Mizuno Showcase – WI Dells 18U & 17U
The Mizuno Showcase will be held this weekend in the Wisconsin Dells. Players love the opportunity to play in the Dells, not just for the competition, but all the attractions. It will bring some of the best teams from…
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Continue ReadingThe Mizuno Showcase will be held this weekend in the Wisconsin Dells. Players love the opportunity to play in the Dells, not just for the competition, but all the attractions. It will bring some of the best teams from Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota. Last year Minnesota teams had a strong showing with several top finishes in the 18 and 17 divisions. Will these teams be able to maintain this place among the competition? We hope so!
18U Division: This division has and will host some of the best talent and future college all-stars. Last year Illinois showed its power with with Sports Performance 18-1 Elite beating out Club Fusion 18 Black in the championship. Tied for third, was VC United, from Rockford, IL and showing out for Minnesota – MN Select 18-1. This team was stack with players including: Eleanor Holthaus, Lauren Clark, Brynn Paumen, Kayla Bair and a handful of others players; nearly all going onto play division 1. It is hard to imagine the team that could beat this caliber of talent. Coach George Padjen and his new team, along with a few from last year, will hope to finish third or higher. Stacked with talent the MN Select 18-1’s include: Issabella Ashburn,Katie Mattson, Evie Harrington, Jasmine Mulvihill, Syra Tanchin and Anna Wolf. If you are in the dome this weekend, and you notice a huge crowd gathered, they will probably be watching this team. It will be hard, but they will give Sport Performance a great challenge, hopefully in the championship match.
MN Select 18-2 also has a chance of finishing in the top three. Ranked 8th going in, they will need a few upsets but with these players and their height, we know it’s possible: Maizy Jackson (6’1”), Jessica Nelson (6’1”), and Kate Achenbach (6’2”).
17U: Last year Minnesota did amazing in the 17U division. In second place was Vital 17-1 Gold, and in third was Mizuno M1 17-1. With new teams and slightly lower rankings, these teams will have a lot to prove. Vital 17-1 Gold is ranked 19 this year, but if you have seen these players, you don’t let the rankings fool you. The team has strong, well rounded players including: Claudia Stahlke (MB), Katie Paine (OH), and Mikaila Winward (S).
Likewise, Mizuno M1 17-1’s should fair well in their pool. They will have to get past a tough Fusion 17 Black, but they have a strong chance. Play-makers include: Emma Honsa (6’2” OH), Megan Reilly (6’0”, OH), Tori Moe (5’10, DS/S)
Underdog picks: There are a few other teams from Minnesota who have a strong chance to make waves this weekend. Southern Minnesota Volleyball (SMV)18-1 is ranked 17 but we know they have big hitters and a strong defense. They took first place at the BIg City Luau and faced some other tough teams in Chicago. Leading the way will be Nicole Lund (MH), Kaitlyn Prodzinksi and Kelly Klees (S).
Kokoro 18-1 will be another top contender. Ranked 7th they will likely have the chance to take out a rival MN Select 18 in the first round of pool play. Key players include: Reese Koehler, Kaitlyn Bakke, and Angela Denney.