Northern Lights Qualifier Shining Stars: 17 Open Liberos
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Be sure to follow @lshotvb on Instagram, Tik Tok and Twitter for all things volleyball! – The 2024 Northern Lights Qualifier was one for the books. With the first part of the Northern Lights Qualifier taking place this past weekend, we got to see what the 18,…
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The 2024 Northern Lights Qualifier was one for the books.
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. 17 Open saw Houston Skyline take home the NLQ Crown after upsetting the projected winners, 1st Alliance in the gold pools.
Because of all of the talent on display in this division, there’s so much to talk about. So, we’re going to be breaking down the 17 Open Division by positions. First up, the liberos.
Aniya Warren – 1st Alliance
She is easily one of the most entertaining liberos to catch in action in this age group. Aniya Warren just has this presence on the court that is inescapable. Warren plays stellar defense and covers a lot of ground on serve receive. She’s a natural leader for this squad and it goes a long ways.
McKenna Garr McKenna Garr 5'7" | DS/L Rush City | 2025 State #126 Nation MN – Northern Lights
Somewhat of a hometown hero around these parts. McKenna Garr McKenna Garr 5'7" | DS/L Rush City | 2025 State #126 Nation MN is the next big libero to come out of the Twin Cities and she’s staying here for the next several years with the Minnesota Gophers. Garr caught my eye during her big 16s season, and she’s proving even more just how ready she is to take on the Big Ten in little over a year.
Keri Leimbach – Nebraska One
From one future Big Ten juggernaut to the next, this is a player that I didn’t get to watch much last season. But after her commitment to Nebraska, she’s been on my radar. After this weekend, I am 100% solid on why Keri Leimbach may be the next big bro for the Big Red.
Josie Tingelhoff Josie Tingelhoff 5'7" | DS/L Lakeville South | 2025 State MN – MN Select
Another native product from the Twin Cities, Josie Tingelhoff Josie Tingelhoff 5'7" | DS/L Lakeville South | 2025 State MN was a nice catch to this weekend’s competition. Josie Tingelhoff Josie Tingelhoff 5'7" | DS/L Lakeville South | 2025 State MN is an exciting up-and-coming libero for MN Select. She’s scrappy and she’s vocal, covering a lot of ground and demanding the flow of the court. Tingelhoff is yet to announce any commitment, but I wouldn’t hold my breath on that with how big she’s started off the 17s season.
Hadley Porter – Dynasty
This Dynasty group has a bit of a different look this year. But one big piece of it’s puzzle from last year remains the same and that’s Hadley Porter. This is another player that I didn’t catch too much last season, but have become a huge fan of after this weekend at Northern Lights.
Elizabeth Bower – ID Crush
This libero “crushed” it this weekend. Arguably one of the biggest surprises from the weekend, especially coming into Day 3, was that ID Crush nearly took the NLQ 17 Open crown! Snagging their bid and putting the open level on high alert. Much of this was because of the play of Elizabeth Bower. A young 2026 prospect, playing up another year with this ID Crush group, she looks like she’s miles ahead of some of her peers when it comes to this higher age. Bower is a stalwart and came up clutch in some of their biggest wins this weekend.