Northern Lights 16s Recap for Kansas and Missouri
We take a look back at the Northern Lights Qualifier to see how the Kansas and Missouri teams fared March 18-20 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 16 Open We will start in the 16 Open Division, where Dynasty 16 Black did what…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWe take a look back at the Northern Lights Qualifier to see how the Kansas and Missouri teams fared March 18-20 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
16 Open
We will start in the 16 Open Division, where Dynasty 16 Black did what Dynasty 16 Black does…that’s win, win, win no matter what! If this team stays healthy, the rest of the teams in the continental United States should be shaking in their boots. They snatched up their open bid after another dominating weekend, going a perfect 10-0. They went three sets twice over the course of the weekend. Abigail Mullen Abigail Mullen 6'3" | RS Liberty | 2025 State #3 Nation MO continues to show why she’s one of the top 2025 players in the entire country with her play from the right pin. Carlie Cisneros Carlie Cisneros 6'0" | OH Liberty North | 2024 State #7 Nation MO shined throughout the weekend and another great weekend from Reese Messer Reese Messer 5'11" | S St. James | 2025 State #6 Nation KS .
Power ‘] 16-1, another team we’ve raved about in the past missed a bid opportunity by a couple of spots, finishing 5th. They stayed perfect up to the final gold pools where they dropped two tough matches to the eventual runner-up A5 and third-place team, Premier Nebraska. The team continues to get great setter play from Janelle Green Janelle Green 5'9" | S Blue Valley North | 2024 State #68 Nation KS and defensive gems from Mya Bolton Mya Bolton 5'3" | DS/L St. James Academy | 2024 State #134 Nation KS .
A team that is on the move is Pohaku 16-1, who tied Power for 5th after a 7-4 weekend. Their losses included two in gold pool play, one to Dynasty and they chalked up a win over TAV 16 Black. They also were dropped by A5 on the second day. The Ava duo of Ava Spachek Ava Spachek 5'11" | OH St. James Academy | 2024 State KS and Ava Martin Ava Martin 5'10" | S Bishop Miege | 2024 State #77 Nation KS looked strong over the long weekend.
16 American
Missouri Juniors 16-M was a win away from grabbing the lone American berth, losing their only match to 305 VBC in the championship match, 12-15 in the third set. Autumn Bax Autumn Bax 5'11" | RS Blair Oaks | 2024 State #188 Nation MO is a player we’ve talked about during the high school season we are going to remind people to keep an eye on her during the club season. This team has a strong roster that includes Hannah Vogt Hannah Vogt 5'7" | S Jefferson City | 2024 State MO and Isabella Herbold.
SKC 16-1 Premier had a strong showing, finishing tied for third place with a 7-2 record. Fisayo Afonja Fisayo Afonja 5'10" | MB Baldwin | 2024 State KS looked good over the nine matches. Tamales Volleyball Club and Highlands Performance 16 Rox wrapped up 5th place weekends to round out local teams in the top 5. Tamales went 6-2, losing both of their matches in three-set battles. Highlands 16 Rox matched that record, with their final loss coming at the hands of runner-up Missouri Juniors.
16 USA
Two teams from our coverage zone finished tied for 5th in PVA 16 Elite and Power ‘] 16-2. Both teams should continue to be in the bid category this spring with their strong rosters. After a strong regional performance, they will find their way into Nationals some way, somehow. PVA needed to challenge round win to jump into the gold bracket, where they defeated DNVB in the opening round. They would then be bounced by A5 16 Steve. Gretel Robbins Gretel Robbins 5'11" | RS Pembroke Hill | 2024 State MO and Anna Alexander Anna Alexander 5'10" | OH Shawnee Mission East | 2024 State KS are two players who stood out on film. Power ‘] 16-2 put many on alert during a strong Power league run. They concluded their tournament with a 5-3 record, including 4 straight after an opening loss. Chloe Tyrrell Chloe Tyrrell 5'10" | OH Olathe East | 2024 State KS and Brynne Stowell are a couple of players among many who played well.
16 Liberty
In the Liberty Division, one team finished among the top 5 in Club North Mizuno 16 Corina with a 5th place run. Their 5-3 record included three in a row after a 2-2 start. Katelynn Young and Alexis Kemp are two emerging players to keep an eye on from the 2024 class.