Does Age Matter? Two Intriguing Matches at Upcoming Molten Series
With Molten Series #3 set for this coming weekend, the bracket play provides some very intriguing matches given the structure consisting of various age groups competing together. Here are two matches that are sure to provide great entertainment including good…
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Continue ReadingWith Molten Series #3 set for this coming weekend, the bracket play provides some very intriguing matches given the structure consisting of various age groups competing together. Here are two matches that are sure to provide great entertainment including good measurement of how well younger teams can compete against veteran experience.
Northern Lights 15-1 vs KEVC 17-1
2/23 | 9:00am | Facility: M1 Court 4
- It is hard not to imagine the future for this Northern Lights 15-1 team given the size, skill, and maturity they show already as a 15s team, which also includes multiple athletes making significant contributions playing up in this age group. They show great poise for a squad of freshmen and junior high competitors. The underdog label may not exist for this group as there is confidence that indicates they are capable of beating a veteran team without surprise. Both Stella Swenson and Olivia Swenson are playing up an age division and make big contributions for this squad as a setter and pin attacker respectively. They contribute great size and volleyball knowledge while showing some of the best competitiveness on the court. They get great contributions in the form of power and range from pin attackers Emily Moes Emily Moes 6'0" | OH Lakeville South | 2023 MN and Mikayla McDougall Mikayla McDougall 6'0" | OH East Ridge | 2023 State MN while Sydney Schnichels Sydney Schnichels 6'4" | OH Wilmar | 2023 State #19 Nation MN is physical and dynamic on the right side. Madeline Knutson and Katillyn Sellner provide great offensive and defensive support and stability from the middle to help balance out their net effort.
- For KEVC 17-1, the favorite in this match, they boast some DI arms in Elizabeth Dille Elizabeth Dille 5'11" | OH Sartell-St. Josephs | 2021 State MN (UW-Green Bay) on the left side and Ashlyn Olson Ashlyn Olson 6'1" | RS New London-Spicer | 2021 State MN (UND) at opposite. Both attackers are athletic and can provide point scoring in bunches if needed. Bailey Olson Bailey Olson 5'10" | OH Willmar | 2021 State MN is an aggressive pin attacker in her own right and Isabelle Mrozek has good attacking versatility from the middle whether in front or behind the setter. These two increase this team’s offensive balance and complement their heavy hitting teammates well. Some of this team’s biggest assets are in their ball control and setting. Abby Stark Abby Stark 5'7" | DS/L Willmar | 2021 State MN (NDSU) is a DI commit at libero and is highly regarded for her passing and defensive skills. Much like Stark and her impact on the prep scene in the west central area, Karsee Kampsen Karsee Kampsen 5'5" | S Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa | 2021 State MN has the same accolades, recognition, and upside from the setting position.
Northern Lights 16-1 vs MN Select 18-1
2/23 | 11:00am | Facility: Northern Lights Court 2
- This match is going to be fun. Northern Lights 16-1 is full of athleticism and experience that includes significant varsity-level contributions at some of the state’s best high school programs. Additionally, the size they bring to the net is also among the biggest among any team at any age level. Outside hitter Julia Hanson Julia Hanson 6'0" | OH Prior Lake | 2022 State #57 Nation MN (Minnesota) has already committed to the next level and has college ready skills with her exceptional elevation and arm. Sienna Ifill Sienna Ifill 6'1" | RS Eagan | 2022 State #83 Nation MN and Kendal Kemp Kendal Kemp 6'6" | MB Eagan | 2022 State #84 Nation MN are products of perennial powerhouse Eagan ‘ last=”]’ last=”] and were major contributors towards their class 3A state runner-up finish in 2019. As much as they can score points offensively they are just as imposing on the defensive side given their length and ability to fill up great space at the net blocking. Maddie Lipetzky Maddie Lipetzky 6'0" | MB Shakopee | 2022 State MN , Estelle Haugen Estelle Haugen 6'1" | OH Southwest Christian | 2022 State #164 Nation MN , and Camryn Greenwald Camryn Greenwald 6'2" | MB East Ridge | 2022 State #175 Nation MN have similar high school experience for tradition-rich programs and provide good offensive depth. Maddie Converse Maddie Converse 5'10" | S Kasson-Mantorville | 2022 State MN continues to emerge as a very effective floor leader at the setting position while Simara Amador Simara Amador 5'7" | DS/L Eagan | 2022 State MN and Jayna Bredenberg Jayna Bredenberg 5'6" | DS/L Southwest Christian | 2022 State MN stabilize the ball control and defense in the back row.
- MN Select 18-1 is full of some of Minnesota’s top senior talent that will be heading off to some great volleyball programs at the next level in the fall. Led by the power and savvy of lefty Elizabeth Helmich Elizabeth Helmich 6'1" | MB Wayzata | 2020 State MN (James Madison) at opposite and the dynamic arms and experience of Ali Hinze (NDSU) and Jordan Stalpes Jordan Stalpes 5'10" | DS/L Champlin Park | 2020 State MN (Omaha) at outside, the pins are a big strength for this team. They do have solid physical presence and experience in the middle in Lily Emlong Lily Emlong 6'2" | OH Wayzata | 2020 State MN (Elon) and Grace Daak Grace Daak 6'2" | MB Hutchinson | 2020 State MN (UMN Duluth) that provide great opportunity to establish variety and depth in their point scoring at the net. Nicole Odeen Nicole Odeen 5'9" | OH Buffalo | 2020 State MN (Davenport) and Olivia Johnson Olivia Johnson 5'10" | S Wayzata | 2020 State MN (Uncommitted) have good command of the offensive distribution and continue to develop the necessary relationships with their attackers to have them competing well among the elite teams. Molly Schultz Molly Schultz 5'5" | S Rockford | 2020 State MN (Kansas) provides a ton of energy and great production defensively and from the service line and quite possibly, at 5’6, could be among the most dynamic athletes in this class in the Midwest. She is fun to watch.
Although the veteran teams should emerge victorious don’t expect these matches to be a cake walk for either KEVC 17-1 or MN Select 18-1. These younger teams have the foundation and depth to compete well and with the right mindset and execution could be successful. If anything, stop by these courts to observe the sheer depth of talent that all teams will put on the court collectively regardless of age or experience. It is hard not to root for the youngsters to pull off a significant win in these situations but there is also great appreciation for the veteran skills and experience that continue to show the game of volleyball as a true representation of the growth of the women’s game in style, athleticism, power, and competitiveness. All of these teams embody that spirit and these opportunities to see such a broad collection of talent on the court at the same time can be truly special.