MVP United Earns Bid to the USA Volleyball National Championships

April 6, 2023

NORTH SIOUX CITY, SD - MVP United 16 Red played in the Show Me National Volleyball Qualifier in Kansas City last weekend where they claimed the 16 USA Show Me National Qualifier Championship and earned a bid to the USA Volleyball National Championships happening July 3-6 in Chicago!

This was the second National Qualifier the team has attended, the first being the Red Rock Rave in Las Vegas in April of 2022. This year, the team entered the USA Division as the 27th seed in the tournament out of 46 teams. The USA Division is one division higher than the group competed at in the 2022 AAU National Championships where they took home the 15 Club National Title. After three days of competition, the team finished with an 8-2 record against some tough competition, having to go 3-sets in four of the matches. On their way to the title, they played teams from eight different states.

“Words cannot describe how proud I am of our team winning the Show Me National Qualifier!” states Assistant Coach and Volleyball Director, Melissa Smith. “We faced tough competition from start to finish. We didn’t start the tournament strong, but the girls rallied together and ended the tournament playing some of their best volleyball to date! It was a total team effort with each of the athletes contributing at key times during the ten-game tourney. I am happy that their continued hard work and dedication resulted in this bid to compete at the USAV National Championships which will be held in Chicago in July!"

MVP United 16 Red athletes include Bailey Boeve (Hinton), Kinslee Walrod (Sioux City North), Addie Kleis (Dakota Valley), Maddy Jackson (Sioux City East), Ava Lloyd (Sioux City North), Ireland Jackson (Sioux City North), Maliyah Hacker (Bishop Heelan), Hollie Peterson (Sioux City East), Jadyn Hofmeyer (Unity Christian) and Claire Munch (Dakota Valley). 16 Red is coached by Rick Pruett and Melissa Smith.

“This was an amazing accomplishment for 16 Red and MVP as a whole,” remarks Head Coach and Club Director, Rick Pruett. “The girls were focused and came to win on championship day. We struggled through a couple of losses the first two days, but the team managed the games well and stayed in a poised position during the long tournament. I am so proud of how they played and their mentality to push through the tough competition. Everyone on this team stepped up and that is why this team is headed to Chicago for the USA Volleyball National Championships this July! We finished better than any club program in our Region at the Show Me Qualifier which speaks volumes of the talent of this team and our club.”

MVP United Volleyball Club is located in the CNOS Fieldhouse in North Sioux City, SD. Visit mvpvolley.org for more information about training and our 501(c)(3) non-profit club organization.