Rundown of 15U Iowa Clubs at Northern Lights Qualifier

MINNEAPOLIS - This past weekend's Northern Lights Qualifier at the convention center brought in talented teams from around the country. Iowa clubs were well represented at the event.   Two 15U divisions featured squads from the state. The group included a champion.   Here's a closer look at the Iowa teams we saw in action:   POWERPLEX JACKSON   Finish: American Division Champion   What we saw: The top 15U team for the successful Central Iowa program added a title after previously punching its ticket to this summer's national tournament. PowerPlex dominated the competition, going 11-0 and taking 22 of 23 sets played.   Plex can up its American bid to a National bid with another championship at this weekend's Iowa Regional Qualifier. It will be a competitive division there, but this outfit has the goods to make it happen.   It has a hammer on the outside in [player_tooltip player_id='732859' first='Elle' last='Isaacson']. She's tall with long arms and a big whip with her right arm generating plenty of power.   Berkley Weiland shares setting duties with [player_tooltip player_id='730468' first='Lyla' last='Nelson'] and also hits soundly from the opposite pin. Weiland is an excellent all-around athlete that also stands out in basketball, track and softball. Nelson provides hitters with precise offerings.   [player_tooltip player_id='730423' first='Harper' last='Rus'] contributes through six rotations. She defends the back and front rows well and is a high-octane hitter on the outside or from 10-feet.   Plex boasts a talented duo in the middle of the net. [player_tooltip player_id='546566' first='Tabitha' last='Molden'] and Gianna Stanfel are agile and versatile with both of them capable of swinging and defending at the pins.   [player_tooltip player_id='729146' first='Anna' last='Jackson'] is one of the better liberos in the state for this age group. She moves well laterally and possesses quick reflexes to handle opponents with a lot of pace. [player_tooltip player_id='775051' first='Ingrid' last='Secory'] contributes sound play at DS.   POWERPLEX MUELLER   Finish: 9th in American   What We Saw: The second Plex team can hold its own at next weekend's regional qualifier. It would not be at all surprising to see it advance to Sunday's gold bracket.   This group is led by six-rotation outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='729453' first='Jennifer' last='Alexander']. The swing is her main thing, but she's solid in the back row and defends effectively at the net.   Leela Appledorn impresses on the right side. The same can be said about libero Hannah Presley, who works well with DS [player_tooltip player_id='730450' first='[player_tooltip player_id='523168' first='Kylie' last='']' last='Janssen']. Setters Audrey Juergens and Avery Bowen are an effective tandem, [player_tooltip player_id='754649' first='Peyton' last='Dirks'] and Ava Blackburn hold down the middle of the net, and [player_tooltip player_id='730410' first='Ellie' last='Steinkamp'] gives this team a finisher on the outside.   IMPACT ELITE   Finish: 18th in USA   What We Saw: This team has made plenty of progress since we watched it during the MLK event in Overland Park, KS. It proved here that it can compete for a bid at the Iowa Regional.   [player_tooltip player_id='754572' first='Mia' last='German'] contributes positively through six rotations, while setter [player_tooltip player_id='612179' first='Olivia' last='Grubbs'] keeps the operation moving in system. Libero [player_tooltip player_id='762174' first='Addison' last='Matlock'] controls the back row, and [player_tooltip player_id='536274' first='Ryan' last='Connolly'] end points from the pin.   [player_tooltip player_id='754780' first='Ella' last='Fineran'] and [player_tooltip player_id='754848' first='Annabell' last='Niggemeyer'] are a pair of two-way performers in the middle of the next, and [player_tooltip player_id='775096' first='Avery' last='Baker'] and Emeryn Ott challenge opponents from the right side. [player_tooltip player_id='761437' first='Taylor' last='Gilbreaith'] adds depth to the back row and specializes in serving.   ROCKETS 15R   Finish: 19th in USA   What We Saw: Rockets locked up with high-end competition in the USA Division. They competed admirably, losing a pair of three-setters on Day 1 before ripping off four wins in a row.   We saw this squad in St. Louis, where it put up a good fight in the Open Division. With what it faced during the weekend and elsewhere this season, Rockets should be prepared for the Iowa qualifier.   [player_tooltip player_id='730426' first='Hazel' last='Schluckebier'] has added more reps at the opposite pin to her setting duties. The swing is coming along nicely for the left-hander. She's freed up to hit because of [player_tooltip player_id='751549' first='Katherine' last='Barickman']'s sound setting.   Charleigh Whitford impressed us again with her killer instinct even though she looks unassuming. [player_tooltip player_id='730449' first='Kylee' last='Suhr'] and [player_tooltip player_id='547963' first='Grace' last='Kremer'] provide this team with additional firepower at the net.

MINNEAPOLIS - This past weekend's Northern Lights Qualifier at the convention center brought in talented teams from around the country. Iowa clubs were well represented at the event.