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 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 SelbitschkaCiannaSelbitschka5'10" | OHNorth Branch | 2020State#1NationMN and Alexandra LyleAlexandraLyle6'1" | OHTartan | 2020StateMN that should see them compete well to get into the Elite division group of teams on days two and three. Lauren StenmanLaurenStenman5'11" | RSNorth St. Paul | 2020StateMN 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 WalkerArieWalker5'9" | DSCretin-Derham Hall | 2020StateMN. 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 JohnsonOliviaJohnson5'10" | SWayzata | 2020StateMN 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 HelmichElizabethHelmich6'1" | MBWayzata | 2020StateMN, outside pins in Jordan StalpesJordanStalpes5'10" | DSChamplin Park | 2020StateMN, Halle Olson, and Ali Hinze, and the middle options in Grace DaakGraceDaak6'2" | MHHutchinson | 2020StateMN, Lily EmlongLilyEmlong6'2" | OHWayzata | 2020StateMN, and Kate NeillKateNeill6'1" | OHProvidence Academy | 2020StateMN. The dynamic back row play of Molly SchultzMollySchultz5'5" | SRockford | 2020StateMN 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 HilleySamiHilley5'10" | OHChamplin Park | 2020StateMN, defensive specialist Elise BrooksEliseBrooks5'9" | LMounds View | 2020StateMN, 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 CloseMackenzieClose6'0" | SSouthwest Christian | 2020StateMN and junior outside Megan ReillyMeganReilly6'0" | OHNorthfield | 2021StateMN 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 WinwardMakailaWinward5'7" | SSt. Louis Park | 2020StateMN, the powerful presence of middle hitter Claudia StahlkeClaudiaStahlke6'2" | OHMayer Lutheran | 2020StateMN, and the arms of opposite Anysia Caille and outside hitter Katie PaineKatiePaine5'9" | DSChanhassen | 2020StateMN. Still available as members of the 2020 class include libero Claire SegnerClaireSegner5'8" | OHWaconia | 2020StateMN, middle Elsie KoskiElsieKoski6'2" | MHDeLaSalle | 2020StateMN, and outside Emma O’ConnellEmmaO’Connell5'10" | RSEden Prairie | 2020StateMN, 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 PaulsenSamanthaPaulsen6'3" | RSChisago Lakes | 2021StateMN, Maddie DeMarsMaddieDeMars6'1" | MBForest Lake | 2021StateMN, and Barakat RahmonBarakatRahmon6'0" | MHTartan | 2021StateMN, the offense has multiple options. Jadyn GarrisonJadynGarrison5'9" | OHEast Ridge | 2021StateMN, Ashley CrowlAshleyCrowl5'11" | MHCentennial | 2021StateMN, and Waverly ThaoWaverlyThao5'7" | SMounds View | 2021StateMN 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 JohnsonAllyJohnson6'2" | OHRogers | 2021StateMN along with sophomore middle Emma GoergerEmmaGoerger6'3" | MBWayzata | 2022StateMN. All three of these athletes are uncommitted. Also uncommitted and worth a long look are setter Teagan StarkeyTeaganStarkey5'11" | SLakeville South | 2021StateMN and freshman defensive specialist Kate ThibaultKateThibault5'2" | LWatertown-Mayer | 2023StateMN.  MN Select 17-2 Challenge Pool W #4 seed is MN Select 17-2. This squad includes 6’1 outside Olivia CarelOliviaCarel6'1" | OHSTMA | 2021StateMN and 6’2 middle Skya FavorSkyaFavor6'2" | MHHopkins | 2021StateMN who both have good offensive experience and will continue to produce a lot of points. Junior setter Paige SheehanPaigeSheehan5'9" | SNorth Branch | 2021StateMN runs a good offense and has good location while Aniki BollesAnikiBolles5'6" | DSAndover | 2021StateMN 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 LambErinLamb6'3" | MHStewartville | 2021StateMN and Ava MoesAvaMoes6'3" | RSLakeville South | 2021StateMN bring complete power with their arms and big presence at the net defensively. Kali EngemanKaliEngeman6'1" | MHMinnetonka | 2021StateMN provides great athleticism. Emma TorstensonEmmaTorstenson5'11" | LNorthfield | 2021StateMN and Kira FallertKiraFallert5'11" | OHConcordia Academy | 2021StateMN lead the ball control while Kennedi OrrKennediOrr6'0" | SEagan | 2021StateMN 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 NunnJadaNunn5'10" | MHWoodbury | 2022StateMN, Natalie SchmitzNatalieSchmitz6'1" | SHam Lake | 2022StateMN, 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 CottonElleCotton6'0" | SElk River | 2022StateMN at the setting position and Cara CyrCaraCyr6'0" | MBMaple Grove | 2022StateMN in the middle. They are supported by good elevation and point scoring ability from pin attackers Abby StanwoodAbbyStanwood5'9" | OHMinnetonka | 2022StateMN, Brynn ReinesBrynnReines6'1" | OHRogers | 2022StateMN, and Mya KrystosekMyaKrystosek5'11" | RSSt. Michael-Albertville | 2022StateMN. Kylie StremmelKylieStremmel5'8" | LChamplin Park | 2022StateMN 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 RiviereKatyRiviere5'11" | RSWayzata | 2022StateMN. Abby ZehrAbbyZehr5'7" | LTotino-Grace | 2022StateMN is one to watch at the setting position as attackers Grace TravisGraceTravis5'10" | DSDeLaSalle | 2022StateMN and Melanie GoldsteinMelanieGoldstein5'11" | MBWayzata | 2022StateMN 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 IfillSiennaIfill6'1" | RSEagan | 2022StateMN, middles Kendal KempKendalKemp6'6" | MBEagan | 2022StateMN and Camryn GreenwaldCamrynGreenwald6'1" | MBEast Ridge | 2022StateMN, and outside hitter Estelle HaugenEstelleHaugen6'0" | OHSouthwest Christian | 2022StateMN. Don’t be surprised if this team finishes well above their opening day seed.