Kokoro, KEVC and Vital Shine in Luau 17/18 Gold

<p>The Big City Luau brought together some of the region's best U17 and U18 teams to compete in the combined 17/18 Gold division in the Twin Cities. As the host club Kokoro took top honors with their 18-1 team, it was Kokoro, KEVC, and Vital that found great success as each club placed two teams among the top 10 in the final standings. Kokoro 18-1 completed a perfect weekend with an 8-0 record and without dropping a set over the two-day event. Only one team managed to score more than 20 points against them. That coming from SMV 17-1 in the first set (25-22) of the championship semifinals. Kokoro 18-1 made quick work of MVA 17 ELITE in the championship match with a 25-12, 25-14 straight set victory. Kokoro received contributions from a variety of athletes including outside hitters <strong>Mikayla Gjerde</strong> (Stillwater HS | 2018) and <strong>Claire Westby</strong> (Hill-Murray HS | 2018), middle blocker <strong>Jade Fullerton</strong> (Mounds View HS | 2018), and right side <strong>Taylor Keenan</strong> (Roseville HS | 2018).</p> <p>In addition to their 18-1 title, Kokoro 17-1 finished 5th overall and as the Silver bracket winner with a 7-1 record. Some notable efforts came from middle blocker <strong>Maia Kelly</strong> (Mounds Park Academy | 2019) and setter <strong>Amber Bretwisch</strong> (Woodbury HS | 2019).</p> <p>KEVC found success with both their 18-1 (3rd) and 17-1 (9th) teams. The 18-1 squad lost a tough match in the championship semifinals 25-22, 25-11 to MVA 17 ELITE. Middle blocker <strong>Liz Lansink</strong> (Hutchinson HS | 2018) and right side <strong>Kamryn D'Heilly</strong> (Annandale HS | 2018) provided spark throughout the weekend. KEVC 17-1 finished the weekend 7-2 and as the Bronze bracket winner upon solid effort from setter <strong>Carly Wedel</strong> (Willmar HS | 2019) and outside hitters <strong>Makenna Steffel</strong> (BOLD HS | 2019) and <strong>Caitlin Ogdahl</strong> (Willmar HS | 2019).</p> <p>Vital 18-1 finished 6-2 on the weekend and in 6th place overall, losing a tight three set match to Kokoro 17-1 in the Silver bracket final. One steady and notable performance came from libero <strong>Emma Peterson</strong> (Bloomington Jefferson HS | 2018). Vital's 17-1 squad completed the weekend at 5-3 and in 10th position dropping their final match in the Bronze bracket final. </p> <p>Other top 10 teams included:</p> <ul style="list-style-type: square;"> <li>2nd - MVA 17 ELITE (5-3 record)</li> <li>3rd (tie) - SMV 17-1 (6-2 record)</li> <li>7th (tie) - Crossfire 18-1 (5-3 record)</li> <li>7th (tie) - MN North 17 Navy (5-3 record)</li> </ul> <p><br /> Top 5 teams from 17 Silver and 18 Silver Divisions:</p> <p><strong>17 Silver</strong></p> <p>1st - Kokoro 17-2; 2nd - LA Digger's 17 Purple; 3rd - Pentagon 17 Orange; 4th - Club Velocity 17-1; 5th - MN Elite 17-1</p> <p><strong>18 Silver</strong></p> <p>1st - Kokoro Volleyball 17s/18s; 2nd - Pentagon 18 Orange; 3rd (tie) - Crusader 17s Green &amp; Eden Prairie 18-1; 5th Crossfire 17-2</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>