16R wins Silver Bracket at Steubenville American Tournament!

“We really wanted a Saturday tournament in March,” said Rogue330 Director Gary Underwood, “and I thought we could tackle a higher level tournament by now.”

As it turns out, Underwood was right. The 16-Regional team from Rogue330 spent Saturday in Big Red Country, battling a field of American-level teams that taught us a few lessons along the way. “I’m sure we missed our two players on Spring Break (Abby and Maddie), but the other girls stepped up and covered the court so well together!”

In pool play, the Rogues were matched against three of the top teams in the 16-team field, including high-ranked teams from Morgantown (WV) and Allegheny VBC. Since we were the ONLY “regional” team in the event, we were the 16th-seed, considered the lowest-ranking, least-likely-to-win-a-game team from that new club up north. Most of the morning, however, Rogue330 gave each opponent our best fight and effort and made them earn every point. Terrific front-row power from Gracie Dale and Khyla Blair was simply impressive.

Usually focusing-on-setting players like Alexa Pablo and Summer Brown wound up playing all-around for the entire day. “Alexa and Summer are incredible,” said Underwood, “their energy and joy and passion for the game simply won’t stop!”

As it turns out, the Rogues were in the toughest pool, and lost all three of their pool matches on Saturday morning. Then came the long march down the hall, up the stairs, and into another gym for the Silver Bracket.

“All season long, our Rogue16s seem to play better as the day goes on and they get stronger,” said Underwood. This seemed to be the case when they won their first game in the Silver bracket against one of the (shocked) teams from Allegheny VBC in two sets.

In the Silver Bracket Final, Rogue330 battled a stingy team from TRIBE VBC in an epic 3-set showdown for the ages. “I know it’s just a volleyball game, but this felt like a marathon,” said Underwood. Throughout the sets, Coach Mandy Dale and Jennie Underwood encouraged the girls to keep fighting, never give up, and choose how they wanted this weekend to be remembered.

Stellar serving runs by Alexa Pablo and Summer Brown kept the points coming. Gracie and Khyla dominated the front row. Emily Epperly and Carlie Bennethum made repeated big plays and never seemed to back down from a challenge. Lilly Samaco was simply Lilly Samaco, the captain making key plays all over the court. In the final set, which Rogue330 wound up winning 15-12, Libero Julie Underwood seemed to be everywhere at once, no matter how or where the hits were coming from. “I know I’m her Dad,” said Underwood, “but I still have no idea how she gets to some of those hits, goes to the ground every time, and bounces back up for the next one. I’m beyond proud of her and every girl on this team!”

This was the second time the Rogue16s have won a Silver Bracket, but this one was special. Because this was an American-level tournament, Underwood had to push for this team to get a spot. After repeated phone calls and messages and conversations, Steubenville’s tournament director and the OVR agreed to let our 16 Regional team enter this event as the 16th seed.

“All of these girls belong here, and this team proved it today,” said Underwood. “I can’t wait to see them play again in Sandusky!” Like the Rogue330 18s team, the 16s travel to Sandusky for a 24-team Shoreline Showdown against all regional-level teams. We know they’ll be ready to show what they can do!