2019 Club Preview: Top U18 Teams in Minnesota
With the high school season well behind us and many athletes settled into their club teams, we volleyball fans are in for a treat. High school foes now become teammates with lofty goals of qualifying bids, regional titles, and national…
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Continue ReadingWith the high school season well behind us and many athletes settled into their club teams, we volleyball fans are in for a treat. High school foes now become teammates with lofty goals of qualifying bids, regional titles, and national championships at stake. With the depth of talent in Minnesota this means that several clubs will feature teams that will no doubt compete very well for state and region bragging rights as well as high-level rankings on the national stage.
Here are six of the best U18 teams to watch this club season, including their uncommitted athletes:
Northern Lights 18-1
Not only one of the best in the region, this squad may well be one of the best on the national scene. Featuring Big 10 recruits such as Kennedi Orr (Nebraska commit), Kyndra Hansen and Blythe Rients (Iowa commits) as well as Ellie Husemann and Rachel Kilkelly (Minnesota commits), look for NL 18-1 to establish themselves early in the season as one to beat.
Uncommitted athletes:
Erika Bute – Lib/S | 2019 | Alden-Conger HS
Mizuno M1 18-1
This is a well-balanced team with great ball control and terminating ability. Led by the hard hitting Elizabeth Juhnke (South Dakota commit) and the adept back row skills and leadership from Alena Moldan (New Mexico commit), M1 will certainly provide some great competition for their opponents and some exciting play for their fans. This team also includes several uncommitted athletes with great skills and experience, including middles Nicole Banitt and Emily Torborg as well as setters Ella Haugen and Sarah Luong.
Uncommitted athletes:
Nicole Banitt – MB | 2019 |
Lakeville South
HS
Alaina Bohrer – OH/MB | 2019 | Edina HS
Ella Haugen – S | 2019 | Edina HS
Sarah Luong – S | 2020 | Benilde-St. Margaret’s
Bailee Swanson – OH | 2019 | Fairmont HS
Emily Torborg – RS/MB | 2020 |
Lakeville South
HS
SMV 18-1 Black
Great athleticism is a good description of this collection of talent. This team has potential to wear teams down with their defense and the several many arms that can score points offensively. Illinois State landed two high quality athletes in Kaitlyn Prondzinski and Nicole Lund, while Rachel Fink (Southwest MN State commit) provides great six-rotation contributions on both sides offensively and defensively. Add uncommitted athletes such as Kelly Klees, Emilee Terry, and Morgan LaVigne to this mix and it creates a versatile and well-round squad. Don’t be surprised if SMV 18-1 Black gets some quality wins against other teams on this list this club season.
Uncommitted athletes:
Bailey Berge – L/DS | 2019 | Kasson-Mantorville HS
Caroline Braun – OH/DS | 2019 | Kasson-Mantorville HS
Emma Goss – RS/MH | 2020 | Rochester Mayo HS
Kelly Klees – S | 2020 | Rochester Mayo HS
Morgan LaVigne – RS/MH | 2020 | Wabasha-Kellogg HS
Eden Mueller – OH/RS | 2021 | John Marshall HS
Emilee Terry – OH/MH | 2020 | Kasson-Mantorville HS
Mina Wimmer – S/DS | 2019 | Rochester Century HS
SWMNVB 18-1
A club that has created a great legacy of developing quality athletes and winning on the biggest stages, SWMNVB 18-1 will once again offer up some of the best volleyball in the region. Led by Lydia Sussner (Southwest MN State commit) and Maddy Guetter (Augustana commit), this team also features some of great versatility and competitive experience from uncommitted athletes like Meeghen Dahlager, Bria Morris, and Alyssa Groves. This is a team college coaches will be watching very closely given the stock among these athletes that continues to climb.
Uncommitted athletes:
Paige Andries – MB/OH | 2020 | Marshall HS
Meeghen Dahlager – MB/OH/RS | 2019 | Yellow Medicine East
Alyssa Groves – RS | 2020 | Murray County Central
Maddie Hinz – S | 2020 | Yellow Medicine East
Sophie Johnson – OH/DS | 2020 | Hendricks
Bria Morris – OH | 2020 | Marshall HS
Mia Schnaible – L/DS | 2020 Marshall HS
Kasie Tweet – S | 2020 | Adrian HS
Northern Lights 18-2
As Minnesota features great depth of athletic talent, Northern Lights is certainly one of those clubs that has plenty of depth given the many teams they feature across all age groups. The 18-2 team deserves mention here as they feature some terrific athletes that will transition to some of the best college programs next year. Gabrielle McCaa is bound for the University of Southern California, Claire Nuessmeier to Marquette, Dresden Pass is headed to Central Florida, and Tori Thompson will be off to South Dakota State University.
Uncommitted athletes:
Sarah Johnson – OH/RS | 2019 | Burnsville HS