court. She dishes with precision and aggression which is fun to watch.
Sarah Stegall OH Team Pineapple 15 Black: Stegall is an athletic outside hitter who swings with a heavy hand and no fear.
Kyla Williams MB AVC CLE 15 Red: Williams, a 4-star recruit, holds a huge presence on the court. She can literally go over blockers when she connects.
Audrey Utterback OH Circle City 14 Purple: Utterback, a 3-star recruit, is literally following in her sister’s footsteps. She can fly offensively and when she connects down the line, watch out!
Julia Masselink OH Kairos 14 Alpha: Masselink, a 2029 outside, is an offensive weapon who plays well above her age level.
Gia Stokes MB Boiler Jrs 131E Gold: Stokes attacks in middle with fire and force. She moves laterally well which makes her a defensive gem.
Ava Anders OH AVC CLE 13 Red: Anders is a six rotation outside who hits a high and heavy ball well.
