Kansas and Missouri 17s: Northern Lights Qualifier

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first crack at nationals is here for the 17s. Numerous teams are heading north to the Northern Lights qualifier in hopes of being one of the first teams to get that golden ticket to nationals. Here are the teams we think are in a good position to make it happen. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>17 Open - 3 Bids</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 17s will give a go for their first attempts at grabbing one of the three bids in the division. Three teams to highlight from Kansas and Missouri. In the first pool, [program_tooltip program_id='430200' first='KC' last='[program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last='']'] 17 Black will make their qualifier debut. They had a good showing in their [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] League qualifier last weekend. [player_tooltip player_id='173372' first='Lily' last='Wedman'] leads the offense while [player_tooltip player_id='185632' first='Alex' last='Klukvin'] is one of their defensive standouts. [program_tooltip program_id='428889' first='Dynasty' last=''] 17 Black will open play in Pool 5. They won the Heart of America [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] League qualifier last weekend. [player_tooltip player_id='154039' first='Reese' last='Messer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='153930' first='Abigail' last='Mullen'] are one of the top setter/pin duos in the country. [program_tooltip program_id='428799' first='Rockwood' last='Thunder'] 17 Elite is our third team shooting for an open bid. They are a couple of weeks into their Gateway League, which features teams ranging from 16 to 18s. To date, they have a 9-2 record. [player_tooltip player_id='169897' first='Jenna' last='Cubbage'] and [player_tooltip player_id='174405' first='Abby' last='Chall'] are a couple of players to keep an eye on. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>17 USA - 3 Bids</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We will be keeping our eyes on a trio of teams we think have a strong chance to leave Minnesota with bids on Sunday. Pohaku 17-1 has enough pieces to pull off a string of victories to get to the gold bracket. [program_tooltip program_id='428892' first='PVA' last=''] 17 Elite qualified for [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] League last weekend. [player_tooltip player_id='227605' first='Alex' last='Myers'] and [player_tooltip player_id='261113' first='Macey' last='Jackson'] are a couple of players expected to make an impact. And finally, [program_tooltip program_id='428799' first='Rockwood' last='Thunder'] 17 Navy will give it a go in an attempt to earn a USA bid. [player_tooltip player_id='231739' first='Kennedy' last='Jones'] is a player who jumped on our radar last year and will be featured on this team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>17 Liberty - 2 Bids</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two bids are in play in the Liberty division this weekend. Mizuno Club North 17 Karen has a strong shot at leaving with one of those two bids. [player_tooltip player_id='221012' first='Rylee' last='Adams'] had a lights-out high school season and will look to transfer that over to the club circuit. Mavs KC 17-2 is a team that impressed me at the [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] League qualifier. They displayed clean ball control and did a good job of staying in system. Another team I think will be in the mix is 417 Juniors 17 Elite. They are another team I saw recently who when they get rolling can get things going. Behind aggressive serving, they keep teams on their heels and out of system. [program_tooltip program_id='428889' first='Dynasty' last=''] 17 Blue figures to be in the hunt. [player_tooltip player_id='219779' first='Delaney' last='Rhoden'] and [player_tooltip player_id='492584' first='Sammy' last='Jo Kirk'] are players who help make things go. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>17 American - 1 Bid</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I have two teams I think could be in the mix for the one American bid this weekend. Alpha Omega 17-1 I saw at the HOA [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] League Qualifier and they are a solid team that can put a string of victories together. I didn't get a chance to capture numbers but they got solid play from both pins. [program_tooltip program_id='428892' first='PVA' last=''] 17 National competed and raised some eyebrows at [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] League and could do enough to get to the gold bracket and catch lightning in a bottle. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->