Michigan Teams and Athletes See Success at Northern Lights Qualifier
This past weekend featured a batch of Michigan teams heading over to the Northern Lights Qualifier provided some top level competition and even some surprises along the way. Michigan Volleyball Academy (MVA) out of Grand Rapids traditionally competes mostly in…
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Continue ReadingThis past weekend featured a batch of Michigan teams heading over to the Northern Lights Qualifier provided some top level competition and even some surprises along the way. Michigan Volleyball Academy (MVA) out of Grand Rapids traditionally competes mostly in JVA only events, but has been testing the waters with a few USA Qualifiers with MEQ and most recently Northern Lights. MVA 17 Black found themselves in bid contention on Sunday and with a win over Milwaukee Sting 17 White in their final match it was enough to punch their ticket to USAV Nationals in Indy this summer.
Here are a few top players out of Michigan who were able to showcase their skills at the Northern Lights Qualifier in Minneapolis:
Mallory Keller – MVA 17 Black – Outside Hitter – Class of 2020
Committed to Indiana State
Keller brings a lot of energy to the court for MVA where she can contribute in any position or rotation. The highlight below shows an aggressive attack from the backrow to seal the deal for MVA getting their bid.
Grace Gorsline – MVA 17 Black – Libero – Class of 2020
Gorsline brings a really steady presence to the backrow for MVA where they rely heavily on the first touch to give multiple options to run their physical middles or push it out to the pin to one of the top Sophomores in the state in Addie VanderWeide. Gorsline is solid and dependable to take pace off the ball or serve receive on point.
Ayva Kooistra – MVA 17 Black – Middle Blocker – Class of 2020
Kooistra is a really physical presence in the middle where she can get from pin to pin and put up a big block. She also is a legit scoring threat as well to keep a well balanced offense running for MVA.
Paige Gallentine – MiElite 17 Mizuno – Libero – Class of 2020
Gallentine is always under control from how she moves on the court to how she can manipulate her platform to put the pass on the money. She covers a lot of ground and her teammates trust her with her range from what she can do in serve receive to taking pace of the ball to get in system.
Elizabeth Norris – MiElite 17 Mizuno – Setter – Class of 2020
17 Mizuno can be really diverse with what they can do on offense and a lot of that has to do with Norris and her athletic ability and all around skill. Norris can run the show as a setter putting her hitters in position to terminate, but she can play a solid all around defensive game at the net and the backrow. If needed, she can put the hammer down and swing too.
Charli Atiemo and Julia Bishop – MiElite 16 Mizuno – Middle Blocker and Setter – Class of 2021
These two have a special connection where it seems that Bishop can just find Atiemo wherever she is. Bishop can be pulled off the net or saving the ball on top of the net and she can trust that Atiemo will be there. Atiemo has a really fast arm and can find the slimest of splits to score points.
Sydney Palazzolo – Legacy 16 Elite – Outside Hitter – Class of 2021
Palazzolo plays so high above the net, often times outsizing the block with her contact point allowing her to hit a variety of shots. Just finishing her Sophomore year, Palazzolo is definitely climbing up the radar of college prospect with her versatility, athleticism, and size.
Lauren King – Legacy 17 Elite – Middle Blocker – Class of 2020
The 17 Open field was loaded with ten teams who have previously qualified for the Open field at USAV in Indianapolis, with Legacy being one of them. I’ve seen Legacy play before at Triple Crown and MEQ, but this weekend in Minneapolis I really saw what King is capable of with her ability to get up quick and really terminate. What an athletic and dynamic player to have on the roster. King will be heading to Atlantic 10 up and comer VCU.