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

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 Mikayla Gjerde (Stillwater HS | 2018) and Claire Westby (Hill-Murray HS | 2018), middle blocker Jade Fullerton (Mounds View HS | 2018), and right side Taylor Keenan (Roseville HS | 2018).

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 Maia Kelly (Mounds Park Academy | 2019) and setter Amber Bretwisch (Woodbury HS | 2019).

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 Liz Lansink (Hutchinson HS | 2018) and right side Kamryn D’Heilly (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 Carly Wedel (Willmar HS | 2019) and outside hitters Makenna Steffel (BOLD HS | 2019) and Caitlin Ogdahl (Willmar HS | 2019).

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 Emma Peterson (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. 

Other top 10 teams included:

• 2nd – MVA 17 ELITE (5-3 record)
• 3rd (tie) – SMV 17-1 (6-2 record)
• 7th (tie) – Crossfire 18-1 (5-3 record)
• 7th (tie) – MN North 17 Navy (5-3 record)

Top 5 teams from 17 Silver and 18 Silver Divisions:

17 Silver

1st – Kokoro 17-2; 2nd – LA Digger’s 17 Purple; 3rd – Pentagon 17 Orange; 4th – Club Velocity 17-1; 5th – MN Elite 17-1

18 Silver

1st – Kokoro Volleyball 17s/18s; 2nd – Pentagon 18 Orange; 3rd (tie) – Crusader 17s Green & Eden Prairie 18-1; 5th Crossfire 17-2