The last day of action brought a ton of excitement and a lot of shakeups at MEQ. You can read about the 16-18 Open semifinals and finals matches in the MEQ: Gold Medal Rundown. And with the qualifier season still early on for the younger ages plenty of bids were awarded. So now let’s talk about the athletes who shined on Day 3.
DAY 3 SHOW STOPPERS
Macy Hinshaw S Munciana 18 Samurai: Hinshaw, a 4-star Santa Clara signee, is a smooth operator on the court. She is a hustler on the court and shows strong leadership in directing the offense.
Spencer Etzler/Addison ApplegateDS Munciana 18 Samurai: Etzer and Applegate, 4-star recruit committed to Texas A&M, were so much fun to watch. Both are defensive specialists who bring explosive defense and steady ball control to their squad.
Claire Luoma L MKE Sting 18 Gold: Luoma, a 4-star Clemson signee, is a dynamic player who passes dimes and a scrappy defender who can hit the floor to make a save.
Jae Fitting DS MKE Sting 18 Gold: Fitting, a Loyola Chicago signee, is a defense specialist, who makes big plays when needed and holds steady in serve receive.
Grace Nelson OH 1st Alliance 18 Gold: Nelson, a 4-star Kansas signee, is a powerful outside who swings with a vengeance. She is also a scrapper defensively.
Gretchen Sigman RS Team Pineapple 18 Black: Sigman, 3-star Cincinnati signee, is a lefty who is a firecracker on the court. She gives her squad another go-to option consistently.
Logan Bell OH Circle City 17 Purple: Bell, a 4-star recruit committed to Oregon, glides and flies on the outside. She brings the hammer and a ton of energy to the court.
Jumana Martin L CUVC 17 Open: Martin, a 3-star recruit committed to College of Charleston, brings a level of calm, control, and consistency to her side of the court.
Miliani Villarreal L COAST 17-1: Villarreal, a Sacred Heart commit, was electric yesterday. Whether it was ball control, defense, or serving well, she did it all.
Jolyna Salas S COAST 17-1: Salas, a Point Loma commit, was dishing her hitters with grace and precision.
Hannah Hankerson OH OT 17 T Aaron: Hankerson, a 3-star recruit, is an explosive undersized hitter. She has a quick jump and fast arm and is difficult to time up.
Lily Hayes L OT 17 T Aaron: Hayes, a 3-star recruit committed to Florida, has a laidback demeanor and is super smooth. She rarely misses a play.
Abbey Hayes OH Six Pack 17: Hayes, 3-star recruit committed to Creighton, gives plenty to the lineup hitting and defending. She was making plays in the back row and showing off her smarts attacking.
Ella Rogers S Six Pack 17: Rogers, a 3-star recruit, has a nice touch and an ability to move the ball around and get her various hitters involved on a consistent basis.
Hannah Gardner S CSDP 17 National: Gardner, Missouri State commit, is smooth and has accurate delivery and dishes the ball around with the best of them.
Victoria Gray OH OP2 17-1 Elite: Gray, a Rockhurst commit, is a heady scorer who does well taking what the defense gives. She can also connect and unleash when needed.
Sydney Bates S Dead Frog 17 Black: Bates, College of Charleston recruit, has nice hands and consistently puts her hitters in good spots to score.
Sophia Overholt OH Stars 17 Helle: Overholt is an explosive hitter who hits the line with a vengeance if given the opportunity.
Reese Shugart OH Stars 17 Helle: Shugart, a 2026 athlete, has a nice quick swing and brings heat at times.
Caroline Ward RS Boiler Jrs 161E Gold: Ward, a 2027 5-star recruit, makes an impact whenever on the court. She provides a wall on defense and when she connects she hits with a very heavy hand.
Lexi Shondell S Boiler Jrs 161E Gold: Shondell, a 4-star recruit, is a smooth setter with great poise. She runs the offense well and keeps defenses on their toes.
Sara Snowbarger OH Mintonette Sports – m.61: Snowbarger, a 4-star recruit, is a smart hitter who can menace defenses with her shot variation. She was serving with authority all day.
Mallory Matheny S Mintonette Sports – m.61: Matheny, a 4-star recruit, has nice hands and sets a clean ball. She’s accurate and does well moving the ball around and keeping defenses on their toes.
Gabi Rodriguez MADFROG 16’S N GREEN: Rodriquez, a 4-star recruit, is fast and covers ground in a hurry. She can be seen flying all over the court in pursuit of the ball.
Ruby McDermott L A5 16-1 Gabe: McDermott, a 3-star recruit, is an intense competitor who plays all out and is steady and consistent with her passing.