New Names From The Class of 2021 Rise In Iowa From Northern Lights Qualifier
The Northern Lights Qualifier in Minneapolis took on a different look this year adding a 17s Division to the National Qualifier in January. Typically this was an 18s National Qualifier, but adding 17s definitely brought on a new vibe with…
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Continue ReadingThe Northern Lights Qualifier in Minneapolis took on a different look this year adding a 17s Division to the National Qualifier in January. Typically this was an 18s National Qualifier, but adding 17s definitely brought on a new vibe with even more talented teams which then resulted in more college coaching eyes seeing who could be a fit at the next level. Iowa brought plenty of high caliber players and new ones on my radar. Seeing hundreds of names across multiple states is one thing, but to see them take to the court and make a big presence with the impact they make for their team in another. Here are new names to know from the Class of 2021 in Iowa who made their presence felt at the Northern Lights Qualifier.
Kori Knox – Iowa Power Plex 17U Elite Black
Lauren HavlikKnox definitely made her presence known as the libero for Power Plex in the 17 Open Division. The opening match for this team was a narrow three set loss to Milwaukee Sting 17 Gold who would eventually go on to win an Open bid to USAV Nationals. Knox is extremely solid in serve receive and proved there is no ball that is out of range (as she dove and slid into a garbage can off the court to get a ball), she is definitely on the rise in the Class of 2021.
Lauren Havlik – Iowa Power Plex 17U Elite Black
I’ve seen Havlik play off and on during her high school and club career, but this past weekend she really stood out, connecting extremely well with setter, Maren Palmer. Playing high and going against some of the top attackers in the country. Offensively, Havlik demonstrated her ability to be dynamic, hitting off various tempos as well as a plethora of shots to score points. Power Plex had some big wins over the course of the weekend for a relatively new group of athletes playing together.
Isabelle Kronenberg – Iowa Power Plex 17U Elite Black
Having a lefty on the right side just adds a different element to the front line and that’s what Kronenberg does for Plex. The 5’11 2021 right side touches high and makes her presence known as a lock down blocker and can score points attacking as well. Kronenberg and other Dowling Catholic athletes had a big weekend!
Emerson Thelen – Club Ignit Select 17 Blue
Thelen was extremely key with her ability to do a little bit of everything this past weekend. Club Ignit has the trifecta of pins between Thelen, Alysen Dexter, and Faith DeRonde. Thelen can score points with great court vision and use a variety of speeds to find the open spots – from the left or right side. She is also a solid defender who can provide an option to score from the backrow as well.
Wagler #10 and Club Ignit 17 Blue CelebrateEmma Wagler – Club Ignit Select 17 Blue
Wagler provides quite the spark out of the middle for Club Ignit with her ability to get from pin to pin on her block and be available to score in transition as well. Watching their matches verse KC Power and FC Elite (both three set battles), I wrote “jumpy” next to number ten – showing explosiveness and can really get up.
Reese Martin – Flight 17U
Jenna Brown – Flight 17U
Flight, which is a satellite from Six Pack out of the Cedar Valley had a real scrappy bunch this weekend where it found themselves playing in the Gold bracket on Sunday, still in bid contention. Paige Kisley out of Osage and Belle Weber of Union are big point scorers on the outside, but Reese Martin and Jenna Brown are major contributors out of the middle where they provide a big block and a heavy swing. Martin is a key player for Independence High School where Brown is a 6’1 middle prepping at Don Bosco.
Full album of Iowa clubs from @NLqualifier 17/18s this past weekend! @clubignitselect @iowapowerplex @iowaselectvbc @PlatformEliteVB https://t.co/3YgqPhDoWO pic.twitter.com/kAoQQcOVD8
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) February 2, 2020