Triple Crown To Get a Good Dose of Minnesota
The Triple Crown event taking place this weekend in Kansas City has become one of the nation’s most anticipated tournaments of the club season. With elite teams filling out the schedule, this also marks the end of the February quiet…
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Continue ReadingThe Triple Crown event taking place this weekend in Kansas City has become one of the nation’s most anticipated tournaments of the club season. With elite teams filling out the schedule, this also marks the end of the February quiet period for college coaches allowing them to once again hit the recruiting trail to evaluate prospects during the club season. The state of Minnesota will be well represented starting with the U12 division all the way through the U18 power and challenge pools. As the tournament flow indicates, all Power Pool teams and the top Challenge Pool teams will earn an opportunity to compete in the Elite division on days two and three. Here is some information about MN teams and athletes competing.
U18
Kokoro 18-1
The top seed in Challenge Pool H includes the high powered arms of
Cianna Selbitschka
Cianna
Selbitschka
5'10" | OH
North Branch | 2020
State
#1
Nation
MN
and
Alexandra Lyle
Alexandra
Lyle
6'1" | OH
Tartan | 2020
State
MN
that should see them compete well to get into the Elite division group of teams on days two and three.
Lauren Stenman
Lauren
Stenman
5'11" | RS
North St. Paul | 2020
State
MN
has terrific competitive experience and court presence that helps to stabilize this squad’s effort in all phases of the game. Keep any eye on this team as they could surprise some of the higher seeded teams in the latter stages of the tournament.
Kokoro 18-2
The #4 seed in Challenge Pool W is a mix of 2020 and 2021 prospects. This roster includes several Minnesota athletes including Grace Holm, McKenna Keenan, Anck-Su-Namun Mortel, Annika Tuma, and
Arie Walker
Arie
Walker
5'9" | DS/L
Cretin-Derham Hall | 2020
State
MN
.
MN Select 18-1
The only MN team opening up the tournament among the power pools in this division, MN Select 18-1 is seeded #2 in Power Pool D. With good size, offensive power, and roster depth, this squad could post a lot of problems for opponents this weekend. Setter
Olivia Johnson
Olivia
Johnson
5'10" | S
Wayzata | 2020
State
MN
remains uncommitted and will have a lot of opportunity to display her setting skills from pin to pin with the varied arms she has including lefty opposite
Elizabeth Helmich
Elizabeth
Helmich
6'1" | MB
Wayzata | 2020
State
MN
, outside pins in
Jordan Stalpes
Jordan
Stalpes
5'10" | DS/L
Champlin Park | 2020
State
MN
, Halle Olson, and Ali Hinze, and the middle options in
Grace Daak
Grace
Daak
6'2" | MB
Hutchinson | 2020
State
MN
,
Lily Emlong
Lily
Emlong
6'2" | OH
Wayzata | 2020
State
MN
, and
Kate Neill
Kate
Neill
6'1" | OH
Providence Academy | 2020
State
MN
. The dynamic back row play of
Molly Schultz
Molly
Schultz
5'5" | S
Rockford | 2020
State
MN
adds an exciting element to their effort and one that also helps them compete well among the best teams.
MN Select 18-2
Challenge Pool G is where this squad opens play. With a great roster of talent, the quality of athlete throughout this team would be a top team for many clubs. Featured uncommitted athletes include the versatile
Sami Hilley
Sami
Hilley
5'10" | OH
Champlin Park | 2020
State
MN
, defensive specialist
Elise Brooks
Elise
Brooks
5'9" | DS/L
Mounds View | 2020
State
MN
, and setter Hannah Polk. They have good balance in their attackers and good ball control and defense to frustrate opponents and extend plays.
Northern Lights 18-1
Challenge Pool P features another one of Minnesota’s most talented U18 teams. Senior pin hitter
Mackenzie Close
Mackenzie
Close
6'0" | S
Southwest Christian | 2020
State
MN
and junior outside
Megan Reilly
Megan
Reilly
6'0" | OH
Northfield | 2021
State
MN
are the remaining uncommitted athletes. Close has good versatility to be able to swing from both pins and be utilized in the back row as well. She has a strong arm that can put some good pace on the ball. Reilly can bring it as well and is a 2021 that has potential to be a significant addition to a team at the next level.
Vital 18-1 Gold
The #4 seed in Challenge Pool U has a roster with over half of the athletes that are signed to play at various colleges.. This includes the talented setter
Makaila Winward
Makaila
Winward
5'7" | S
St. Louis Park | 2020
State
MN
, the powerful presence of middle hitter
Claudia Stahlke
Claudia
Stahlke
6'2" | OH
Mayer Lutheran | 2020
State
MN
, and the arms of opposite Anysia Caille and outside hitter
Katie Paine
Katie
Paine
5'9" | DS/L
Chanhassen | 2020
State
MN
. Still available as members of the 2020 class include libero
Claire Segner
Claire
Segner
5'8" | OH
Waconia | 2020
State
MN
, middle
Elsie Koski
Elsie
Koski
6'2" | MB
DeLaSalle | 2020
State
MN
, and outside
Emma O’Connell
Emma
O’Connell
5'10" | RS
Eden Prairie | 2020
State
MN
, all with skills and ability to help at the next level.
U17
Kokoro 17-1
Challenge Pool Y #4 seed
This squad has some good talent and depth that should see them finish higher than their #4 seed in this pool. Led by the size and length of
Samantha Paulsen
Samantha
Paulsen
6'3" | RS
Chisago Lakes | 2021
State
MN
,
Maddie DeMars
Maddie
DeMars
6'1" | MB
Forest Lake | 2021
State
MN
, and
Barakat Rahmon
Barakat
Rahmon
6'0" | MB
Tartan | 2021
State
MN
, the offense has multiple options.
Jadyn Garrison
Jadyn
Garrison
5'9" | OH
East Ridge | 2021
State
MN
,
Ashley Crowl
Ashley
Crowl
5'11" | MB
Centennial | 2021
State
MN
, and
Waverly Thao
Waverly
Thao
5'7" | S
Mounds View | 2021
State
MN
add a great dimension that helps round out their effort on both sides of the ball.
MN Select 17-1
The top seed in Challenge Pool O provides great size and depth throughout their roster. With a corps of athletes well over 6’0 tall and with approach touches near or beyond 10′, their physical presence is quite noticeable. This includes outside hitters in sophomore Adriana Rhoda and
Ally Johnson
Ally
Johnson
6'2" | OH
Rogers | 2021
State
MN
along with sophomore middle
Emma Goerger
Emma
Goerger
6'4" | MB
Wayzata | 2022
State
MN
. All three of these athletes are uncommitted. Also uncommitted and worth a long look are setter
Teagan Starkey
Teagan
Starkey
5'11" | S
Lakeville South | 2021
State
MN
and freshman defensive specialist
Kate Thibault
Kate
Thibault
5'3" | DS/L
Watertown-Mayer | 2023
State
#47
Nation
MN
.
MN Select 17-2
Challenge Pool W #4 seed is MN Select 17-2. This squad includes 6’1 outside
Olivia Carel
Olivia
Carel
6'1" | OH
STMA | 2021
State
MN
and 6’2 middle
Skya Favor
Skya
Favor
6'2" | MB
Hopkins | 2021
State
MN
who both have good offensive experience and will continue to produce a lot of points. Junior setter
Paige Sheehan
Paige
Sheehan
5'9" | S
North Branch | 2021
MN
runs a good offense and has good location while
Aniki Bolles
Aniki
Bolles
5'6" | DS/L
Andover | 2021
MN
provides good spark and stability defensively.
Northern Lights 17-1
Opening the tournament as the top seed in Power Pool B, this squad has rightfully earned this position given their recent success in qualifying for 17 Open nationals at the NLQ. They are the only MN team competing in the power pools in this division. They continue to feature some of the best athletes in the Midwest and nation and their mettle will be tested greatly this coming weekend.
Erin Lamb
Erin
Lamb
6'3" | MB
Stewartville | 2021
State
MN
and
Ava Moes
Ava
Moes
6'3" | RS
Lakeville South | 2021
State
MN
bring complete power with their arms and big presence at the net defensively.
Kali Engeman
Kali
Engeman
6'1" | MB
Minnetonka | 2021
State
MN
provides great athleticism.
Emma Torstenson
Emma
Torstenson
5'11" | DS/L
Northfield | 2021
State
MN
and
Kira Fallert
Kira
Fallert
5'11" | OH
Concordia Academy | 2021
State
MN
lead the ball control while
Kennedi Orr
Kennedi
Orr
6'0" | S
Eagan | 2021
State
MN
is an all-around gem that can contribute in so many ways.
U16
Kokoro 16-1
Challenge Pool Y’s #3 seed, this team features a collection of athletes from both Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Jada Nunn
Jada
Nunn
6'0" | S
Woodbury | 2022
State
MN
,
Natalie Schmitz
Natalie
Schmitz
6'1" | OH
Blaine | 2022
State
MN
, Kenzie Roettger, Mikayla Wilber, Eriel Carr, Jonna Goehner, and Brooke Ramsey provide good offense and are some of the representatives from Minnesota’s 2022 class.
MN Select 16-1
Challenge BB #3 seed features great talent in
Elle Cotton
Elle
Cotton
6'0" | S
Elk River | 2022
State
MN
at the setting position and
Cara Cyr
Cara
Cyr
6'0" | MB
Maple Grove | 2022
State
MN
in the middle. They are supported by good elevation and point scoring ability from pin attackers
Abby Stanwood
Abby
Stanwood
5'9" | OH
Minnetonka | 2022
State
MN
,
Brynn Reines
Brynn
Reines
6'2" | OH
Rogers | 2022
State
MN
, and
Mya Krystosek
Mya
Krystosek
5'11" | RS
St. Michael-Albertville | 2022
State
MN
.
Kylie Stremmel
Kylie
Stremmel
5'8" | DS/L
Champlin Park | 2022
State
MN
and Ella Voegele provide the leadership on the ball control and defensive side. They are a wildcard regarding their seed and ability to finish among the top teams in their pool and get into the Elite division.
MN Select 16-2
The #3 seed in Challenge Pool Q and feature good quality talent in pin attackers Paige Lemkuil and
Katy Riviere
Katy
Riviere
5'11" | S
Wayzata | 2022
State
MN
.
Abby Zehr
Abby
Zehr
5'7" | DS/L
Totino-Grace | 2022
State
MN
is one to watch at the setting position as attackers
Grace Travis
Grace
Travis
5'10" | RS
DeLaSalle | 2022
State
MN
and
Melanie Goldstein
Melanie
Goldstein
5'11" | MB
Wayzata | 2022
State
MN
are among the teams biggest leapers off the court. These athletes represent some of the most respected high school programs and Minnesota that involve some of the highest level of training and competitive standards.
Northern Lights 16-1
The top seed in Challenge Pool F, this group has great potential to get into the Elite bracket and stir things up. They are big, athletic, and very talented across the net. This roster includes some of the best 2022 athletes in the Midwest and this event has potential to elevate stock for those that are uncommitted. Those certain to garner a lot of attention include opposite
Sienna Ifill
Sienna
Ifill
6'1" | RS
Eagan | 2022
State
#83
Nation
MN
, middles
Kendal Kemp
Kendal
Kemp
6'6" | MB
Eagan | 2022
State
#84
Nation
MN
and
Camryn Greenwald
Camryn
Greenwald
6'2" | MB
East Ridge | 2022
State
#175
Nation
MN
, and outside hitter
Estelle Haugen
Estelle
Haugen
6'1" | OH
Southwest Christian | 2022
State
#164
Nation
MN
. Don’t be surprised if this team finishes well above their opening day seed.