All Star Game; Northern Sun Schedules

#1 posting 7.31.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

ALL STAR GAME
The Minnesota Volleyball Coaches All Star Game takes place tomorrow in Monticello at 7 pm. The West Central Tribune has more details.

NORTHERN SUN PLANS
The Northern Sun is working on schedules and division. No schedule has been set yet for volleyball. From the Winona Daily News.

Thanks to the readers for the help. If you have news go to my profile and email me.

next up: tomorrow

Fall Clinic

#1 posting 7.30.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

FALL CLINIC
The Minnesota Girls Volleyball Fall Clinic starts on Wednesday at Monticello HS. Here is the schedule. Registration starts at 2 pm. There will be an All Star Game at 7 pm on Wednesday. Rules Interpretation on 4:40 on Thursday.
Speakers include
College Coaches
Robert Patrick, Tennessee
Jim Boos, University MN Duluth
Dennis Amundson, MN State Mankato
Erich Hinterstocker, North Dakota State
Dave Manka, Minnesota Assistant
Steph Schleuder, Macalester
High School Coaches
Franz Boelter, Faribault Bethlehem Academy
Paul Meyer, Sauk Rapids-Rice
Lonnie Morken, Mabel-Canton
Jean Lopez, Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton
Also
Cathy Noth

Thanks to the readers for your help. Go to my profile to email your news.

next up: tomorrow

Dynamic Duo World Beach Champs

#1 posting 7.29.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

BEACH CHAMPIONS
The dynamic duo of Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh won the SWATCH-FIVB Beach World Championship. It was their third straight world championship. Former Gopher Nicole Branagh and partner Ely Youngs finished fifth. They started in pool J. Here are all the results.

Next up: tomorrow

USA Developmental Camps

#1 posting 7.28.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information


USA DEVELOPMENTAL CAMPS
Ariel Carlson, 6-1 MH Alexandria; and Rachel Finkbeiner, 5-11 MH Elk River are taking part of the USA Girls' Development A1 Camp at Colorado Springs. Camp opens today and goes through Monday.
Earlier this summer Haley Bodway and Lauren Schlobohm took part in the Kalamazoo USA Girls' Development A1 Camp. They are both 2012 grads.

Thanks to the readers for the help. I can't do it all on my own. Email me your news.

Next up: tomorrow morning

Gibbemeyer in Thailand

#1 posting 7.27.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

GIBBEMEYER IN THAILAND
Lauren Gibbemeyer is with the US Junior Women in the 20U world tournament in Thailand. The Americans finished fourth overall. The US Team lost to Brazil in the semifinals in three 25-14, 19, 15. Today they lost to Japan in the third place game in five. The Americans won games two and four. Gibbemeyer had nine points in the 3rd place game. Gibbemeyer is 10th overall in blocks.

Thanks to the readers for the help. I can't do this all on my own. If you have news go to my profile and email me.

next up: tomorrow.

High Performance Tournament

#1 posting 7.26.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

HIGH PERFORMANCE
USA Volleyball held their National Indoor High Performance tournament at Ft. Lauderdale July 16-25. There was one Minnesota player on the roster: 6-6 Alexa Manuel of Eden Prairie.

thanks to the readers for the help. If you have news, go to my profile and email me.

next up: tomorrow

Milestones 2007

MILESTONES

If I am missing a milestone please go to my profile and email me the news.

COACHING
800 WINS
Gail Nucech, Hibbing vs Delano 3-0 11.9.2007
500 WINS
Susan Alstrom, Buffalo Lake-Hector vs Sleepy Eye 3-0 9.20.2007
Ruth Hayden, Ada-Borup vs Roseau 2-0 9.8.2007

ASSISTS
High School
3000
AAA
Megan McKenzie, Forest Lake vs Mounds View 10.9.2007
Jessica Menden, Shakopee
AA
Amanda Dietel, Jordan, vs Mayer Lutheran 10.11.2007
2000
AA
Josie Anderson, Kenyon-Wanamingo
Nina Lindquist, St. Cloud Cathedral vs Sauk Centre 3-0 10.16.2007
1000
AAA
Megan Carlson, Andover vs Farmington 10.6.2007
Brittni Hoosier, Rochester Mayo vs Austin 10.11.2007
Ashley Maher, Hutchinson vs Watertown-Mayer 9.18.2007
Krissy Schemmel, Mankato West vs Rochester JM 0-3 9.13.2007
Brittany Stamer, Hutchinson vs Farmington 3-1 10.1.2007
AA
Naomi U'Ren, Redwood Valley vs Springfield 3-0 8.24.2007
A
Sarah Gruber, Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa vs Morris 9.8.2007
Sam Raddle, Fulda vs Worthington 3-2 8.24.2007
Megan Ysker, Windom vs Martin County West 2-0 10.1.2007
DIGS
College
1000
Kristina Martin, South Dakota State vs Oral Roberts 3-0 11.10.2007
High School
1000
AAA
Maggie Geske, Shakopee
Montana Vichorek, Cloquet vs Washburn, WI 10.9.2007
AA
Kristen Boyum, Kenyon-Wanamingo
KILLS
1000
College
D1
Courtnie Paulus, Northwestern vs St. Louis 3-1 9.15.2007
D2
Kiersten Arendt, Winona State vs MSU Mankato 9.26.2007
Carlie Christensen, UN Omaha vs NW Missouri State 9.19.2007
Kari Wolford, UM Duluth vs West Texas A&M 3-1 9.9.2007
D3
Shelby Hyllengren, Hamline vs Luther 1-3 9.14.2007
Rebekah Nelson, UW Whitewater vs UW Platteville 3-0 9.26.2007
High School
AAA
Maggie Geske, Shakopee
AA
Leah Dietel, Jordan vs Holy Family 3-0 9.7.2007
A
Kate Horihan, Mabel-Canton vs Houston 3-1 10.11.2007
Chelsea Nagle, Fillmore Central vs LeRoy-Ostrander 3-2 10.27.2007
Sari Noga, Parkers Prairie vs Rothsay 10.11.2007

Keep me posted when there is a new milestone. Go to my profile and email me.

Transfers07

TRANSFERS 2007
A list of players known to have transferred so far

Name, old school, new school
Courtney Bitter, Lake of the Woods, Bemidji
Katherine Harms, Little Falls, St. Michael-Albertville
Nakita Walker, St. Paul Highland Park, Minneapolis Southwest

If you know of any other transfers, go to my profile and email me.

Recruiting Punishment

#1 posting 7.25.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

SUSPENDED, NOT BARRED
I know this is a non-Minnesota story, but it is still pertinent. The Langdon, North Dakota volleyball team was originally barred from postseason play because their coach talked to a Munich that was in a co-op with Cando and were looking to get out. Now Langdon will be allowed in post play, but will be on probation. The Langdon coaches will be under punishment as they are suspended for a couple of years. The players will not be punished. Munich will not be in the co-op with Langdon. From the Fargo Forum.

Thanks to the readers for the help. Go to my profile to email me your news.

next up: tomorrow morning.

Academic Honors

#1 posting 7.24.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

ACADEMIC AWARDS
The AVCA has passed out Academic awards MIAC schools Augsburg, Bethel, Gustavus, Macalester and St. Benedict, St. Catherine's have been honored. Also St. Scholastica received the honor.

For Minnesota High Schools
Edina, MN Valley Lutheran, and Wayzata received the honor.

Here is the AVCA Academic Honors.

Thanks to the readers for the help.

next up: tomorrow morning

Volleyball Clinic

#1 posting 7.23.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

MN VOLLEYBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION
The Annual fall clinic will be held August 1 and 2 in Monticello.
You can still register for the event with this form.

Thanks to the readers for the help. If you have news go to my profile and email me.

Next up: tomorrow

Former Gophers Success, & Minnesotans on National Teams

#1 posting 7.21.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

USA 3rd IN PAN AM GAMES
The USA volleyball team took third place in the Pan Am games in Rio de Janiero. Former Gophers Cassie Busse and Charnette Fair were part of the action.

LIFE ON THE BEACH
Another former Gopher, Nicole Branagh, has had success on the AVP beach Tour. Branagh and teammate Elaine Youngs won the Seaside Heights, NJ tournament on July 5-8. Branagh/Youngs are currently 3rd in the AVP standings. You can even see some video of the Branahg/Youngs win on the AVP site.

NATIONAL TEAMS
Future Gopher Lauren Gibbemeyer is on the Junior National Team 20u that is in Thailand for the world championships. USA lost to Germany in four games. Here is the media guide for the team.

As listed before Kelsey Brandl of Lakeville North is on the USA National team heading for Mexico for the World Championships.

ACADEMIC NEWS
Concordia St. Paul is one of 30 teams to be honored for their academic skills. It is the fourth straight year that CSP has won a Game Plan/AVCA Academic Team Award.

thanks to the readers for the help. If you have news, go to my profile and email me.

next up: tomorrow morning.

Carlson at Marsall

#1 posting 7.20.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

CARLSON AT MARSHALL
Andover's Megan Carlson made a trip to Marshall University to attend their volleyball camp this week. Marshall has upgraded their facilities, which was a draw. From the Huntington, WV Herald Dispatch.

Thanks to the readers for the help. Go to my profile and email me your news.

next up: tomorrow

Granquist Verbals, Brandl on USA Team

#1 posting 7.19.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

VERBAL
Jessica Granquist has made a verbal to Minnesota. Jessica plays high school volleyball for Blaine, and club for M1 Volleyball. She was the libero on the 17u team for M1. Granquist is the 8th player from the 2008 class to verbal a D1 school, and 11th overall to make an early commitment to a school from 2008.

TEAM USA
Kelsey Brandl made the final cut for the USA Volleyball Youth National Team. They are training in Chula Vista, CA, and will represent the US at the FIVB U-18 World Championships held July 31 – August 11 in Mexico’s Baja California region. The World Championships will be held in Tijuana, Mexicali and Ensenada.

PAN AM GAMES
Brazil swept USA in the semis 25-13, 20, 20. The Americans will now play for third place.

thanks to the readers for the great help. go to my profile to email me your news.

next up: tomorrow.

Cooper Hired

#1 posting 7.18.2007
your daily dose (again) of girls volleyball news & information

First of all I am back. I was on a family vacation to Medora, ND.

CUBA SWEEPS USA
In the Pan Am games in Rio, Cuba took out the brooms against the Americans 25-16, 23, 15. USA finished 2-1 in pool B. They now face #1 A pool, and host country Brazil in the semis.

COOPER HIRED
Former St. Benedict assistant Elise Cooper has been hired Montclair State.

Next up: tomorrow.

USA Sweeps Costa Rica

#1 posting 7.15.2007 and 7.16.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

I didn't find any great breaking volleyball story, so I will leave you this to chew on. I will be gone for a couple of days and won't return until Tuesday. Your emails will be answered then.

PAN AM GAMES
The Americans beat Costa Rica 3-0 in Pool B yesterday.

next up: Tuesday.

Burnsville's Summer

#1 posting 7.14.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

BURNSVILLE'S SUMMER
A quartet of Burnsville players have had a successful summer. Samantha Pitzl, Lauren Butler Abby Olson and Tori Dixon played on various Northern Lights teams and all played in the US Junior Olympic tournament in Minneapolis. From the Savage Pacer.

thanks to the readers for the help. Go to my profile and email your news.

next up: tomorrow

Pan Am Games & the Flag

#1 posting 7.13.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

CARRYING THE FLAG
Danielle Scott-Arruda will be the flag carrier in the Pan Am games that start today in Rio de Janiero, Brazil.
Former Gopher Cassie Busse is on the roster.

PROGRAM AWARD
North Dakota State picked up an award for their volleyball game program. The College Sports Information Directors of America gave them the Best in the Nation award.

next up; tomorrow

Albert Lea Hires

#1 posting 7.12.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

COACHING NEWS
Lisa Deyak has been named coach at Albert Lea. This is Deyak's second go around with the Tigers. She replaces Melissa Wasmoen who resigned after her teaching position was cut. From the Albert Lea Tribune.

thanks to the readers for the help. go to my profile and email your news.

next up: tomorrow

Rittenhouse Hired

#1 posting 7.11.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

COACHING NEWS
Lori Rittenhouse has been named an assistant at MN State Mankato. Rittenhouse played her HS ball at Mankato West, and college ball at Wisconsin. She recently was a grad assistant at MSU Mankato.

Rochester Community and Technical College coach Jean Musgjerd is taking a sabbatical this year. She will be coaching a softball team (she coaches both sports at RCTC) in the World University games in Thailand. Carolyn Bell-Valone has been named Musgjerd's replacement. Bell-Valone formerly coached at Rochester JM. From the Rochester Post Bulletin.

JUNIOR OLYMPIC LEFTOVERS
Hutchinson's Brittany Stamer (Northern Lights 17-1s) and Kim Hacker (Northern Lights 17-2s) played in the JO Nationals in Minneapolis last week. The Hutchinson Leader has their stories. It will be after the All star baseball editorial.

Thanks to the readers for the information. go to my profile and email me your news.

next up: tomorrow

Carroll Verbals; Jones Hired

#1 posting 7.10.2007
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

VERBAL
Casey Carroll, Osseo has made a verbal to Northern Michigan. She is the second Osseo player to verbal this year (Tia Russell is the other), and the second player in the 2008 class to verbal a D2 school. Eight have already verballed D1 programs. Carroll is a 6-1 RH. She averaged 1.3 blocks and 1.2 kills per match last year for the 16-12 Orioles.

COACHING NEWS
Lynette Jones has been named the new volleyball coach at Hamline. She previously was coached at Bethany Lutheran from 1991-2002 when it was a junior college. She replaces Gina Rollie who resigned earlier this spring.

Thanks to the readers for the help. Go to my profile to email me your news.

Next up: tomorrow

End of the JO Tournament; All Tournament Teams

#1 posting 7.9.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

END OF THE TOURNAMENT/ALL TOURNAMENT
Here are the all tournament teams for the 18s open JO volleyball tournament. Brook Dieter and Lauren Gibbemeyer made the list for Northern Lights. In the game I saw Juliane Piggott and Geena Urango of TCA Third Degree also made the list. The photos also show the top three teams for all divisions. Northern Lights finished 3rd for the open division.
In the 17s open the All tournament team includes Kelsey Brandl and Lauren Wagner from M1. M1 finished 3rd in the open division.
The 16 American all Tournament team included M1s Kara Pioske, Rebekah Saugen and Val Smith; and MN Select's Tia Gaffen and Katherine Harms. M1 finished 2nd in this tournament; MN Select 3rd. You will need to scroll past the open and national levels.
The 15 Open all tournament team had Northern Lights' Tori Dixon and Ashley Wittman. Northern Lights finished 3rd.

PUBLICITY
Why wasn't this event covered better by the mainstream media? I know channel 4 and 11 had stories on the event, but it was more of "this is the event" updates were not really there.
The StarTribune missed out on an opportunity to sell more newspapers during the event. There was nothing except a paragraph about Northern Lights 18s and then today about the 17 results. Why is this? The StarTribune has in the past slathered the Schwans Soccer tournament with stories and results.
is it because of cost? (I think this is close to the mark)
is it because of the event not providing information? (which I doubt)
is it because they don't care?
They had an opportunity to sell to a wider audience. Why would a family buy the paper with not one drop of ink on results? Well they wouldn't. When I was there on Thursday and taking time to eat the only papers I found on the tables were USA Today (they too didn't have anything on the tournament). They missed out on a golden opportunity.

The tournament was a great event. It is too bad not enough people (outside the volleyball world) knew what kind of impact/event it really was.

Thanks to the readers for the help. Go to my profile to email your news.

Next up: tomorrow.

M1 16s Second in 16 American Division

#1 posting 7.8.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

LAST DAY OF JO TOURNAMENT
Today the Junior Olympic Volleyball tournament wraps up. WCCO TV has a story on how big the event is with courts, refs, trainers and schedules. There is the copy version and the video is 2:12 long.

16 Nationals
Northern Lights 161s finished 10th overall. They lost in the Silver championship to the Texas Tornadoes 25-18, 15-25, 15-13.
In the American division M1s 16s finished in second place falling to A5 16 Erica in the championship 21-25, 28-26, 15-7. M1s beat MN Select in the semis. MN Select finished in third.

17 Open
M1 will play for the title today. They face MAVA 17 Elite in the quarters of the gold division. M1 is undefeated at 6-0.

thanks to the readers for your great help. go to my profile and email me if you have news.

next up: tomorrow

M1 17s Undefeated in Open Pool 2

#1 posting 7.7.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

JUNIOR OLYMPIC
18 Open
As reported yesterday, Northern Lights finished 3rd. They lost to the eventual champs SPVB in the semis in a sweep.
18 Nationals
In the Silver bracket MN Select finished 11th.
17 Open
M1 is still undefeated in pool 2 at 4-0. A key match will take place a 2 pm with TCA, the same program that bumped off Northern Lights in the 18open pool play on Thursday.
Northern Lights is 1-3 in pool 3.
17 National
MN Select finished 1-4 in pool 7.
Northern Lights 17-2s finished 3-2 in pool 5.
16 National
Northern Lights 1s are in the Silver bracket today.

To see more schedules and results go to the USA Junior Olympic site.

Thanks to the readers for the help in getting this site up. Go to my profile and email me with your news.

Next up: tomorrow.

Out & About: TCA Third Degree/Northern Lights

#3 posting 7.6.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

This game took place yesterday
Junior Olympic Championships
18 Open, Pool Play
TCA-THIRD DEGREE 3, NORTHERN LIGHTS 2
25-20, 25-23, 13-25, 26-28, 15-13

The defending champs Northern Lights, a team made up Minnesota players, including three future Gophers, lost a thriller to TCA Third Degree, a team from Southern California.

In game one NL had a tough two serve receive rotation stretch where TCA out scored the home town 7-1. In high level play, side outs rule. NL was only able to score on three of their serves, TCA only five. But that two serve rotation was enough to give TCA a lead that NL couldn't overcome.

In game two NL led 9-6 after one full cycle through each service order. TCA added three points to their total on Geena Urango's serve and the game was knotted at 10. On Juliane Piggott' serve TCA added two points to get a slight advantage 22-20. Kresson Vreeman was able to tie it at 22 on her serve for NL, but on the side out TCA went back in front. Both teams traded side outs for two serves. Piggott ended game two with a back row kill 25-23.

In the do or die third game NL got the job done. They established themselves early and never surrendered the lead. Vreeman served four points to put the game within striking distance at 20-13. Brook Dieter finished with four service points.

Northern Lights needed their rally caps in game four. NL failed to side out three straight times and TCA took advantage of that for a 10-5 run to go up 17-13. Hailey Cowles was able to serve up four points including an ace to tie the score at 20 before a side out gave the ball back to TCA. NL had an advantage at 22-21 after a Piggott hitting error but neither team was able to shake the other. NL got a side out on a Lauren Gibbemeyer kill to make it 27-26 and for point 28 Allie Oelke had a block to finish the game. It was all tied up at two apiece.

NL opened game five with the serve. NL took the first lead at 2-1 on an Oelke block. However, after the sideout, Urango served up three points, all of which were either passing or hitting errors on NL's part. TCA led 5-3 after Urnago's serve. Piggott broke NL's back with four more points. It was 11-6 when NL got the ball back. After Cowles serve TCA's lead was cut to 12-8. TCA was on the cusp at 14-9 but Dieter staved off the final point with a side out kill. Vreeman served up three points before Urango finished the contest with a kill.

The coaches and teams around the tournament said this was the best contest of the tournament by far. It certainly had drama and pull. The crowds were packed around the venue.

Photos: #1 Lauren Gibbemeyer, NL swings on a slide; #2 Geena Urango, TCA goes up high, but Brook Dieter blocks for NL; #3 Julianne Piggott, TCA attacks with her team in coverage; #4 Lilla Frederick goes up on a jump serve and makes contact; #5 Urango, TCA is blocked by Allie Oelke with Naomi Johnson also setting up a block. click on the photos to get a bigger picture.

NORTHERN LIGHTS
They used basically three serving orders. In games 1, 4, and 5 they used the line up I provide down below. In games 2, and 3 Oelke led off the rotations.
1. Kresson Vreeman S 2-0-0----2
2. Brook Dieter, OH 0-2.5-15----17.5
3. Naomi Johnson, MH 0-5.5-6----11.5
4. Allie Oelke, RH 1-3-5----9
5. Hailey Cowles, OH 1-1-7---9
6. Tawny Dahmes, DS 0-0-0----0
6fr Lauren Gibbemeyer, MH 0-3-20----23
L Susan Halverson
totals: 4-15-43----62

TCA THIRD DEGREE
In games 1 and 2 started off with Urango; In games 3 and 5 started off with Kendall Bateman; In game four started with Christine Douglas. I am showing game 1 order
1. Geena Urango OH 0-2.5-23---25.5
2. Lauren Bledsoe, MH 0-0.5-1----1.5
2br Kelly Holford, DS 1-0-1----2
2fr Janea Rossell, MH 0-1-0----1
3. Julianne Piggott, RH 1-1-21----23
4. Lilla Frederick, OH 2-0-6----8
5. Christine Douglas, MH 0-2-5----7
6. Kendall Bateman, S 0-0.5-1---1.5
unknown 0-2-2----4 (I missed some action trying to write everything down and take pictures at the same time)
Stevi Robinson, L
totals: 4-9-60----73

Urango is going to USC; Piggott to UCLA. The three future Gophers are Gibbemeyer, Cowles, and Dieter.

Both teams lost in the 18 open semifinals today. They will both finish third. SPVB out of Chicago and Long Beach will play for the championship tonight.

Next up tomorrow

Out & About: M1/Southwest Illinois

#2 posting 7.6.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information


Here are some of the photos I took at the Junior Olympic National volleyball tournament at the Minneapolis Convention Center yesterday. This game was in the 17 Open Division

M1 defeated SOUTHWEST ILLINOIS 25-23; 25-20; 28-26

I gave a bit of run down of the action last night

As you can see the games were all pretty tight with M1 needing to rally from a 23-21 deficit in game one; and 22-19 deficit in game three.


STATS
serve order, player, school, aces-blocks-kills--total points
M1
1. Amy Braun, Lakeville North OH 0-0-5---5
2. Lauren Carisch, Benilde-St. Margaret's MH 1-0-2----3
3. Taylor Fieldsted, Lakeville North DS 1-0-0----1
3fr; Lauren Wagner, Cretin-Derham Hall 0-0-11----11
4. Megan Carlson, Andover OH 2-1-9---12
5. Kelsey Brandl, Lakeville North, MH 1-2-16---19
6. Catherine Yager, St. Michael-Albertville, S 0-0-2----2
L: Jessica Granquist, Blaine
totals: 5-3-45---53

SOUTHWEST ILLINOIS
1. Brittany Wallace, DS 0-0-0---0
1fr Lauren Budde 0-0-3----3
2. Lauren Stuckel, S 0-0-4---4
3. Torrie Bevolo, OH 1-0-2---3
4. Michelle Bartsch, MH 1-0.5-11---12.5
5. Amy Deelo, DS 0-1-0---1
5fr Kelley Michnowicz 0-1-6---7
6. Erin Kasson, OH 0-0.5-8---8.5
totals: 2-3-34---39


photos: #1. Kelsey Brandl, M1 is about to contact ball, Michelle Bartsch, SWI blocking. #2: Kelley Michnowicz, SWI goes up for an attack with Megan Carlson, M1 blocking. #3: Lauren Wagner, M1 puts the game winner down between Torrie Bevolo and Lauren Budde, SWI. Check the score on the table.
If you want a bigger view of the photos, just click on them.





next up: Another out & about, later today, in the five game classic between Northern Lights and TCA Third Degree.

Yesterday's JO Results

#1 posting 7.6.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

NATIONAL JUNIOR OLYMPIC TOURNAMENT
It is rather disappointing that there are NO results or any updates in the StarTribune. I know the StarTribune is having a financial crisis. Maybe that is the reason they can't even put in basic scores.
I went yesterday and will put up stats and photos later today. I had to sort out over 300 photos I took in two games. If you remember last fall I tried to take photos in the state tournament, but that was on a slow camera. Now I have a new SLR and did some experimenting yesterday. You can check later today.
Anyway
18s
Northern Lights lost to TCA Third Degree and both finished 5-1 in pool play. TCA is the #1 team, Northern Lights, #2. Northern Lights does move on to the gold bracket today. They will face Vision Gold at 8 am.
MN Select 1 is in the National Silver bracket. They start at 9 am.
17s
Open division
M1s were 0-2 in pool 2; Northern Lights were 0-2 in pool 3.
National Division
Northern Lights 2 were 3-0 in pool 5. They face another undefeated team, Golden West at 4 pm today. MN Select is 1-2 in pool 7 in the national division.

14s
Hutchinson 14s-1 finished 47th in the American Division. They were 0-5 in pool play. From the Hutchinson Leader (after the hot dog eating contest).

NEWS
Brittany Chambers, Jordan was at the tournament yesterday to pick up her national sophomore (2009) player of the year award from PrepVolleyball.com.

Ari Mehworter of Blaine has injured her ACL and may miss the high school season.

Next up: later today with more on the M1 17s win over SW Illinois and then the Northern Lights 18s five game thriller with TCA Third Degree.

M1 Wins, Northern Lights Lose at JO Tourney

#2 posting 7.5.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

JUNIOR OLYMPIC MATCHES
Today I traveled down to the Minneapolis Convention Center and watched two high level matches.
At the 17 open level M1 defeated Southwest Illinois in a sweep, but it wasn't a snap sweep at all. M1 had to battle to win game one 25-23. SWI led at 6-3, 15-11 before M1 rallied for four points on Taylor Fieldstad's serve. SWI did nat a 23-21 lead late in the contest. Lauren Wagner delivered a tip kill for a side out and M1's Amy Braun didn't give the ball back. Wanger had a kill to tie the game. Megan Carlson gave M1 the lead and then a hitting error ended game one with M1 up 25-23.

In game two M1 had the lead throughout the contest except at 5-4. Kelsey Brandl and Carlson each had four kills in this 25-20 win. Wagner put down the finla point.

Game three turned out to be a marathon but M1 pulled the game out 28-26. SWI did hold leads of 12-8 early. Later SWI led 22-19. M1 had to use their rally caps again. Brandl got the side out to make it 22-20. Fieldstad served up two points with Brandl finishing with two kills. A lift gave the ball back to SWI. M1 was on the verge at 24-23 on Carlson's serve, but Michelle Bartsch for SWI got the kill for the side out. both teams traded sideouts at that point. At 26 all Wagner had a tip kill to give the ball back to M1. Wagner, just like in game two finished the series with another kill from the right side.

I will have the stats and pictures tomorrow. Right now I am wading through over 300 pictures I took today. It is too bad I can't publish all of them.

In the second game TCA 18-Third Degree beat Northern Lights in five 25-20, 25-23, 13-25, 26-28, 15-13. Many folks around said it was the best game of the tournament by far so far. The fans were five deep around the perimeter of the sport court. I will have more on this tomorrow with photos and stats.

Next up: tomorrow.

Northern Lights 15s 3rd in JO Open

#1 posting 7.5.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

JUNIOR OLYMPIC TOURNAMENT
18 Open
Northern Lights continued their winning ways with a pair of sweeps on the 4th in the 18 open divison. They were 3 & out with Golden Bear and with Ascis Munciana Samurai.
18 National
M1 is 1-4 in pool 4.
MN Select is 4-1 in pool 7.
18 American
M1 18 East is 1-4 in pool 2.

16 National
Northern Lights1 is 2-1 in pool 4.
Northern Lights2 is also 2-1 in pool 8.

16 American
M1 is 2-1 in pool 4.
MN Select is 3-0 in pool 8.

15 National
National Lights finished 3rd in the open division. You can see them and other winners on the 15 page.
M1 finished in 17th place with a win over Ft. Wayne Kaepa Blue.

Action continues today. If you are looking for a schedule this is the site.

Thanks for the help. If you have news, go to my profile and email me.

next up: tomorrow, or later today.

Gaffen Verbals

#2 posting 7.4.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

VERBALS
Tia Gaffen, a 6-2 MB from Wayzata was verballed Georgia Tech. Gaffen will be a junior (2009) this year.

I have updated the verbal/signing list for the 2007-08 season. check the links on the right.

next up: tomorrow morning

Northern Lights Sweeps

#1 posting 7.4.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

JUNIOR OLYMPIC NATIONALS
18s
the Northern Lights volleyball club opened tournament play with two wins in pool 3 in the open division. The swept Skyline RoShamBo 20, 18, 20. They also swept Sky High 18 Black 15, 10, 20.
In the National division M1s in pool 4 opened 0-3. In pool 7 MN Select opened 3-0.

In the American Division in pool 2 M1 18east split 1-1. In pool 3 SW MN Juniors also split 1-1. In pool 6 Northern Lights 18-2 made it a trifecta with a split.

The 13u team winners are up.

Thanks to the readers for your help. Go to my profile and email if you have breaking news.

Next up: tomorrow

HAPPY FOURTH

JO Winners in 14u & 12u

#1 posting 7.3.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

JUNIOR OLYMPIC TOURNAMENT DAY FIVE
The main stream media has a couple of stories on the JO volleyball tournament going on at the Minneapolis Convention Center.
The StarTribune looks at the Northern Lights 18u team and where they are headed.
Kare11 has a video report. It is about 1:35.

The 18s begin today, the 16s tomorrow and 17s Thursday.
During the tournament the USA Volleyball site has something called Junior Journal.

Tournament winners have been crowned in the 14s, and 12s.

Schedules and results here.

Thanks to the readers for the help. If you have news, go to my profile and email me.

next up: tomorrow

Northern Lights 15-1s 3-0 in Pool Play

#1 posting 7.2.2007
your daily dose of volleyball news & information

JUNIOR OLYMPIC RESULTS
Hutchinson 14s started the tournament with three losses. They will finish the tournament with a game today at 1 pm against River City. From the Hutchinson Leader.

Also in the 14 American Division
M1 14s finished 2-3 in pool play. They then were 1-1 in the next round.
MN Select 142 finished 0-5 in pool play. They were 0-2 in the next round.
In the 14 National Division
MN Select 141 finished 3-2 in pool play; 1-1 in the next round.
Northern Lights 141 also finished 3-2 in pool play. 1-1 in the next round.

In the 15 American Division
Anoka is 0-2 in pool play.
Chaska is 1-1 in pool play.
MN Select 1s were 1-1 in pool yesterday.
Northern Lights 15-3s is 1-1 in pool play.

In the 15 National Division
M1s 15-1 is 1-1 in pool play.
Northern Lights 15-2s is also 1-1.

In the 15 Opens
Northern Lights 15-1s are 3-0.

Here is the overall schedule, and if you want to see a team check out their own schedule here.
Tomorrow the 18s begin their tournament; Wednesday the 16s start; and Thursday the 17s kick off their tournament.

Thanks to the readers for your help in getting this site up. If you have news, go to my profile and email me.

Next up: tomorrow.

JO 14s results

#1 posting 7.1.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

NATIONAL JUNIOR OLYMPIC TOURNAMENT
Northern Lights 14s finished 3-2 in their 14NP2 pool. The beat Ascis RainbowG14Lehua, MI Elite Red, and Asics Mavs. The lost to Club Amarillo, and Team Atlantis Black.

The M1 14 team finished 2-3 in pool 14AP2. They beat SIVBC Hurricane and CCVC Taz. M1 14s lost to Renaissance Clev, Milw Sting and Club Fusion Black.

Thanks to the readers for the help in putting this site together. Without your help it doesn't happen. If you have news, go to my profile and email me.

next up: tomorrow.