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Northern Lights Preview and Predictions

The Northern Lights qualifier takes on a slightly new look this season. While the 17s age group was added a couple of seasons ago to go with the 18s, this year features the 15s age group bundled in for the first time. That provides the younger age group an early chance to qualify, which is a big change from years past. Below, we look at the 15, 17 and 18 Open divisions and offer our predictions, as well as nationally-ranked teams competing, 4 and 5-star players in the field and a brief outlook.

NORTHERN LIGHTS 18s

Number of Teams: 27
Number of Bids: 3
Previously-Qualified Teams (2): KC Power 18 Black; Premier Nebraska 18 Gold
vballrecruiter.com Nationally-Ranked Clubs (8):

  • 10. KC Power 18 Black
    14. Pohaku 18-1
    16. Premier Nebraska 18 Gold
    19. A5 18 Marc
    35. MKE Sting 18 Gold
    37. FC Elite 18 Elite
    42. VCNebraska 18 Elite
    44. Drive Nation 18 Red

 

vballrecruiter.com 5-star Players to Watch:

 

vballrecruiter.com 4-star Players to Watch:

 

Outlook: Like Florida Fest that is also happening this weekend, Northern Lights is also the first weekend that trickle down could play a role in qualifying with KC Power and Premier Nebraska already owning bids. Both qualified at the KC MLK two weekends ago. They start off as the top two seeds and there’s a strong likelihood they will help create some level of trickle down, which could extend out to fifth place. It makes for a good opportunity for the remaining teams. It’s just a matter of which ones are going to take advantage? MKE Sting and FC Elite were both at Windy City, taking seventh and 11th respectively. MN Select, Pohaku, VCNebraska, A5 and Kairos were all together at the KC MLK event, along with KC Power and Premier. That makes for familiarity among many of the participants. Teams are ultimately fighting to make the four-team gold pool. That’s where KC Power and Premier Nebraska come into play. Should both make the gold pool, the other two teams would qualify. That would leave the final bid to go to the winner of the four-team silver pool. If only one of the two between KC Power and Premier Nebraska make the gold pool, the remaining three teams will earn bids before playing a match on Sunday.

Prediction: We like KC Power to come out with its second qualifier victory of the season. As for the teams earning bids, those picks are MN Select, Pohaku and MKE Sting.

****

NORTHERN LIGHTS 17s

Number of Teams: 36
Number of Bids: 3
Previously-Qualified Teams: n/a
vballrecruiter.com Nationally-Ranked Clubs (17):

  • 3. 1st Alliance 17 Gold
    4. Hou Skyline 17 Royal
    6. MKE Sting 17 Gold
    7. Mich Elite 17 Mizuno
    8. Surfside 17 Legends
    9. Nebraska One 17 Synergy
    12. ID Crush 17 Bower
    14. HJV 17 Elite
    17. Dynasty 17 Black
    19. Northern Lights 17-1
    23. GP 17 Rox
    29. Drive Nation 17 Red
    31. OT 17 O Felix
    37. VCNebraska 17 Elite
    40. NKYVC 17-1 Tsunami
    43. KC Power 17 Black
    48. Rockwood Thunder 17 Elite

 

vballrecruiter.com 5-star Players to Watch:

 

vballrecruiter.com 4-star Players to Watch:

 

Outlook: This could turn out being the toughest qualifier of the season. It’s a large field with 36 teams and not only is there no trickle down in play, almost half the field is ranked in our Top 50 rankings. To say the field is loaded is a gross understatement. That only three teams can earn bids here is going to make for plenty of unsatisfied teams who thought they could get the job done and punch an early bid. 1st Alliance, Nebraska One and Hou Skyline are powerhouse teams. Surfside, HJV and MKE Sting are other big-time players. Mich Elite, GP and Idaho Crush are also major factors. Then there’s Dynasty, which is offering a new look this season and could easily play a role when it’s all said and done. The only thing we know for sure is that this qualifier is going to pack a punch and run heavy on excitement and entertainment.

Prediction: The depth of field makes offering a prediction truly challenging. We do expect 1st Alliance to come out the gate hot, winning the event and beating Hou Skyline in the final. The third bid goes to Nebraska One after fending off Mich Elite in the third-place match.

***

NORTHERN LIGHTS 15s

Number of Teams: 18
Number of Bids: 2
Previously-Qualified Teams: n/a
vballrecruiter.com Nationally-Ranked Clubs (6):

  • 21. Hou Skyline 15 Royal
    25. Northern Lights 15-1
    35. GP 15 Rox
    42. KC Power 15 Black
    45. PVA 15 Elite
    47. FC Elite 15 Navy

 

vballrecruiter.com 4-star Players to Watch:

 

Outlook: With 18 teams, it’s a small grouping for the 15 Open qualifier. With less than 24 teams it makes for two bids going out instead of three. That means we already have at least one at-large bid to be awarded after qualifying season ends. Being the first qualifier of the year for the 15s also means no trickle down. Teams are playing to make one of the two, three-team gold pools on Day 3. The winner of each pool will qualify and play off for first place. Hou Skyline opens as the top seed. With the Tour of Texas under its belt two weekends ago, the club has played more high-level competition than anyone else in the field and that could give Hou Skyline an advantage. HJV is also in the field and for the same reason could be a team to watch for. Regardless, it remains a wide-open field given the younger age and the lack of competition overall. It’s likely to lead to unpredictable results and surprises along the way.

Prediction: The call is Hou Skyline coming out ahead and earning one of the two bids. The other bid goes to Northern Lights.

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