Minnesota Select Claims U17 Volleyball Title

On February 1, 2026, at the Minneapolis Convention Center in the US, the final of the 2026 Mizuno Northern Lights Girls U17 Open Volleyball Tournament came to a close. Minnesota Select defeated Nebraska Elite 3-1 (25-22, 22-25, 25-19,25-21) to claim the championship, securing a direct berth in the July GJNC National U17 Women's Volleyball Championship. Both teams had remained undefeated in the tournament prior to the final.

The first set was a tight battle from start to finish, with the score tied at 8 apiece after see-sawing exchanges. Nebraska Elite built a brief lead with quick attacks by their middle blockers and precise serves. Minnesota Select regrouped quickly after a timeout, with outside hitter Ellyson Randolph leading the offensive charge. She notched four consecutive powerful attacks to break through the opponent's block, spearheading a 7-1 run to turn the tide and seal the first set 25-22.

In the second set, Nebraska Elite adopted targeted tactics, ramping up double blocks to shut down Ellyson Randolph while speeding up their offensive tempo and battering Minnesota Select's defense with flat quick attacks. Minnesota Select's primary offensive option was neutralized in this set, leading to a sharp drop in their offensive efficiency. Though they fought hard to narrow the gap late in the set, they lost 22-25, levelling the match at 1-1.

Minnesota Select took full control of the match tempo in the following two sets. Their setter orchestrated a dynamic multi-point offense with great flexibility, switching seamlessly between powerful attacks, quick attacks and back flies, which left the opponent's block predictions repeatedly off the mark. Meanwhile, the team's pinpoint positioning in backcourt defense led to numerous successful digs, creating precious counterattack opportunities. They went on to win the next two sets 25-19 and 25-21 in succession, clinching the victory. Ellyson Randolph poured in 28 points throughout the match and was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player (MVP) in a landslide.

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