2023 Club Profile: Northshore 15 Lionfish

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's been a while since Northshore 15 Lionfish have been in action, but the 2023 season is off to a good start.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Northshore will get a good test in this week's Mizuno Motor City Madness. Can they continue to rack up the victories? Here's a look at what this year's squad is bringing to the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Northshore 15 Lionfish</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":264767,"width":268,"height":212,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/12/10-Emma-Flick.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-264767" width="268" height="212" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='261147' first='Emma' last='Flick']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jen Wright coaches this squad, which features 2026 prospects from Northern Michigan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team has a lot of Traverse City feel, with 11 of the 14 players coming from a TC program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Northshore has a nice 1-2 punch at outside hitter in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226934' first='Judy' last='Steffens']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226902' first='Claire' last='Hurley']</strong>. Steffens comes from Glen Lake and is a player that can make the most out of out-of-system balls. She's got a good read for the floor. Hurley is a 6-footer from the TC St. Francis program. Hurley was able to come through the TCSF varsity program at key stretches and her length allows her to deliver a powerful swing at the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Emily Kelsey</strong>, <strong>Sophia Clough</strong>, <strong>Madeleine Keillor, Macy Pohlad</strong> and <strong>Adalae Nelson</strong> are also addition outside options that can help at other positions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the middle, <strong>Sable Dankers</strong>, <strong>Reese Muma</strong>, <strong>Leah Sulitis</strong> and <strong>Piper Cavanaugh</strong> are the primary options, while Nelesen and Keillor can also shift to the middle. Dankers is one of the few 6-foot options on the roster. She comes from the TC Central program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Managing the offense has been setters <strong>Abella Gallagher</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226903' first='Reese' last='Jones']</strong>. Gallagher is from the TC West program, while Jones comes from St. Francis. Jones has been the primary setter for the squad and looks to be a promising 2026 prospect. She has worked hard on improving the speed of her play and has shown the ability of adapt well to chaotic plays that happen throughout a club tournament. Jones has a nice set that has led to some solid swings from her teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leading the defense is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261147' first='Emma' last='Flick']</strong>, a libero from the TC West program. She is aided by Kelsey and Clough, who each can fill in as defensive specialists as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Flick is a player that brings a lot of effort and energy to the position. She has good command of the back row and is gaining in confidence with each set she plays and each dig she makes. Flick's ability to establish ball control for Northshore is a big reason the team is playing so well in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Northshore started the year off with a perfect run through the 2023 Lake Michigan Open Power League in the 15/16 Open Division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That was followed up by a fifth-place finish in the 2023 Presidents Day Challenge in the 15 Open/Premier Division and a fifth-place finish in the Adidas Bluegrass Tournament as part of the 15 Classic Division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In both of those two tournaments, Northshore suffered just one loss. Their overall record right now is an impressive 19-2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Winning is contagious and the amount of winning this team is doing has to have them playing with confidence on the court entering Motor City Madness.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->