QND’s Hoing helps Rockwood Thunder club volleyball team qualify for nationals

QUINCY — Emma Hoing and her club volleyball team saved the best for last.

Playing in their fourth and final national qualifier, the Rockwood Thunder Volleyball Club, based in St. Louis, finished second in the Big South Qualifier in Atlanta two weeks ago to earn a spot in the Girls Junior National Championship.

Hoing, a sophomore at Quincy Notre Dame, is an outside hitter for the Rockwood Thunder 16 Navy team, which is part of the eighth-ranked club in the nation. Teams must place in the top three at a qualifier to earn a bid to nationals.

Previously, the 16 Navy team finished fourth in a tournament in Salt Lake City, fifth at the qualifier in Indianapolis and 17th in a trip to Kansas City.

The GKNC — formerly known as the Junior Olympics — takes place June 23-July 4 in Indianapolis. The 16 Navy team qualified in the USA division, the second highest of six divisions in each age group. There are more than 5,000 teams nationwide in the 16U category with 36 qualifying for the Open division at nationals and 36 qualifying for the USA division.

“It is an honor just to qualify,” Hoing said.

Last year, Hoing’s club team was ranked third in the nation and qualified for the Open division but wound up finishing 11th.

“It was a disappointment,” Hoing said. “I hope we can top that this season.”

The Big South qualifier featured more than 1,000 teams playing on 175 courts with more than 200 college coaches in attendance.

“(The qualifiers) are really cool because you get to play the best teams from around the country,” Hoing said. “ I have gotten to play against girls from almost every state and even Puerto Rico.”

The 16 Navy team lost to a team from South Carolina in the Big South qualifier, while falling to teams from California and Texas while playing in Salt Lake City. Hoing said the Kansas City event featured teams from Hawaii and Alaska as well.

The club season has allowed Hoing, who played a pivotal role last fall when QND reached the Class 2A super-sectionals, to expand her game as a hitter.

“I have gotten to hit outside and play more back row,” Hoing said. “Last season, my (clud) team was so good I played right side and played very little back row. I prefer hitting outside but will play wherever the team needs me.”

Hoing also has been working on a topspin serve, which she says has been fiery.

“I can’t wait to break it out (with QND),” Hoing said. “I want us to win state like the basketball girls.”