Minnesota’s Northern Lights Ready To Rumble at the Gauntlet
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We are less than a week away from gathering in Milwaukee for the 2023 Prep Dig Gauntlet! I’ve enjoyed watching the growth of the Gauntlet each year as teams gear up for their final run for a National title. You’ll…
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Continue ReadingWe are less than a week away from gathering in Milwaukee for the 2023 Prep Dig Gauntlet! I’ve enjoyed watching the growth of the Gauntlet each year as teams gear up for their final run for a National title. You’ll find a lot of volleyball buzz happening at the Milwaukee Sting “Hive” May 27th, 28th, and 29th. Here are some of Minnesota’s Northern Lights teams participating in the Gauntlet and players I’m looking forward to seeing!
Northern Lights 15-1
NL 15-1 is ready to make a big showing at the Gauntlet. They are battle-tested and have all the pieces to make a great showing this weekend. This team has one of the best setter/pin duos in the 15’s division. Rayna Christianson Rayna Christianson 6'2" | S Lakeville North | 2026 State MN is a versatile setter with height and can attack from anywhere on the net. Romi Chlebecek Romi Chlebecek 5'11" | OH Lakeville South | 2026 State MN is the electric outside attacker the powers the offense. Sidney Burley Sidney Burley 5'8" | DS/L Prior Lake | 2026 State MN provides some versatility as a strong 1st contact and a hitter with a plethora of calculated shots. Libero Madeline Kraft Madeline Kraft 5'6" | DS/L Eagan | 2026 State MN has been a consistent spark for this squad and she knows exactly how to get her team fired up each match. The front line includes Grace Hertaus Grace Hertaus 5'10" | MB Lakeville South | 2026 State MN and Bella Rosolanka Bella Rosolanka 5'11" | MB Chanhassen | 2026 State MN as the quick and athletic middles while Kendall Worwa Kendall Worwa 6'2" | MB Woodbury | 2026 State MN brings the power and size to the net.
Northern Lights 17-1
NL 17-1 is coming off a solid runner-up finish at the Molten Twin Cities Cup. They’ve been competitive in qualifiers and tournaments at the Open level. Along with a rigorous competition schedule and the Gauntlet, they should be in a good place heading to Nationals this summer. They benefit from having big attackers from the pin like Reis Baune Reis Baune 6'0" | OH Rosemount | 2024 State #181 Nation MN and Avery Jesewitz Avery Jesewitz 6'4" | OH Wayzata | 2024 State #175 Nation MN . Middle Blocker Paige Wagner Paige Wagner 6'3" | MB Lakeville South | 2024 State MN is a difference-maker with the ability to score as well as be a dominant defensive presence. This group has a lot of players capable of providing big plays in big moments. Setter, Maddy Dombeck Maddy Dombeck 5'7" | S Farmington | 2024 State MN , has been a constant for this group and she knows how to move the ball quickly to create a lot of opportunities for her attackers.
Northern Lights 16-1
This group is FIRE! They won the Open Division at the Show Me Qualifier and took an impressive 5th place finish at the Lone Star Classic in the Open Division. They have a roster full of highly competitive athletes and they are looking to making some noise this weekend. One of the keys to this squad are the dynamic attackers from the pins including Mia Weaver Mia Weaver 6'0" | OH Southwest | 2025 State MN , Mesaiya Bettis Mesaiya Bettis 6'0" | OH Burnsville | 2025 State #28 Nation MN , and Ava Ball Ava Ball 6'0" | OH Nova Classical Academy | 2025 State MN . Middle play is no joke with this group either with the net patrolled by Carly Slusser Carly Slusser 6'2" | MB Park | 2025 State MN and Keira Schmidt Keira Schmidt 6'4" | MB Eagan | 2025 State #86 Nation MN . They are offensively dynamic and won’t hesitate to terminate the overpass.
Northern Lights 16-2
Lights is deep in talent and that includes some dynamic players on the pins for this NL 16-2 crew. Elli Tufto Elli Tufto 6'0" | RS Prior Lake | 2025 State MN , Hannah Koester Hannah Koester 5'10" | OH Northfield | 2025 State MN , and Josie Tingelhoff Josie Tingelhoff 5'7" | DS/L Lakeville South | 2025 State MN are all electric from either pin. Anna O’Keefe Anna O’Keefe 6'0" | S Chanhassen | 2026 State MN is a highly improved setter that is making a name for herself heading into her junior year.