M1, Northern Lights 18s Cap Off Illustrious Careers At AAU Nationals
With year of many “lasts”, this past weekend at the 18s AAU National Championship in Orlando there was a final “last” that ended with smiles, tears, and some hardware to take home. For Northern Lights and M1, two of the…
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Continue ReadingWith year of many “lasts”, this past weekend at the 18s AAU National Championship in Orlando there was a final “last” that ended with smiles, tears, and some hardware to take home. For Northern Lights and M1, two of the top clubs in Minnesota and ultimately the region, the two squads who have been facing each other since their youth days in club and high school ball were able to bring home some hardware and individual honors to cap off careers for the record books.
The Weekend Rundown
For Northern Lights 18-1, this team has done it all. From winning the 17 Open National title in 2018, to big time Qualifier wins this past season, and a trip to Italy in April, the AAU Nationals would be a chance to finish quite a season and career . After breezing through pool play without dropping a set, they camp up against M1 18-1 in a challenge match to get into get into the final four. Winning the first set 25-16, Lights appeared to be on the path to Gold without a hitch. That is until M1 came back to win set two 26-24 setting up a set three. Lights would go on to win set three 15-12 sending them to the final four on Monday. Munciana Samurai would be the first opponent Monday morning, Northern Lights would be up against Munciana Samurai, an opponent accustomed to national titles and the TV cameras with a roster loaded with high level Division 1 talent which includes MJ Hammill, a 2020 setter heading to Wisconsin as well as future Minnesota Gopher setter in Melani Shaffmaster, one of the top players in the class of 2020 in the country. Throw Kennedi Orr, the 2021 setter for Northern Lights, into the mix and there are three future Big Ten setters on the court. Lights would go on to sweep Munciana and drop the finals in two sets to Legacy out of the Detroit area. Legacy has a roster like none other with six players heading to the Big Ten. They were six for six in major tournament titles this season which included wins at Triple Crown in Kansas City and MEQ.
M1 18-1 would finish at a tie for 7th overall in 18 Open. They were the only team besides Legacy to take a set off of Northern Lights. Their only other losses were to Legacy and K2 out of Tennessee. M1 18-2 would finish 11th in 18 Premier with an overall record of 3-5.
The All Americans
Elizabeth Juhnke – M1 18-1 – Outside Hitter
Committed to South Dakota
Juhnke was able to cap off a heavily decorated high school career with an AAU All American honor. She will be heading off to play at South Dakota which was the 2018 Summit League Tournament Champions, earning them a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Juhnke will be remembered for her cannon of an arm, a powerful swing, someone who can score from anywhere on the court, and a gritty competitor. Juhnke and Lakeville North was able to win the state title in 2017.
Kennedi Orr – Northern Lights 18-1 – Setter
Committed to Nebraska
Kennedi Orr needs no introduction. Orr has been on the scene since she was in junior high playing on the big stage at the Xcel Energy Center with Eagan ‘ last=”]’ last=”] high school along with her sister Brie Orr, who is currently a setter at Iowa. Kennedi is from the Class of 2021 and will still have two years of high school volleyball left. Her high school team will be a heavy favorite heading into the 2019 season after Eagan ‘ last=”]’ last=”] dropped a five set heartbreaker to Champlin Park in the state finals in 2018 season. Orr can set, swing, block, play defense, do it all, one of the top players in the Class of 2021 in the country.
Hansen, Hinkle, and Orr earn All American HonorsKyndra Hansen – Northern Lights 18-1 – Outside Hitter – Mahtomedi High School
Committed to Iowa
Hansen can do so many things on the pin, she is just tough to stop. With her ability to play well above the net she has that eagle eye that can find the open spot on the court and will snap sharp cross or find that perfect roll shot to the deep corner down the line. Hansen will be heading to the University of Iowa which has been able to land a few Northern Lights athletes. Her club teammate, Blythe Rients will be a Hawkeye as well.
Mari Hinkle – Northern Lights 18-1 – Libero – Rosemont High Schools
Committed to UCLA
Hinkle is heading to the West Coast to play at UCLA. A mainstay at libero for Northern Lights, she has provided a consistent first contact to get the offense rolling. Hinkle will be joining another Minnesotan at UCLA in Jenny Mosser who prepped at Lakeville South .