MN U15s Set to Compete on Big Stage in Kansas City
The U15 age group is always exciting given the majority of athletes that have just completed their first high school season and many getting viewed by college coaches for the first time. With the Triple Crown event set to begin…
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Continue ReadingThe U15 age group is always exciting given the majority of athletes that have just completed their first high school season and many getting viewed by college coaches for the first time. With the Triple Crown event set to begin this coming Saturday, the U15s will compete in the same format as the elder age groups through Power and Challenge pools that lead into an Elite division to determine the tournament’s top team. Minnesota will be represented well in this age group with one team starting out in power pool play and a few others seeded into challenge pools.
POWER POOLS
Northern Lights 15-1
This team has crazy size with several athletes at 6’0 or taller to form a formidable net presence for any team at any age group. Even their 2024 setter Stella Swenson is at 6’0 tall, with great skills and offensive direction. Stella’s sister Olivia Swenson is 6’3 and helps shape the offensive arsenal that also includes 6’0 pin attackers in Emily Moes and Mikayla McDougall, 6’3 opposite Sydney Schnichels, and the middle tandem of Madeline Knutson and Kaitlyn Sellner, both at 6’1 tall. The Triple Crown is a great place for them to measure their competitiveness and synergy as a team as they continue forward seeking an Open bid to the national tournament. They are destined to finish the season considered among the best nationally given their length, skills, and depth. This team has great offensive balance. Schnichels has a long and strong presence at opposite both offensively and defensively while also capable of terminating mid-tempo sets from a variety of other locations. The group of Olivia Swenson, Moes, and McDougall show great power and range in their scoring on the left side as each brings something different, although equally effective, to that position that keeps opponents off balance. With great defense and ball control, this group can also apply a lot of pressure from the service line. Several future Division I prospects are on this squad and they will continue to grow in their skills and strength collectively while also climbing the ranks individually in the eyes of college recruiters. Don’t be surprised if they finish in the upper levels of the Elite division following their opening seed as the #5 team in Power Pool A.
CHALLENGE POOLS
Kokoro 15-1
This squad hosts just four Minnesota athletes with the rest hailing from Wisconsin. Katherine Arnason provides good size at 6’0 with Kaysie Bakke close behind at 5’11. Additional Minnesota athletes include Tori Liljergren and Camryn Petersen. Kokoro 15-1 begins play as the #4 seed in Challenge Pool L and will first take on Austin Skyline 15 Royal at 4pm on Saturday.
MN Select 15-1
With the defection of some key athletes from last season’s 14-1 team, this squad has some good pieces in place to compete well, with others developing quickly to help sustain the high expectations of any top team for MN Select. At 6’4, middle Kate Simington brings the most size and length with a near 10′ touch in her approach. At 6’1, Molly Minnema helps to form a sizable middle combination for this squad. She can score points from the middle with aggressive work and good movement through her arm swing when she is on balance. Sydney McDaniel is a 5’11 lefty opposite that is athletic and can contribute quite effectively both offensively with her arm and in posting a big block. At 5’9, Avery Bolles leads the left side offense with good elevation and a great arm. She is a six-rotation athlete that can score points from a variety of locations. She gets help on the outside from 5’10 Kendall Luoma and 5’11 Ada Schlenker. This group opens up as the top seed in Challenge Pool J and have a great opportunity to land in the Elite division for the later stages of the tournament.
MN Select 15-2
As the #4 seed in Challenge Pool P, this team has some good size in 6’0 middles Peyton Howie and Ava Hendel. At 5’11, Marlie Hanson occupies time on the right pin and is showing to the be the most dynamic of the pin attackers with good power and movement and the ability to provide good defense and ball control throughout her six rotations. Kaitlyn Vogt gets a good amount of swings from the outside. Corbyn Menz, Sophia Orwig, and Mattie Peterson add depth to the outside position. Kayla Bursheim in a setter and shares that role with Howie, who is the most versatile with her size and dual roles as an attacker and setter. Sophia Johnson contributes as a primarily in the role of libero/defensive specialist. There is a lot of upside to this team and they will improve greatly through events like the Triple Crown. Their development has been fun to watch as they navigate the early stages of the club season.