Show Me: Day 2 Show Stoppers And More

As for the 15 Open bid chase, all the drama took place on Day 2. That’s because we know the three teams that are leaving Show Me qualified for Open after Sunday’s results. There was plenty of potential for the final day of play to produce a climatic close to the three days of competition. But one large surprise ended that.

The second day of action started off with all six previously-qualified teams in contention in 15 Open. However, it ended with only three advancing to the two, three-team gold pools set for Monday. That means the remaining three clubs in the gold pools – PVA 15 Elite, KC Power 15 Black and Rockwood Thunder 15 Elite – already know their fate before hitting the court on Day 3. No matter the results, they’ll earn bids.

The shocker came with national No. 3 OT 15 Randy – the No. 2 overall seed – going 1-2 in Pool 2 and not advancing. With TAV 15 Fifer and NE Elite 15 Revolution also not moving on, it took the drama away for Day 3. Had one of that trio advanced, it would have brought the silver bracket into play.

I for one was pulling for that scenario to play out, but that’s the thing about qualifiers. There’s always an unexpected twist around the corner and I did not see this one coming. Not sure anyone did with OT falling to both KC Power and PVA. KC Power ended the day at 3-0, followed by PVA at 2-1.

Filling out the gold pools are previously-qualified Skyline 15 Royal, VCNebraska 15 Elite and Premier Nebraska 15 Gold. Skyline and Premier Nebraska were in Pool 1 together, along with TAV and NE Elite. All four had bids already and only two could advance. That certainly created an opportunity for others.

Rockwood Thunder went 2-1 in Pool 3, finishing tied with VCNebraska and taking first based on the head-to-head tiebreaker. VCNebraska barely pulled through in its last outing against Paramount 15 Nick, winning 25-15, 22-25, 15-13, and ending Paramount’s hopes of qualifying. Had VCNebraska not advanced, that would have brought a bit of drama to the Day 3 gold pools.

While the bid chase is over in 15 Open, the scenarios in 16 Open are many. Among the happenings on Day 2 was previously-qualified HJV 16 Elite going 1-2 and finishing third in its pool. However, there were two play-in brackets and HJV prevailed in one of them to make one of the four, three-team gold pools. MJVA 16 Elite survived the other one.

As for the gold pools, I’m really looking forward to seeing how they play out on Day 3. That’s because the other big news was OP2 16-1 Elite upsetting previously-qualified Boiler Jrs 16 Gold in pool play to finish first. That knocked Boiler Jrs into Pool 1 as the No. 3 team for Day 3. Also in that pool is top-seeded Skyline 16 Royal and previously-qualified MN Select 16-1.

What I’m watching for is if teams which finish in second place in the gold pools will still have a shot to qualify or not.

Pool 2 doesn’t feature any qualified teams, while Pool 3 features Mizuno Long Beach 16 Rockstar and Pool 4 contains HJV. There are lots of scenarios that can play out, but if only one qualified team advances to the top four, then the other three teams will earn bids. However, if two or more qualified teams – only three can advance in all – make the final four, teams coming in second place will playoff for the last bid or bids. That could create a fantastic conclusion on Monday.

As for 17 Open, both qualified teams in Hou Skyline 17 Royal and MAVS KC 17-1 are in the mix. They are split up between the two, four-team gold pools. Of the remaining six teams, three are going to earn bids. Pool 1 is filled out by Northern Lights 17-1, Dynasty 17 Black and Mich Elite 17 Mizuno.

Mich Elite had quite the day after starting off 0-2. However, Mich Elite managed to edge PVA 17 Elite in three, 25-16, 23-25, 21-19, to create a three-way tie at 1-2 with PVA and MN Select. Mich Elite earned second place behind 3-0 GP 17 Rox.

GP is part of Pool 2, along with MAVS, Rockwood Thunder 17 Elite and HPSTL 17 Royal. HPSTL also finished in a three-way tie at 1-2 with MJVA 17 Elite and Austin Skyline 17 Royal but took second to remain alive. MAVS avoided a three-way tie at 1-2 by beating Dynasty in the last match. Both finished 2-1 with MAVS earning the head-to-head tiebreaker.

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DAY 2 SHOW STOPPERS

Logan Cary S/RS FRVBC 17 Black: Cary – a 2026 recruit playing up – helps make up a solid setter/right side duo for Front Range. She’s skillful at both, able to locate consistently while finding space in the defense when attacking.

Audrey Hollis S/RS FRVBC 17 Black: A UC San Diego commit, Hollis fills out the setter/right side combo for Front Range. She’s above average in both categories. She has a nice touch setting and sees the court well when swinging.

Sydni Vice OH MJVA 17 Elite: Vice – a 4-star recruit from the Class of 2026 – is really long. She can extend way up in the air and not only can easily go over blocks but has a fluid swing to match.

Ella Seeger OH MJVA 17 Elite: A 3-star Wright State commit, Seeger is a strong attacker with a solid arm. She hits with power and provides a definite boost to the attack.

Shelby Ignash MB Mich Elite 17 Mizuno: Ignash – a 3-star Texas Tech commit – adds an offensive dynamic when she’s across the front row. Mich Elite looks to get her involved as much as possible and she delivers more times than not.

Ella Craggs S Mich Elite 17 Mizuno: A 3-star Illinois State, Craggs does a great job of spreading the ball around. She directs a balanced offense that keeps defenses honest.

Lydia Chinchar RS No Name 17 Sarah: Chinchar – a 5-star recruit from the Class of 2027 – is a force offensively. She’s a six-rotation right side who passes out of serve receive. She’s a real threat front and back row and can absolutely unload on swings.

Mattea Casale L/DS No Name 17 Sarah: A 3-star Purdue commit, Casale is a sound defender. She reads and reacts well in addition to covering a lot of ground with her quickness.

Gabrielle Clinkscale OH Rockwood Thunder 17 Elite: A Middle Tennessee commit, Clinkscale is a bit undersized but can get up and unload in a hurry. Her speed and quickness are definite advantages for her.

Maddy Bach S Rockwood Thunder 17 Elite: Bach – a Memphis commit – did a really nice job distributing the ball. She was connecting well with her hitters and locating regularly.

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Madison Hooper OH Ozark Juniors 17 Elite: A 3-star recruit who touches over 10-feet, Hooper plays a integral role as a six-rotation outside. She can hit from high angles and can put shots away whether front or back row.

Elli Tufto RS Northern Lights 17-1: A Montana State recruit, Tufto was bringing it on the right side. She has an easy swing and was ripping shots when her number was called.

Macie Smith OH Academy 16 Yeti: Smith – a 3-star recruit – is long and adds size to the attack. She swings right over blocks and can score front and back row.

Lexi Kedvesh L/DS Academy 16 Yeti: A 3-star defender, Kedvesh doesn’t flinch against big hitters. She does well extending rallies and passing on point.

Avery White RS Premier Nebraska 16 Gold: White was finding ways to score and help her side. She’s a bit undersized but has a strong arm and was taking aggressive swings and pressuring the defense.

Lauren Taylor RS Ozark Juniors 16 Elite: Taylor was another right side who was lifting the offense. She has a smooth swing and is someone defenses to need to keep track of as Ozark likes to get her involved often.

Tyra McKinnie MB OP2 16-1 Elite: McKinnie is an athletic middle with plenty of upside. She’s quick and can get out on the slide in a hurry and pound winners.

Ava Beasley MJVA 16 Elite: Beasley is a six-rotation outside who is a key contributor. She has a powerful arm and she’s relentless with it.

Addison Haberthy S Circle City 16 Purple: Haberthy – a 4-star recruit – does well guiding the offense. She has nice hands and sets on target regularly.

Ella Warrick OH Circle City 16 Purple: Warrick is a bit undersized but jumps well. She also has a strong arm and can power shots off blocks in providing a punch to the lineup.

Bennett Raterman MB HPSTL 16 Royal: Raterman – a 5-star recruit – makes an impact at the net. She puts up a big block and can pump her team up with massive blocks. She can also hammer shots down to score points in that manner.

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Sarah Hickman RS HJV 16 Elite: A 4-star recruit, Hickman is a lanky right side who can really stretch out, hit over blocks and create tough angles.

Alyssa Todd OH TAV 15 Fifer: Todd is a stringy outside with a loose arm and ability to let it fly. She can get over blocks and exploit holes in the back row.

Aubree Pratt RS TAV 15 Fifer: Pratt is another pin hitter with length who gets involved in the offense. She can come with it and deliver impressive kills when the chance arises.

Callie Gardner L/DS TAV 15 Fifer: Gardner was making plays in the back row and passing steady.

Samantha Karjala RS OT 15 Randy: Karjala was filling her role on the right side in fashion. She was coming through when set and scoring well.

Ella Horvick L/DS OT 15 Randy: Horvick – a 3-star recruit – is a calming presence in the back row. She was passing well out of serve receive and showing solid first-ball touches.

Taylor Harrington MB Paramount 15 Nick: A 3-star recruit, Harrington is a huge presence in the middle. She’s a fiery competitor who contributes on both sides of the ball with her blocking and attacking.

Shaye Witherspoon OH Rockwood Thunder 15 Elite: Witherspoon – a 5-star recruit – has a big-time arm and is tough to slow down. She can go over, around or through blocks and cause havoc sideline to sideline.

Addison Otto RS Northern Lights 15-1: Otto is a lefty right side who gets involved in the offense when in system. She showed a nice variety of shots.

Parker Horton MB Skyline 15 Royal: Horton – a 3-star recruit – showed up strong in the middle. She’s able to hit over blocks and keep defenses in check with her being a reliable option.

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Dakota Huynh L/DS Skyline 15 Royal: Huynh – a 3-star recruit – flies around the court in pursuit of the ball. She provides a lot of energy on the defensive side too.

Morgan Hampton OH PVA 15 Elite: Hampton is a six-rotation outside and a key part of the lineup. She has a wide range of shots and knows how to frustrate defenses.

McKinley Moser S VCNebraska 15 Elite: Moser – a 4-star recruit – is a smooth disher. She sets a clean ball, uses all her hitters and locates consistently.