Day 3 at the Adidas Bluegrass Volleyball Tournament was filled with excitement as Championship Sunday kicked off. The battle for the gold was fierce and electric which you can read about in the Bluegrass: Gold Medal rundown. But beyond the top prize buzz, athletes and spectators alike were revved up, ready to start the day with high energy and great expectations for the matches to come.
Witnessing the 18’s compete on Sunday was a special highlight for me. Having tracked the progress of these young talents over the years, it was deeply gratifying to see them perform at the peak of their abilities. With the club season reaching its crescendo in these final months, their display of skill and determination was a testament to their growth and the bright future that lies ahead in their volleyball careers.
While the majority of my attention was on the older age groups, I made sure to steal moments to watch the blossoming talent among the 12’s and 13’s divisions. These young athletes are the ones to watch; they’re the up-and-comers destined to shake up the volleyball scene. And bonus for me was being able to see teams that didn’t head to Triple Crown last month. Nationals are going to be intense once we get all the age group top dogs in one gym! Trust me. AND as these young athletes continue to compete and hone their skills, they are sure to add an exciting dimension to volleyball with their developing talents, enthusiasm, and potential to become the next big players in the scene.
DAY 3 SHOW STOPPERS
Morgan Gaerte OH Team Pineapple 18 Black: Gaerte, a 5-star Notre Dame signee, makes attacking on the pins look easy. She hits over blocks with ease, making her a major offensive force for her squad.
Mya Ball S Team Pineapple 18 Black: Ball, a 3-star Central Florida signee, is very aggressive and does a good job connecting with her hitters and moving the ball around to keep them involved.
Laura Eichert OH WVBA 18 Adidas: Eichert, a 2026 3-star recruit, was bringing big-time offense and helping power the attack along. One she gets started it’s hard to slow her down.
Lauren Harden OH Academy 18E Rage: Harden, a 5-star Florida signee, brings the heat on the outside and overpower defenders from wherever she swings.
Macy Hinshaw S Munciana 18 Samurai: Hinshaw, a 4-star Santa Clara signee, can spread the ball around and take advantage of the pieces the offense has to offer. She’s a competitor too and doesn’t back down.
Julia Hunt MB NKYVC 18-1 Tsunami: Hunt, a 4-star Washington signee, is a known presence in the middle blocker position but one thing she doesn’t get enough attention for is her smart net play. She sees the court incredibly well.
Emilee Fuller S Adidas KIVA 17 Red: Fuller ran the show for her squad this weekend incredibly well. She has nice hands and can fling it from pin to pin with ease.
Charlotte Glass S Tribe 17 Elite Cardinal: Glass, a 5-star recruit committed to Duke, is so fluid and a reliable setter with strong hands. She is also incredibly deceptive when setting in the front row.
Zoey Matias L Tribe 17 Elite Cardinal: Matias, a 4-star recruit committed to Missouri, is fun to watch. She makes both precise and acrobatic moves defensively with ease.
Lexi Shondell Boiler Jrs 161E Gold: Shondell, a 4-star recruit, is a bit undersized but don’t let that fool you. She is a top notch athlete who connects well with her hitters.
Madison Miles OH Boiler Jrs 161E Gold: Miles, a 4-star recruit, has a huge arm. She is an athlete who extends well and cranks with ease.
Lily Bosworth MB Illini Elite 16 Cardinal:l Bosworth, a 4-star recruit, is long and can put up a big block to slow down attackers with. She also hits at a high contact point.
Carsyn Comer MB Munciana 15 Blue: Comer, a 5-star recruit, is a handful in the middle. She moves laterally quickly providing great defense and then can switch gears and crank on the ball offensively.
Shania Rhamy OH Munciana 15 Blue: Rhamy is a threat front and back row. She jumps and swings well and can unleash impressive kills from everywhere on the court.
Penelope Reisman S Tri-State Elite 15 Blue: Reisman, a 2028 3-star recruit, does well distributing the ball and mixing up her sets. She has a nice touch and locates well.
Jillian Forrest MB Tri-State Elite 15 Blue: Forrest is a middle to watch grow in the game. She owns the net defensively.
Audrey Utterback OH Circle City 14 Purple: I have one word that describes Utterback, a 3-star recruit, which is explosive. And like her sister she can sky on the pins.
Charlee Groninger S Circle City 14 Purple: Groninger, a 3-star recruit, sets with a high contact point and moves the ball with ease.
Paislee Terry S Munciana 14 Chipmunks: Terry moves the ball well on the court. She is strong and has a great touch.
Abbie Powell MB Munciana 14 Chipmunks: Powell, a 3 star recruit, just keeps getting better. She has a fast arm swing topped off with whip of an arm.
Miranda Ludwick L Elevation 13 S J: Ludwick did a solid job patrolling the back row. She was passing consistently and helping keeps her squad in rallies by making digs.
Abby Mccory OH Circle City 13 Purple: Mccory is a spitfire on the outside. She is scrappy and not afraid to swing.
Story Nixon S Boiler Jrs 121E Gold: Nixon might be smaller than most on the court but she ran her team seamlessly in the setters role. She has great hands and dishes well to her hitters.
Maggie Widmer OH Boiler Jrs 121E Gold: Widmer connected well on the outside. She has a heavy hand and is very consistent offensively.
Natalie Bowman L Elevation 12 Berg: Bowman held it down in serve receive and defensively. She has great technique and is not scared to get “dirty”.
