Top U17 Teams Set to Square Off at Molten Series #3
The Northern Lights facility will be loaded with talent and great competition on Sunday as a handful of the top teams in the area will compete in Bracket 1 play of the Molten Series #3 event. The upper half of…
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Continue ReadingThe Northern Lights facility will be loaded with talent and great competition on Sunday as a handful of the top teams in the area will compete in Bracket 1 play of the Molten Series #3 event. The upper half of this bracket features three of Minnesota’s top 17’s teams set to square off starting at 10am. Below is a look at the three 17’s teams from M1, MN Select, and Northern Lights, that will join Vital Volleyball 16-1 Gold in the top half of the bracket. Also competing in this full bracket of eight total teams include (on the other half) the 18-1 teams from the same clubs as well as Northern Lights 16-1.
M1 17-1
This group has some great offense on the pins including Rachel Wieber Rachel Wieber 6'0" | OH Northfield | 2021 State MN , a recent commit to Division I Southern Utah University. Their other primary point scorer is 6’4 outside hitter Sophie Jesewitz Sophie Jesewitz 6'3" | OH Wayzata | 2022 State MN , who helped Wayzata to a class 3A state title this past high school season. Jesewitz has terrific presence in all six rotations as she athletic and agile and balances her point scoring in the front and back row with good ball control and defense. Another strength of this team is in their setting as they have two veterans in Olivia Koeppen Olivia Koeppen 5'7" | S Minnetonka | 2021 State MN (S | 5’7) and Jasmine Weidemann Jasmine Weidemann 5'9" | S Lakeville South | 2021 State MN (S | 5’8) that are very capable of controlling the offense through a 5’1 rotation. As Wieber is the only athlete committed thus far, this squad has some good talent throughout their roster. Here are additional athletes to keep an eye on:
- Madison Ellman Madison Ellman 5'9" | DS/L Chanhassen | 2021 State MN – 5’9 | DS/L
- Emma Grimm Emma Grimm 5'9" | OH Eastview | 2021 State MN – 5’9 | OH
- Carissa Richie Carissa Richie 6'0" | MB Mound Westonka | 2021 State MN – 6’0 | MB/RS
- Rachel Schneider – 6’0 | MB/RS
- Hannah Thompson – 5’11 | MB/RS
- Ella Wheatcraft Ella Wheatcraft 5'8" | DS/L Lakeville North | 2021 State MN – 5’7 | DS/L
MN Select 17-1
This team has some depth regarding size and elevation. Let by 6’4 Anna Wolf (Minnesota commit) from River Falls, WI and her near 10’5 touch, they have the ability to play well above the net. Adriana Rhoda at 6’2 is a 2022 playing up an age group and also touches over 10′ on the outside pin. Emma Goerger Emma Goerger 6'4" | MB Wayzata | 2022 State MN , also a 2022, is a middle at 6’4 and a near 10′ touch while 6’2 Ally Johnson Ally Johnson 6'2" | OH Rogers | 2021 State MN is a pin attacker. Kiya Durant Kiya Durant 5'11" | MB Robbinsdale Armstrong | 2021 State MN (5’10) helps out in the middle and is also a high flyer at 5’10. This squad is fun to watch given the variety they bring across the net, which also includes Skylar Gray Skylar Gray 5'10" | OH Maple Grove | 2021 State MN , a another Minnesota commit at the outside. They get great defense and ball control from Paige Thibault Paige Thibault 5'7" | DS/L Watertown-Mayer | 2021 State MN , a University of Virginia commit, and Kate Thibault Kate Thibault 5'3" | DS/L Watertown-Mayer | 2023 State #47 Nation MN , a standout representing the 2023 class. Another uncommitted athlete on this squad is Teagan Starkey Teagan Starkey 5'11" | S Lakeville South | 2021 State MN (5’11 | S) who brings good size to the right pin from the setting position.
Northern Lights 17-1
This team has seen its fair share of attention and coverage given the top-level talent they boast at all positions. They have an 18-4 overall record and recently finished 21st at the ultra competitive Triple Crown event in Kansas City. They previously earned an open bid to USA Nationals at the Northern Lights Qualifier. Their competition schedule does not let up as they have the Crossroads and Show Me qualifiers in Denver and Kansas City respectively. They open up play this weekend against Vital Volleyball 16-1 Gold. Uncommitted athletes include: