Let me tell you, the start of the Nike Mideast Qualifier in Indy was an absolute spectacle of star power that took the courts by storm. The level of talent here this weekend is staggering, to say the least. If you had a chance to dive into Chris Tobolski’s MEQ preview, you’d have seen the lineup and known that this tournament was prepped to be an incredible showcase of talent. And while Day One was exciting and filled with great volleyball talent, I couldn’t see everyone play. So needless to say I am looking forward to watching much more action on Day 2.
For the most part, “most” top seeds held their seed into Saturday’s pools. In 18 Open, Six Pack 18 and Circle City 18 Purple were the two second seeds in their respective pools which captured the top finish. In 17 Open, FC Elite 17 Navy and Elevation 17 Cabo were also No. 2 seeds that captured the top finish in their pool. And in 16 Open, Rev 16-1 Fury and NKYVC 16-1 Tsunami were more No. 2 seeds which captured first in their pool.
DAY 1 SHOW STOPPERS
Ella Holloway RS MemphisVBAcademy 18 Red: Holloway, a 3-star High Point signee, was literally crushing balls on the court.
Elizabeth Andrew MB ATHENA VB 18-1 Gold: Andrew, a 5-star Stanford signee, is a huge presence on the court. Whether its offense or defense, Andrew owns it.
Delainy Williams S ATHENA VB 18-1 Gold: Williams, a Hobart and William Smith Colleges signee, was running the show for her squad. She is an athlete who has a great touch on the ball.
Maya Evens L WAVE 18-Brennan: Evens, a 4-star recruit 2025 committed to Notre Dame, displays a smoothness to the way she plays libero. She’s always under control, makes aggressive plays, and brings energy to the court.
Alexis Weinberg OH BVA 18 Elite Hannah: Weiberg was an athlete who got my attention swinging with a vengeance as I walked by court. She hits a high, heavy ball.
Grace Killion HPSTL 18 Royal: Killion, a High Point signee, was effective in key moments. She was a go-to offensively over and over again.
Hadley Hardersen RS PowerPlex 17U Mendieta: Hardersen is a lefty pin who has a lively arm and when she connected she launched balls past the defense.
Mia Clyburn MB CUVC 17 Open: Clyburn, a 3-star Gonzaga commit, is a fast middle blocker who not only swings well but brings a ton of fire to the court.
Rebecca Ring OH VC United 171 Elite: Ring, a 4-star recruit committed to NC State, is a six-rotation pin who has a huge presence on the court. She hits a heavy ball and puts up a great block.
Sydney Mayfield RS Paramount VBC 17 Nick Paramount: Mayfield was swinging aggressively and challenging bigger blocks with success all day.
Alanah Clemente RS Supernova 17 National: Clemente is fun to watch on the court. She is a lefty who explodes off the ground and cranks on the regular.
Maya Joska S/RS EU U17-Black Evansville: Joska, a Virginia Tech commit, plays with a lot of passion and energy. She’s feisty as a hitter and smart as a setter.
Kate Shafer S Adrenaline 17 Ben: Shafer, a UNI recruit, has a smooth delivery and clean sets. She dishes with consistent accuracy to all her hitters.
Chloe Meester OH Adrenaline 17 Ben: Meester, a 3-star recruit committed to Louisville, is an all-out competitor who brings tons of fire to the court. She was hammering balls down everywhere she was set.
Brighten Sedmack OH USA South 17 Premier Purp: Sedmack is an undersized outside who jumps well and has a quick arm to beat blocks.
Makenna Grimes RS Buckeye 17 Black National: Grimes, a 3-star recruit, is an explosive lefty right side who hits with fire and adds a layer of defense at the net.
Emma Parks OH AVC Cle 17 Red: Parks, a 4-star Marquette commit, soars on the outside. She is a smooth outside who can power through the block or just hit over it.
Annabelle Groomes S AVC Cle 17 Red: Groomes, a 5-star athlete committed to San Diego, is super smooth and can keep defenses guessing with her ability to set from different positions and angles.
Ava Hunter S Circle City 17 Purple: Hunter, a 3-star recruit committed to Loyola Chicago, has a smooth delivery and clean sets. She dishes with consistent accuracy to all her hitters.
Isabelle Kremer OH Iowa Rockets 16R: Kremer was showing tremendous potential. She was taking aggressive swings and showcasing a lively arm that was lighting defenses up.
Cassidy Bruns L MKE Sting 16 Gold: Bruns, a 4-star recruit, is a gamer with hustle. She does a good job picking up balls coming her way and helping set the defensive tone.
Dasia Johnson OH Wildfire 16N Open: Johnson is an athletic undersized outside who brings fire on offense and is quick in defense.
Genevieve Harris S Academy 16 Diamond NC: Harris, a 5-star recruit, dishes from pin to pin or from the spectator area to the outside with ease. She dishes her hitters efficiently too.
Lindsay Snyder OH Munciana 16 Blaze: Snyder is an undersized outside who brings fire, no fear, and power to the outside. She was lights out swinging.
Dawn Moore RS MADFROG 16’S N GREEN: Moore, a 3-star recruit, is a lefty with a huge vertical and a fast whip of an arm.
Meredith Martin L/DS 16-1 Adidas Legacy: Martin, a 4-star recruit, is a defensive anchor with good ball skills who is also steady and consistent in serve receive.
Abigail Schoene S/RS Rockwood Thunder 16 Elite Rockwood: Schoene has great hands and a strong sense on defense when she’s setting. She’s also a reliable scoring option with a great swing who can produce big kills.
Nadiya Johnson RS Metro 16 Travel Metro: Johnson, a 5-star recruit, is a presence both offensively and defensively for her squad. The sky is literally the limit for her.
