Northern Lights Qualifier Preview: 18s Open and USA Divisions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Northern Lights Qualifier is one of the first qualifying events of the season, only a few weeks behind the Windy City Qualifier. Numerous Wisconsin teams are on the hunt for their bid to USAV Nationals later this spring. Here is a breakdown of the 18s teams competing at the Northern Lights Qualifier in the Open and USA divisions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Open Division</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='428672' first='Milwaukee' last='Sting'] 18 Gold</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sting 18 Gold had a highly competitive Windy City Qualifier, where they finished in the silver bracket in the Open division. They went 4-3 on the weekend, and two of their losses came in 3-set thrillers. They will look to earn their Open bid at NLQ this coming weekend. This team is incredibly well-rounded, with numerous contributing athletes on offense. [player_tooltip player_id='497922' first='Maren' last='Motz'] and [player_tooltip player_id='178029' first='Emma' last='Koceja'] are outside hitters with a lot of firepower. Maren is a high-flying pin who is a new face on this squad. She can take massive rips on the ball. Emma has stepped up in a huge role as a 6-rotation outside and is absolutely dominating in every aspect. Eva Finnessey and [player_tooltip player_id='277420' first='Allie' last='Beers'] are showing their versatility and depth on the right side. They both put up huge blocks and are a great first line of defense against their opponent's top scorers. They also use their high volleyball IQ and physical play to manufacture points on the right side. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='178034' first='Gabriella' last='Pitcel'] and Karli Molnau are two of the top middles in the state, and they show how valuable they are. They make any set work and are always ready to take swings, even if the setter is behind the 10-foot line. This makes them incredibly dangerous and often gives them an open or near-open net. [player_tooltip player_id='178043' first='Madison' last='Marx'] has taken on a huge leadership role within the team, and 2026 setter [player_tooltip player_id='284069' first='Lizzy' last='Kwiatkowski'] is quickly learning the pace of the game at an 18 Open level. [player_tooltip player_id='178026' first='Olivia' last='Durst'] and [player_tooltip player_id='739525' first='Natalie' last='Powers'], two incredibly experienced defensive players, anchor the team in the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='428591' first='FC' last='Elite'] 18 Elite</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='428591' first='FC' last='Elite'] also made a statement in the Open division of the Windy City Qualifier. They won the silver division and went 6-2 on the weekend. This is a team that is stacked with talent and could have any number of winning lineups. [player_tooltip player_id='277430' first='Peyton' last='Carlson'] is a 6-rotation athlete who can do it all. She is a lethal pin who has also trained at the libero position and could dominate in any position on the court. Middle hitters [player_tooltip player_id='202186' first='Chloe' last='Parker'] and Mya Hemmer have both been unstoppable both on offense and defense. Their consistent and impenetrable block helps earn points, set their back row up for success, and bring key momentum shifts throughout matches. Setters [player_tooltip player_id='246946' first='Jordan' last='Czajkowski'] and Maddy Kreider set the pace on the court and keep everyone involved. They are smart and savvy setters who both have high volleyball IQs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In addition to [player_tooltip player_id='277430' first='Peyton' last='Carlson'], there are several pins who are huge contributors to this team, including [player_tooltip player_id='178223' first='Teegan' last='Charapata'] and [player_tooltip player_id='277433' first='Sydnee' last='Nelson']. Both can play all six rotations. This team has an incredible 13 of the top athletes in the state on their roster. It is no surprise that they started the season off in such a competitive way. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">USA Division</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='428672' first='Milwaukee' last='Sting'] 18 Black </h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sting 18 Black was one of the first in the country to earn their bid to nationals. They currently hold a USA bid from the Windy City Qualifier. They are coming into this tournament ranked 2nd and could double qualify. This team will bring a lot of confidence into the NLQ as they already have some major wins under their belt. I recently did a deep dive on this team in my article <a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/01/dominant-18s-team-performances-in-january/">Dominant 18s Team Performances in January</a>. Keep an eye on unsigned prospects setter [player_tooltip player_id='202178' first='Lucia' last='Brown'] and middles [player_tooltip player_id='275794' first='Kennedy' last='Nimmer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='487023' first='Megan' last='Leedle']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Madtown 18-1 National</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Madtown went 3-3 and placed in the silver bracket at the Windy City Qualifier. They will definitely be hungry for more as they travel to Minneapolis for the NLQ. The setters on this team are incredibly impressive. Charlotte Albers is quick and precise with her sets. She is a solid defender and runs the court very efficiently. [player_tooltip player_id='178308' first='Greta' last='Shadewald'] is gritty and an absolute gamer. She can also swing on the right side and has great court awareness. Madelyn Mitchell and [player_tooltip player_id='435358' first='Ella' last='Schuetz'] are explosive and high-flying pins that consistently manufacture points. [player_tooltip player_id='178307' first='Ella' last='Haines'] and [player_tooltip player_id='178300' first='Marta' last='Leeland'] are both experienced and talented defenders who run the backcourt and are scrappy on every single point. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='428591' first='FC' last='Elite'] 18 Navy</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At Windy City Qualifier, [program_tooltip program_id='428591' first='FC' last='Elite'] 18 Navy competed in the Liberty division, so this will be moving up a division to attempt to qualify. They had a successful qualifier, going 7-1. They ended up in the copper bracket but only dropped three total sets the entire weekend. [player_tooltip player_id='202161' first='Kendra' last='Shimon'] and [player_tooltip player_id='178256' first='Kalyn' last='Schueller'] are both huge point scorers for this team. Middle hitters [player_tooltip player_id='249648' first='Eliana' last='Brenn'] and [player_tooltip player_id='199439' first='Delaney' last='Ward'] are huge assets in the front row and are consistent forces on offense and defense. Lefty right side Kaydon Lamon always makes herself an option and balances finding great locations for her swings on the court and taking big rips to terminate the ball. Liberos Annalisse Coon and Boe Kashner can fill multiple roles across the back row and are both incredibly well-rounded and disciplined athletes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">MVP 18 Blue</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is another team that was discussed in my <a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/01/dominant-18s-team-performances-in-january/">Dominant 18s Team Performances in January</a> article. Keep an eye on high-level uncommitted prospects, including 6'2" middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='359925' first='Amalia' last='Neville'], 5'10" right side [player_tooltip player_id='178260' first='Ella' last='Heideman'], and 5'9" pin hitter [player_tooltip player_id='202209' first='Avery' last='Taylor']. This team is ranked 3rd in their pool but could be a tremendous competitor and cause some upsets. Not only are they talented, but they also have good on-court chemistry and show a lot of grit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">WI Flight 18 Onyx</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Flight team has athletes from a range of classes, including pin hitter [player_tooltip player_id='565667' first='Ella' last='Eckhoff'], who is from the class of 2027. They are a talented group with a lot of potential and a very competitive schedule. They placed 5th at the Prep Dig Resolution tournament and 14th at the Windy City Qualifier in the Liberty division. Middles [player_tooltip player_id='180257' first='Amara' last='Beaudoin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='388594' first='Danica' last='Rosenthal'] are both a huge piece of this team. They are relentless and very experienced in playing competitively. Amara is a player who can make nearly any play work and plays at a high level from the first point to the last. [player_tooltip player_id='520842' first='Addison' last='Vaughn'] is a relentless competitor in the back row and is not afraid to take control on the court. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->