Minnesota Premier Performances From The AAU National Premier Division

Minnesota has made their mark at AAU Nationals across all levels with some really solid performances out of their Premier Division. At the time of this being published, MN Select 17-2 will have the highest finish out of any Minnesota team in the Premier Division and will be play a Challenge Match to get into Gold for 17 Premier at 6:00. In 15 Premier, Kokoro 15-1 and Northern Lights 15-2 will play each other for a spot in Gold. Here are some top performances. Serafina Rivera - Northern Lights 17-2 - Libero - Class of 2020 Rivera is scrappy, combined with the training all liberos get at Lights, she has all the fundamental skills sharpened. Lights 17-2 had a tough start, but have bounced back to finish the tournament strong, but through the play of Rivera, it provided a sense of stability in the backrow. She will be a Senior this fall at Nova Classical Academy. Lizzie Holscher - MN Select 17-2 - Libero - Class of 2020 Holscher provides the first contact to get the offense rolling. Select has multiple weapons that includes UT-Chattanooga commit Kate Neill in the middle as well as Yaiza Franco, a 6’2 middle out of St. Paul North High. Without the first contact from the likes of Holscher, its tough for the Select offense to get rolling which its been on point ever since their high finish at Northern Lights Qualifier earlier this spring. Nicole Odeen - MN Select 17-2 - Setter - Class of 2020 Solid. Odeen is so quietly effective getting the ball to the right spot for her hitters to terminate, she makes it look easy. Great hands, great feed, and a solid defender Odeen is one who controls the tempo of the game and makes the others around her better. She will be fun to watch as she enters her Senior season at Buffalo High School. Kate Long - MN Select 17-2 - Right Side/Pin - Class of 2020 Long plays high, well above the net and when she is on the right side, its such a mismatch for the opponents with her ability to fly and just pinpoint where her shot is going to go. She is also using the block to her advantage and scoring a lot of points. With two big hitters in the middle, and a weapon such as Long on the pin it really spreads out the defense and keeps them guessing at who is going to be swinging. Long will be a Senior for a really loaded roster at Wayzata High School. Katherine Wong - M1 171 - Outside Hitter - Class of 2020 Wong has played in some big matches for Eagan High School and this past week she was a definite go to for M1, an electric six rotation player who is a primary passer as well as a big swing that brings a variety of ways to score points. Megan Reilly - M1 171 - Outside Hitter - Class of 2020 Reilly has a really powerful swing, an aggressive demeanor where she’s not afraid to go for the split in the block. A live arm that can score points in a hurry, Reilly can go line or cross as well as put up a big block. Makenzie Roettger - Kokoro 15-1 - Middle Blocker - Class of 2022 Roettger is no stranger to the big stage after competing as a Freshman in the Minnesota State Tournament for New Life Academy. Roettger has a fast arm where she can turn any angle, but she is also able to score points from the service line. Kokoro had big time success last year at the club level and are doing the same in Premier. They will have a big match tonight Northern Lights 15-2 to get into the Gold Bracket. Jada Nunn - Kokoro 15-1 - Setter - Class of 2022 Nunn has come on strong at the second half of the season and is finding her hitters in the right spot. Not only has she been pinpoint with her placement, but has also found success being offensive herself catching the opposing side off guard.