NVC Hosts 60 Team Volleyball Tournament

Back Row L-R: Coach Mike Patenaude, Delany Pearson, Emily Fossen, Kourtney Karppinen, Amanda Bisel, Megan Bergstedt.

Front Row L-R: Karianna Duesler, Jessica Newman, Kierra Johnson, Katie Schulz.
Submitted Photo

May 18, 2011

Northland Volleyball Club

Northland Volleyball Club hosted the NVC Classic Juniors Tournament on May 14th & 15th With 60 teams from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Canada competing in the 2nd year of this annual event.

According to NVC’s Juniors program Director and NVC 18 Green Coach, Mike Patenaude, “our tournament doubled in size this year forcing us to add another venue, so along with Esko High School’s five courts, we also used Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College’s three courts. Juniors Volleyball has seen tremendous growth over the past five years, our own club now supports over 100 players and 10 teams, and the North Country Region of USA Volleyball which we play in has seen itself grow to over 5000 teams.”

On Sunday, Northland Volleyball Club’s 18s teams were in action. NVC 18 Green went undefeated all day in pool play to advance to the Gold Division championship rounds. In the semi final match NVC 18 Green defeated Central Lakes 18s setting up the same match-up as last year versus Minnesota North 16-1.

NVC 18 Green started out the match aggressively behind the Barnum duo of setter Karianna Duesler and outside hitter Jessica Newman. Outside Hitters Kourtney Karppinen (Albrook HS) and Amanda Bisel (Esko HS) also had strong performances, while Middle Blockers Megan Bergstedt (Esko HS) and Emily Fossen (Cloquet HS) controlled the net. Anything that did get past the blockers, was dug by the team’s excellent defensive players, Delany Pearson (Esko HS) Katie Schulz (Cloquet HS) and Libero Kierra Johnson of Cloquet. NVC 18 Green went on to defeat Mn North 16-1 in straight sets to win the championship for the 2nd straight year.

NVC 18 Black went 1-2 in pool play, advancing them to the Silver Division playoffs. Coach Laura Sylvester rallied her team to win their semi-final match against Chaska Juniors, setting up a Championship match versus Virginia 18s. In the Championship match, NVC 18 Black dominated at the net behind the blocking and hitting of Maria Burcar (Wrenshall HS),Megan Reuer (Esko HS), and Kristi Wappes (Cloquet HS).

Bre Thomason of Esko HS did a masterful job of setting and running the offense for NVC 18 Black. Defensively, Libero Courtney Hunter (Barnum HS) and the all around play of Marlene Wester (Cromwell HS) kept Virginia’s attack at bay. NVC 18 Black went on to defeat Virginia in straight sets, to win the Silver Division Championship and complete the 18s division sweep. After the match Coach Sylvester said “I was so proud of the girls, they really wanted to win this and played their hearts out to accomplish it. I couldn’t have asked for a better effort and result.”

NVC teams will close out their season this weekend at the Head of the Lakes tournament, to be held at various Duluth School locations.

Comments can be sent to sports@northlandsportsonline.com

Back Row L-R: Kristi Wappes, Maria Burcar, Megan Reuer, Jenna Beaupre, Bre Thomason, Coach Laura Sylvester.

Front Row L-R: Laurel Morris, Marlene Wester, Courtney Hunter, Robyn Granholm.
Submitted Photo