Northern Lights Wrap-up

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='428799' first='Rockwood' last='Thunder'] 17 Navy</strong> finished in a tie for third place in 17 USA. After completing the day one pool in 2nd place, they followed up on day two with a perfect 3-0 record, not dropping a set. They would take out Iowa Rockets 17R 25-18, 25-21, Gulfside 17U Prime 25-17, 25-23 and DNVB 17 Black 25-17, 25-18. This put Navy in Gold, and they started with a quarterfinal win over TX LEGACY 17 Elite in three sets: 21-25, 26-24, and 15-11. In the semifinals, they would fall to eventual champion PowerPlex 17U Wieland 25-18, 12-25, 10-15.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='428799' first='Rockwood' last='Thunder'] 17 White</strong> finished the Northern Lights Qualifier with a 16th-place finish. After a 2nd place finish on day one, they would go 0-3 on day two with losses to High Desert Elite 17 Elite-E 19-25, 25-20, 13-15, 17 Ikaika Aminah got the sweep over White 16-25, 23-25, and MKE Sting 17 White 13-25, 18-25.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='428799' first='Rockwood' last='Thunder'] 17 Carolina</strong> played in the American division and came away with a 9th-place finish, going 4-3. Carolina finished the day one pool with a 2-1 record for 2nd place. Day two again would see Carolina take a 2nd place finish in the pool, finishing 2-1 with wins over Sting United 17 Black 25-19, 25-7 and PVA 17 National 25-19, 25-20. TX Heat 17 Blaze would nip Carolina in the first match of day two pool play 22-25, 25-15, 12-25. In the first game in Gold, Carolina would suffer a loss to Midwest Blitz 17-1, 19-25, 23-25. <strong>Isabelle O'Connell </strong>(St. Charles West) has been solid in the middle for Carolina, providing her team with timely kills and putting up a big block to hit around. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='492630' first='Sophia' last='Arana']</strong> (Westminster Christian) is one of the setters that keep the offense going, with her pinpoint set to the outside and quick offense in the middle. <strong>Isabelle Rysanek</strong> (Oakville), one of the pin hitters, uses her power to send rockets down the line. <strong>Elliana Casey</strong> (Affton), a 6'0" athletic middle, can fill roles as a middle or play on either pin.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>417 MO JRS 18 Elite</strong> takes the trip north and returns with an 18 Liberty championship. 417 would finish the tournament with a 7-1 record, knocking off SNVF 18 Secret in the Gold semifinals 25-20, 25-20, and fought tooth and nail in the finals, knocking off Mizuno Club North 18S 30-28 and 25-18.<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='493046' first='Shea' last='Skouby'] </strong>(Fair Grove) is one of the team's big bombers who will hit on either pin and play middle when needed. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219783' first='Skylar' last='Hilton']</strong> (Ozark) is out of the middle, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219780' first='Chloe' last='Judd']</strong> ( Nixa) gives 417 two big blocking middles who can bounce the ball. You have <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='237807' first='Reece' last='Cook']</strong> (Ozark), one of the state's top setters, running the show along with <strong>Audrey Riley</strong> (Clever). If you've not watched Reese play, you are missing out. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='208388' first='Macy' last='Humble']</strong> guides the defense, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='170042' first='Halle' last='Forester']</strong> provides the team with some lockdown pass and defense. One of my favorite players to watch is [player_tooltip player_id='737668' first='Anna' last='Brunner'] (Spokane), a terrorizing hitter who has moved from middle to opposite and gives 417 a massive pin blocker and terminating attacker. Congratulations on the bid!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mizuno Club North 18 S</strong> gave 417 all they could handle in the championship of 18 Liberty, taking a 28-30, 18-25 loss. Club North puts up a big block with 6'0" <strong>Kennedy Altic</strong> (Park Hill) on the opposite, 6'0" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219760' first='Megan' last='Bishton']</strong> (Liberty) in the middle, 6'0" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261299' first='Grace' last='Blacklock']</strong> (Northland Christian) and 6'0" (Northland Christian) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='735254' first='Molly' last='Day']</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261315' first='Scarlett' last='Frace']</strong> (Lee's Summit West) comes in to play defense and provides her team with a solid server and defender. Congratulations on your 18 Liberty bid to nationals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->