Day 3 Recap for Northern Lights 18s
We knew entering the final day we had some teams still bid chasing in a couple of divisions. The Kansas and Missouri teams were all outside of the gold pools and looking to end their day with some success. The…
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Continue ReadingWe knew entering the final day we had some teams still bid chasing in a couple of divisions. The Kansas and Missouri teams were all outside of the gold pools and looking to end their day with some success. The USA and Liberty Divisions had teams locked into the gold bracket. And finally, the American Division had one team from the state of Missouri looking to earn their spot in Indianapolis.
18 Open
The final day had all of our Kansas and Missouri teams on the outside looking in but all were looking to finish the weekend with a good taste in their mouths. Two teams entered already having earned bids, but they were hoping to keep that momentum into another qualifying weekend. KC Power 18-1 and Dynasty Academy 18 Adidas both played their way into the Silver Bracket on the final day. In the opening match, Power knocked out Front Range Volleyball to advance to a next-round match against Dynasty Academy, who had a first-round bye.
These two teams have seen each other over the last year as 17s and with Power League off and running. The first set went extra with Dynasty grabbing the 26-24 win. Power bounced back to steal the second 25-21 forcing a third and decisive set. Power kept that mojo from set 2 to get the set and match 15-8. This win would pit the Kansas City team against Metro Volleyball, which they defeated earlier in the tournament but the east coast team would avenge their loss beating Power in straight sets.
The two teams with bids already under their belts, Dynasty 18 Black and PVA 18 Elite were sent to the Bronze Bracket. Dynasty would win the bracket winning two matches, while PVA was dropped in their lone match of the day. Pohaku 18-1 found success in the Flight Bracket after a first-round forfeit, then beating Austin Skyline in three sets.
18 USA
Two teams entered the last day in the Gold Bracket and hoping to grab bids. One team already punched their ticket to Indy after earning a bid in Kansas City and was looking to upgrade. The second team was hoping to walk away in January knowing their future was set. Unfortunately, both Club North 18-1 and 417 Juniors 18-1 both went down in their opening match of the morning to fall out of the top 3 range.
Shockwave 18 Ryan and Static 18-1 were two of the four teams battling it out in the Bronze Bracket. Shockwave was able to win their first match before losing to CIA 18 Black, the opponent that defeated Static in the opening match. Flight Club 18-1 was able to close their weekend on a hot streak winning two matches to take home the Flight 1 Bracket.
18 Liberty
Mavs 816 18-1 was the sole team affiliated with the states of Kansas and Missouri in the Gold Bracket on Bid Monday. They dropped a tough three-set match to finish tied for 5th. PVA 18 National and Dynasty 18 Blue both joined the grouping of teams in the Silver Bracket with mixed success. PVA dropped their opening match, while Dynasty was able to etch out a three-set victory. Chicago Elite 18 would end Dynasty ‘s run in the next match.
18 American
North Storm 18-1 was the sole team representing our coverage zone in the chase for the sole American Division bid. They closed day two with two important wins to keep their hopes alive but ran into eventual champion Minnesota Juniors 18-1 in the opening contest. Topeka Elite 18-2 ended their tournament with 1 win and dropped their first match in the Bronze Bracket. Rockwood Thunder 18 White and Southland Aces 18-1 both competed in Flight 1 and would win their first matches to face off for bragging rights. Thunder was able to win it in two. KC Twisters 18-1 won their two matches to win the Flight 2 Bracket and ended their tournament with a 5-3 record after going 1-2 on Day 1.