2019 Club Preview: Top U17 Teams in Minnesota

<p>The U17 age group is always an interesting one as often top level athletes get bumped to U18 teams not to mention that we are also talking about athletes looking to significantly raise their recruiting stock as they prepare for their final year of high school action. Minnesota's prep volleyball depth is plenty and a handful of U17 teams are skilled enough to be among the best regionally and nationally within their age group as well as potentially compete very well against the area's best U18 teams. The following represents a handful of the region's best U17 teams set to take off early this club season.</p> <p><strong>Kokoro 17-1</strong><br /> Representing both Minnesota and Wisconsin, this group will be a force. Led by the dynamic play of middle Maddie Whittington (Illinois commit) and outside hitter Cianna Selbitschka (UMN-Duluth commit), who carried her North Branch team to the Class AA state title, Kokoro 17-1 should compete at a high level throughout the club season. Lauren Stenman (Lewis commit) is a terrific setter with get athleticism and distribution from pin to pin and will create a lot of prime opportunities for her hitters to utilize their hard hitting abilities to score points.</p> <p><em>Uncommitted athletes:</em><br /> Jamie Ihfe - RS/OH | Forest Lake HS<br /> Alexandra Lyle - OH/RS | 2020 | Tartan HS</p> <p><strong>SWMNVB 17-1</strong><br /> Featuring athletes from the classes of 2020-2022, this group will pose a big challenge for any opponent given their versatility and competitive experience. Representing some of the best high school programs in the state, including Class A state champion Minneota and Class AA state runner-up Marshall, SWMNVB 17-1 will be a force this club season in the U17 age division. With a roster full of uncommitted athletes, college coaches will be watching this group closely as there is a lot of talent here including Natalee Rolbiecki (Minneota HS), Karli Arkell (Red Rock Central HS), Logan Sherman (Marshall HS), and Bryn Hoekman (Murray County Central HS). Keep an eye on this group.</p> <p><em>Uncommitted athletes:</em><br /> Karli Arkell - MB | 2022 | Red Rock Central HS<br /> Kalleigh Carr - L/DS | 2021 | Russell-Tyler-Ruthton<br /> Maysa Gillingham - S | 2022 | Marshall HS<br /> Autumn Hauge - RS | 2020 | Windom HS<br /> Bryn Hoekman - MB | 2021 | Murray County Central HS<br /> Katelyn Nichols - MB | 2020 | Windom HS<br /> Natalee Rolbiecki - OH/MB | 2022 | Minneota HS<br /> Abby Rost - OH/DS | 2021 | Minneota HS<br /> Logan Sherman - S/RS | 2020 | Marshall HS<br /> Mayssa Tweet - L/DS | 2022 | Adrian HS<br /> Sadie Voss - OH | 2022 | Jackson County Central HS</p> <p><strong>MN Select 17-1</strong><br /> A lethal collection of competitors, this group has all the tools to compete nationally at a very high level. The ball control will be among the best with Molly Schultz (Kansas commit) and Taylor Quan (North Dakota State commit) handling the bulk of those responsibilities. With no shortage of capable arms, there should be a lot of balance across the net regarding their offensive production. Led by Elizabeth Helmich (James Madison commit) on the right side and Halle Olson (Florida Atlantic commit) on the left, they will be complemented well by Alison Hinze (North Dakota State commit) and uncommitted Christine Jurgens (Eagan HS) and Jordan Stalpes (Champlin Park HS). This is a group that could compete very well with many U18 teams with some really good uncommitted athletes looking for the right opportunities at the next level.</p> <p><em>Uncommitted athletes:</em><br /> Lily Emlong - MB | 2020 | Wayzata HS<br /> Olivia Johnson - S | 2020 | Wayzata HS<br /> Christine Jurgens - S/RS/OH | 2020 | Eagan HS<br /> Jordan Stalpes - OH | 2020 | Champlin Park HS<br /> <br /> </p>