June 17, 2019
MVP United’s 17U Blue Volleyball Team Prepares for AAU Nationals
NORTH SIOUX CITY, SD – Midwest Volleyball Power United’s 17 Under Blue Team is preparing to compete at the 2019 AAU Junior National Championship tournament in Orlando, June 21 – 24. This team practices at the CNOS Fieldhouse twice a week and scrimmages against local high school and college athletes to replicate live play to help prepare them for their upcoming competition.
This MVP team has proven themselves successful finishing with a 14-1 record at last year’s AAU National Tournament in the 16 Club Division. They ended up as consolation bracket champions. This year some of their notable tournament championships include, the 42-team Asic’s President’s Day Tournament (18’s Division Champion) and the 28-team Mizuno Midwest JVA Challenge (17’s Division). Their overall match record for 2019 is 52-4.
The MVP United 17U Blue Team consists of local athletes from Dakota Dunes, Ponca, Sergeant Bluff, Sioux City, Le Mars, Sioux Center and Orange City. Three of the athletes are already committed to college teams: Kenzie Foley (St Cloud State University), Ally Beresford (University of Sioux Falls)and Makennah Traver (Northwestern College). Other athletes on the team are being recruited by top NAIA, Division I and Division II schools as well. The team is coached by MVP Club Director, Rick Pruett with Melissa Smith, Kam Smith & Lindsey Smith assisting.
“The excitement is mounting as we close in on our National Championship Tournament,” says Coach Rick Pruett. “The schedule and rankings were released and we are the #3 seed of the 138 teams in our Division. Our athletes have worked hard and performed at a high level all season! We are prepared to make a strong push at bringing home another National Championship to Siouxland!”
The MVP 17U Blue Team is hoping to bring home another championship to bring the Club’s National Championship total to 3. MVP teams captured National Championships in the 18 Under Classic Division in 2015 and the 16 Under Club Division in 2016.
The media is invited to watch this talented group of athletes practice on June 18 from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM before they depart for Orlando. Practices take place at the CNOS Fieldhouse – 300 Centennial Drive, North Sioux City, SD.