Northern Lights Qualifier Shining Stars: 15 Open

<h6 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Be sure to follow @lshotvb on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lshotvb/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc">Tik Tok </a>and <a href="https://x.com/LineShotVBall">Twitter</a> for all things volleyball!</em></h6>   <h6 class="wp-block-heading">–</h6>   <p>The 2024 Northern Lights Qualifier was one for the books. </p>   <p>With the first part of the Northern Lights Qualifier taking place this past weekend, we got to see what the 18, 17 and 15s field were shaping up to this coming club season. The 15 Open saw the comeback queens of Nebraska Elite come from behind to take the Northern Lights Qualifier Championship. </p>   <p>With that being said, the 15 Open showed a lot of ballers in this young division. A lot of which, I am just now seeing take action. Let's take a look at the Shining Stars from NLQ.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Nora Herian - Nebraska Elite </h2>   <p>Leading the comeback queens, <strong>Nora Herian</strong> proved to be the go-to arm. This is a player can take over a match and she did just that during the championship. Herian has a nice size advantage over much of her peers and can hit with a wide range of shots. I was quite impressed with what she was able to do across the net.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Jordan Morrow - Houston Skyline</h2>   <p>This is a six rotation left side attacker that could very easily be atop of the recruiting ranks for this class. Jordan Morrow is going to be a name people need to keep atop their scouting reports.. Morrow had power in abundance and is equipped with a great vision to score. But as good of a scorer Morrow is, she is just as good in the back row, defensively, as well.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tinsley Welker-Brown - Houston Skyline</h2>   <p>Much like Morrow, Tinsley Welker-Brown is the next big setter in the Houston Skyline pipeline. I am calling it! Not only was I impressed with the size of Welker-Brown, but how agile she was around the court was amazing. Welker-Brown runs a top notch offense that includes all of her weapons to an effective tune. Easily one of my favorite players from the weekend.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Aspen Brown - Houston Skyline</h2>   <p>This is another player that I could link with Welker-Brown as a new personal favorite. There's simply nothing better than a high-flying lefty that puts some heat behind a ball. That is Aspen Brown's game summed up to a tee. Already, at 15s, she can easily be touted as one of the more physical attackers. Brown also had a <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb/video/7328940064854002986?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7291339429880153642">smash swing down line this weekend</a> that had my jaw on the floor!</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Samantha Chavis - Triangle</h2>   <p>You can never go wrong with a good Triangle crew. This 15s class, led by Samantha Chavis, is very much in good hands. As both a setter and an attacker, I couldn't decide which aspect of Chavis' game I liked best! She was simply so good in both positions. As a six rotation setter, you couldn't go wrong, but then she's able to bring such a belting swing. This is an athlete to keep close eye on.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Ally Forbes - Triangle</h2>   <p>If it isn't Chavis, it is probably Ally Forbes putting the ball away. A player with loads of potential, you saw it in almost every swing in Minneapolis. When Forbes gets ahold of the ball, she can really make a loud pop, killing it almost instantaneously. She also has a nice sense for the off-speed shot to score, which is nice to seet oo.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='453085' first='Kaelyn' last='Bjorklund'] - Northern Lights</h2>   <p>Another player that was seen flipping in and out of roles throughout the weekend, similarly to Chavis, I wasn't sure which one I preferred most of [player_tooltip player_id='453085' first='Kaelyn' last='Bjorklund']. While Bjorklund seemed to have caught my eye most with her running of the offense, I was still thoroughly impressed with the firepower she has. Standing at about 6'0/6'1, Bjorklund moves well around the court.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='483934' first='Presley' last='Kreter'] - [program_tooltip program_id='428892' first='PVA' last='']</h2>   <p>It's always a treat when you find that player that can "hit anything". This is a player that all she needs is for the setter to just throw it up and let her find it. [player_tooltip player_id='483934' first='Presley' last='Kreter'] may have hit every shot in the book this weekend. And very rarely was she seeing those balls not convert into kills. Kreter is a huge presence on the court, and an even bigger one for [program_tooltip program_id='428892' first='PVA' last='']. An effective scorer, she's an impressive blocker for her age as well.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='456247' first='Halle' last='Laincz'] - [program_tooltip program_id='430200' first='KC' last='Power'] </h2>   <p>[program_tooltip program_id='430200' first='KC' last='Power'] may have just missed out on a bid this weekend. I will say, this may be one of the most exciting groups in the 15 Open division all club season.</p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='456247' first='Halle' last='Laincz'] is one of the top attacking pieces to this team. A rarity to see the right side be such a dominant weapon at this age, and it's what gives KC the edge. Laincz is not only an effective scorer, but she does it with a lot of range. Especially for being a righty on the right side and so young, her range was impressive. I was also loving her back court play as well.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='446314' first='Bo' last='Bronson'] - [program_tooltip program_id='430200' first='KC' last='Power']</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='446314' first='Bo' last='Bronson'], alongside Laincz, and you have yourself one heck of a 1-2 punch on the pins. This player can get up and bring the hammer down on the ball. Bronson not only is a heavy arm, but she's an arm that is always in the conversation, whether she is at the net or in the back row. Her availability and ability to crank some gnarly shots opens up a lot for this team.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='446324' first='Sasha' last='Cromer'] - [program_tooltip program_id='430200' first='KC' last='Power']</h2>   <p>While [player_tooltip player_id='446324' first='Sasha' last='Cromer'] may have some real talented hitters, it wouldn't work without her. Cromer is another one of those players that have been added to my personal favorites to watch after this weekend. Despite her youth, Cromer is dynamic and smart. She's got a feel for the game that is evident and not seen too much amongst her peers yet. Her ability to move around the ball is impeccable because her hitters are always in great positions to score.</p>