MN Teams Conclude Triple Crown NIT Competition

<p>The handful of Minnesota teams competing at the Triple Crown National Invitational Tournament in Salt Lake City concluded their respective competitions on Monday. After opening up the event with great success, the later rounds proved more challenging for Minnesota teams as all finished in the middle of the standings once play was complete. </p> <p><strong>16 Open</strong></p> <p><strong>MN Select 16-1</strong> finished the weekend at 5-3 overall. After opening up the event at 3-0, Select moved up to the 16 Elite division. On Sunday they dropped their first round match in the Round 2 bracket, which seeded them as the fourth team in Round 3 Pool G. They closed out pool play at 2-1 and in second place with wins over Rage 16 Jen and AZ East Valley Juniors 16n1-Tempe. Their lone loss in Pool G was to Sunshine 16 Westside in a close three-set match. Their final seeding was into the bracket for 21st place in which they were defeated by Triangle 16 Black, 25-14, 25-21. They finished the event tied for 23rd place overall. Members of the MN Select 16-1 roster include:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Yaiza Franco</strong> | 2020 | MB | North St. Paul HS</li> <li><strong>Elizabeth Helmich</strong> | 2020 | RS | Wayzata HS</li> <li><strong>Ali Hinze</strong> | 2020 | OH | Maple Grove HS</li> <li><strong>Christine Jurgens</strong> | 2020 | S/RS | Eagan HS</li> <li><strong>Nicole Odeen</strong> | 2020 | S | Buffalo HS</li> <li><strong>Lindy Oujiri</strong> | 2020 | OH | Osseo HS</li> <li><strong>Hannah Prasky</strong> | 2020 | MB | Champlin Park HS</li> <li><strong>Taylor Quan</strong> | 2020 | DS | Osseo HS </li> <li><strong>Molly Schultz</strong> | 2020 | S/DS | Rockford HS</li> <li><strong>Jordan Stalpes</strong> | 2020 | OH | Champlin Park HS</li> </ul> <p><strong>15 Open</strong></p> <p>Both <strong>M1 151</strong> and <strong>MN Select 15-1</strong> began the event with a perfect 4-0 record in winning their Round 1 pools and first crossover matches. Advancing to the Round 2 15 Elite bracket, each lost their first round matches. M1 was defeated by Madfrog 15 National Blue (25-13, 25-17), while Select was bested by Aspire 15 Rox (25-19, 25-17). M1 closed out their tournament dropping all three matches in Round 3 Pool E, including a tough three-set loss to Rage 15. Select went 1-2 in their Round 3 Pool G action, the lone victory coming against Asics Munciana Lorax 15.</p> <p><strong>14 Open</strong></p> <p><strong>MN Select 14-1</strong> finished the weekend at 4-3 overall losing their final match in the first round of the Round 3 Bracket 2 playoffs to Cats Volleyball Club 14 (25-13, 25-20). They finished Round 1 and Round 2 pool play both at 2-1 with wins over Club GSL 14-1 and Northern Nevada Juniors 14-1 in Round 1 and PSVBA 14-1 and Wave 14-2 in Round 2.</p>