AVVC 15-2 RED HOTS IN GOLD BRACKET AT MLK CLASSIC!!

The AVVC 15 Regional Red Hots kicked off their first weekend event at the MLK Classic in Lancaster, PA! In the Saturday round, the team went undefeated without even dropping a set!!  Right out of the gate the Red Hots set the pace of the pool defeating number 1 ranked Sparks White 25-21, 27-25.  Middle blocker Kate Stomber registered 3 blocks during the match, outside hitter Caitlyn Serafin had 3 kills, and libero Jessica Salter had 6 digs showing that their offense and defense was solid.  Next the Red Hots took on the 2^nd place team Under Armour Elite.  Opposite hitter Michaela Mason, setter Mara Giga, and middle blocker Kaelyn Heard each registering a block, lead the team to a 25-15, 25-17 win.  Giga and Heard also contributed with a combined 25 serves each with 4 aces.  Taking on the 4^th place team Fusion proved to end a solid day with a 25-17, 25-18 victory.  Outside hitter Meghan Swanton led the game with 3 kills and setter Julia Kouroupous with one kill and 5 serves.  Landing in first place in Saturday’s pool gave the Red Hots contention for the Gold division.

In the Sunday round, the games became even more competitive playing only first and second place teams from Saturdays pools. The Red Hots started off the first game to Sparks Blue ranked 4^th in the pool, a bit nervous dropping the first set 10-25.  However they rallied in the second game with a vengeance winning 26-24.  The third game went back a forth but the Red Hots proved they were driven finishing with an outstanding 15-12 win over Sparks Blue.  Defensive specialist Heidy Shi had top notch defense with 7 digs and one service ace.  Giga registered 2 solo blocks, one of which was a turning point in the second game and accumulated 4 kills.  Swanton also produced 2 kills during the match.  Coming off a battle with Sparks, the Red Hots were now faced with the number one team in the pool, the Bobcats.  The team battled but lost the match 12-25, 10-25.  Serafin and Stomber had contributed with a combined 4 kills.  For the last match of the day the Red Hots faced third place Norlanco which looked like it was going to be a tough match.  The Red Hots took an early lead and controlled the pace of the match easily taking the win 25-14, 25-13.  Swanton, Stomber, and Heard intimidated the hitters by playing outstanding defense each with a block.  Swanton also lead the team with 5 kills and Salter right behind with two.  Kouroupous registered 3 assists while setter Megan Mondon taking control with 2 aces.  With fantastic match play finishing 2-1, the Red Hots secured a second place finish in the pool.

Contribution from the Red Hots performance earned them a spot in the Gold bracket with contention to win the entire tournament in the 15s division!  With single elimination at stake the pressure was on. In the first round, the Red Hots faced top ranked Octane.  Starting the game off strong with Giga earning an ace it went back and forth early on then Octane took the lead.  Overall Octane won the match 12-25, 12-25 advancing them to the quarter finals and eventually winning the entire tournament.  Mason and Swanton both had one kill each while setter Jessica Lui, Stomber and Swanton each earned an ace. 

The Red Hots had an impressive start to their season finishing 8 out of 34 teams at the MLK Classic.  With such a powerful beginning we cannot wait to see what’s in store for this team.  We will have our eye on AVVC 15 Regional Red Hots as a top contender this season!