Missouri Teams Shining in the Northern Lights

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We had Missouri teams leave the comfort of their homes and temperatures in the 50s to the cold and snowy fun of Minnesota in March. As I've transitioned to covering Missouri only, it's been tough since so many Kansas City (Kansas-based) teams also have Missouri players on their rosters. I will continue to do my best to make sure those players and teams still get some love. Here are some of the highlights that come from the 16s division at Northern Lights. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>16 Open</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top finish from the Show-Me state would be <strong>816 Mavs 16-1</strong>. They own a National bid presently and the only bid higher would be in the Open. They had a good showing, finishing in 11th place after a 3-4 weekend. The team features some key high school standouts from Missouri defender [player_tooltip player_id='220462' first='Madilynn' last='Benne'] from Lee's Summit North, Park Hill South pin Peyton Limming, and sophomore middle [player_tooltip player_id='222074' first='Parker' last='Kimball'] of Park Hill. They dropped their opening match to eventual champion TAV 16 Black before winning their next three. Their weekend would end dropping their final three matches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>16 USA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mizuno Club North 16-1</strong> from the Northland of Kansas City broke even on the weekend with a 4-4 record. This was good for a 13th-place finish. They were slow out the gate, losing their first three contests before winning four of their final five matches. Park Hill South's [player_tooltip player_id='357573' first='Vada' last='Brattin'] has been playing well for them this year along with [player_tooltip player_id='485579' first='Mikayla' last='Fox'], who had a strong year for St. Pius X last fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>16 Liberty</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the newer clubs on the scene the last couple of years had a good weekend in the Liberty division. <strong>Optimum Volleyball 16-1 </strong>went 4-4 and walked away with a 14th-place finish. Things got off to a good start, going perfect on the opening day. That success didn't carry over to day two where they would lose their next three, including two three-set battles. [player_tooltip player_id='222062' first='Madison' last='Browning'] has continued her vibrant high school season this spring on the pin. Platte County's [player_tooltip player_id='525837' first='Malin' last='Cole'] has also contributed to Optimum's success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>16 American</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A couple of teams finished their weekend with matching records and placings in the American division. 5-2 were good enough for 9th place showings from <strong>Club North 16 Ashley</strong> and <strong>816 Mavs 16-2</strong>. Club North won five of their first six matches to earn a place in the Gold Bracket on the final day but dropped that opening match to end their tournament and shot at a bid. Claire Bingham, a Park Hill South setter, and right-side and defender Madison Brewer are two of many key players on the team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>816 had a similar experience winning five of six, including all three matches on the second day. Once they got to the Gold Bracket, they dropped the first set before gritting out a 26-24 second set. Unfortunately, Kate Beckman and company fell short in the final set. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->