We have bids! Northern Lights and Florida Fest Edition

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We thoroughly enjoy it when a team makes us look like we know what we are talking about. Most of the time it doesn't happen but when it does, we'll take it. We predicted some teams to get some bids and quite a few of them had our backs!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Northern Lights</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>18 USA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='428892' first='[program_tooltip program_id='428892' first='PVA' last='']' last=''] 18 Elite</strong> made us sweat it out but they got it done in the USA division. The 1-2 day two had us holding our breath. The silver lining, two other teams were 1-2 and the set point percentage tipped in the way of [program_tooltip program_id='428892' first='[program_tooltip program_id='428892' first='PVA' last='']' last='']. Two bids were being handed out in this division, so after making it to the gold bracket, it became win one and you're in. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Kansas City area team squeaked out the first set 26-24 over Kairos 18 Alpha before dropping the second set. The all-important third set for a bid was on the line and a 15-10 win would give them their bid. They would drop the final in straight sets to TAV Houston. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>18 Liberty</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We got this one right too! <strong>Mizuno Club North 18 Sam </strong>went perfect this weekend after dropping one match two weeks ago in Kansas City. They needed to win two matches on the final day after getting the first round off. They had a hard-fought battle over Milwaukee Sting in two, -24, -22. They then bounced back to go three sets with Summit 18 Bob.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Kansas City Northland team raced out to a first-set win, -20 before dropping the second. Key plays in the middle by [player_tooltip player_id='123469' first='Sanoma' last='Hunter'] and kills from the front and back row by [player_tooltip player_id='119223' first='Shaye' last='Koski'] sealed the deal in the third. Libero [player_tooltip player_id='214763' first='Devin' last='Hoover'] played well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>17 Open</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='428889' first='Dynasty' last=''] 17 Black</strong> did get their bid though I predicted they would win it all. They ended their tournament with what could be a final match this summer with A-5 Jing. I was really impressed with the play in the middle this weekend between [player_tooltip player_id='119704' first='Cy' last='Rae Campbell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='216417' first='Piper' last='Newton'], besides the usual suspects. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>17 USA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='428799' first='Rockwood' last='Thunder'] 17 Navy</strong> needed an epic third-place match to get the bid we predicted, but hey, whatever it takes to get it done. A third-set 15-10 win punched their ticket to Nationals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>17 Liberty</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For some reason, our prediction didn't show up when we published our previews but I want to go on the record and say I picked <strong>417 Juniors 17-1</strong>. Seriously! They were a solid 9-0 over the weekend, only going three sets in three of those nine matches. Head coach Kelly Richardson's team was in a zone and it showed in their results. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Florida Fest</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the 18 Open, <strong>Mavs KC 18-1</strong> would double qualify after making it to the third-place match and already having a bid, decided no need to play it out. We saw a few highlights and [player_tooltip player_id='150076' first='Betsy' last='Goodenow'] is a monster. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>18 Liberty</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another Mavs team took the trip to enjoy the weather and play some volleyball. <strong>Mavs KC 18-3 </strong>battled their win to a runner-up and bid in the Sunflower State. They took down A5 Gwinnett and UEPA in their first two matches on the final day before dropping the championship to Palm Beach Juniors. Karsyn Stehlik, Taelyn Jones, and company had a good three-day run and get to finish their club careers with a trip to nationals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->