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Teams: 17HP, 18HP
NLQ Player Fee: $275; players will be invoiced through SE; payment due by 12/20/24.
Dates: Competition 1/31/25-2/2/25; Travel 1/30/25
*DRIVERS– We’re looking for a volunteer or two to take up a ball cart the teams to use.
*Families should plan on arriving at the hotel by 9pm at the latest on Thurs, 1/30/25.
*Coach Paige will be on site and will oversee things while in MN. You can text her at 630-272-2341.
*Make sure that you let your coach know your travel plans (fly/drive, arrival time) in advance and stay in touch if running late.
*Start times on Friday: 17HP- 3pm; 18HP- 8am
*Return flights should be booked after 6pm at the earliest to avoid a conflict with tournament play.- approximate 25 minute ride.
What to bring: both jerseys, practice tees, spandex, knee pads, warm-ups, socks, shoes, Volleyball, winter coat, boots or alternate shoes for walking outside, hat/gloves? Clothes for down time, pj’s, medications… spending money for food or tournament shirts.
Travel: Families are responsible for travel to and from the tournament. It’s approximately a 6-7 hour drive depending on your location or approximately one and a half hour flight.
*Airport travel to hotel: The Metro Blue Line (https://www.metrotransit.org/airport)- take Northbound to downtown; Southbound to airport.
Light Rail Blue Line runs from the airport (Mall of America) to downtown Minneapolis Warehouse District/Hennepin Ave Station– approximate 25 minute ride, then walk 3 blocks to hotel. Light Rail runs every 15 minutes on weekdays-
*Weekday Northbound Schedule; Sunday Southbound Schedule. Cost is $2.
Map Key: Purple line goes from airport to Hennepin Light Rail stop; Green line goes down Hennepin to Hotel; Orange line goes from hotel to Nicollet Mall and down to Convention Center (free bus)
Coach Travel Plans: 1/30/25- Delta #1250 arrives in MSP at 11:52am; 2/2/25- Delta #1563 leaves MSP at 8:20pm *Families or players are welcome to join the coaches flights.
*Directions from Lindbergh Terminal 1 to Metro Blue Light Rail Station: take Tram to Red, Blue or Silver Parking Ramps, exit and follow signs to Metro Blue station.
Tournament Site: Minneapolis Convention Center (MCC)- 1301 2nd Ave South, Minneapolis, MN
*Competition will take place in Halls C, D, E.
*Spectator entry is in Lobby D; player/coach entry is to the left of spectator entry.
*Coolers, chairs and outside food are not allowed in the convention center.
Team Hotel: Hampton Inn & Suites- 19 North 8Th St, Minneapolis, MN
Rooms: King with pullout bed; Cost: $169 + 13.4% tax
*Hotel offers a free hot breakfast from 6am-10am.
*Check with front desk for directions to Nicollet Mall or Convention Center.
*Our hotel is located a couple blocks from the TARGET store on Nicollet Mall. Nicollet Mall has not fully recovered from the riots but does have some restaurants and stores and offers a free bus service ( Bus #10) that runs to the Minneapolis Convention Center (MCC)- see more info.
*You can also use the Sky Way attached to the hotel but it will wind around and take longer, plus the Sky Way has limited hours on the weekend.
*The hotel will have Restaurant map with directions for you available at the front desk.
*We could use some help from parents coordinating meals for the team. Please work with Paige or your coach to help coordinate around the playing schedules.
Hotel policies: Individual cancellation up to 1/27/25 provided the group maintains 80% of rooms. See full PDF
*Hampton Inn is located within walking distance of the Convention Center and near Nicollet Mall with restaurants and shopping.
*Players stay with their family at the hotel. Coaches are also at the hotel and will set the schedule for the group once the tournament posts the schedules.
More Updates:
Northern Lights Recruiting Combine *Added 1/7/25
January 30th – 6:30 to 8 pm.
Minneapolis Convention Center
College Coach Attended and Video Recorded.
20+ Collegiate programs annually.
Video Recording and Player Information Packet sent to EVERY college volleyball program in MN/NE/WI/IA/ND/SD/KS!Open to any 8th grade and High School age female player!To Register – CLICK HERE
Spectator Passes: *Added 1/22
Ticket sales will open on Wednesday, January 22 at 9:00 AM CT.
Purchase tickets here.
All spectator tickets are electronic only, NO wristbands.
Every spectator must have a ticket with a QR code visible for entry.
The QR Code will be scanned for every entry.
There will be no onsite ticket sales; all tickets must be purchased online, downloaded and saved to device.
All tickets will require a photo of the individual ticket holder. Photo needs to be self-uploaded in advance before arriving to the Convention Center.
Photo must be current, clearly identifiable, with no obstructions. No sunglasses, hats, avatars, animations, graphics, etc.
Cost: Adults:3 Day Ticket: $42+ tax;Single Day Ticket: $16+ tax
Students (ages 7 – 18): 3 Day Ticket: $33+ tax; Single Day Ticket: $13+ tax
Parking: *Added 1/22
The hotel is within walking distance to the MCC or you may choose to reserve a parking spot for the Northern Lights Volleyball Qualifier, visit the Minneapolis Convention Center SpotHero Parking Page.
*Make sure that you check the hours if using a parking garage so you don’t find your car locked in on the final day.
Friday Schedules & Flow Chart: *Added 1/27
*All play is at the Minneapolis Convention Center
17HP– American Division, Pool 6, Court 6
See full schedule at VBSchedule.com
3pm- Off
4pm- CR Surge VBC U17
5pm- Kairos 17 Beta
6pm- Off
7pm- Alpha Omega 17 National
8pm- Ref
Saturday Options: *Determined by Fri finish
1st- 8am Play ct 10
2nd- 9am Play ct 11
3rd- 3pm Play ct 10
4th- 4pm Play ct 9
Sunday Play: *Determined by Sat Finish
See 17 American Division *Single elimination, typically ref next match
Directions: Minneapolis Convention Center- 1301 2nd Ave S, Minneapolis
18HP– American Division, Pool 5, st 35
See full schedule at VBSchedule.com
8am- Off
9am- Mizuno Northern Lights 18-B
10am- KC Power 18 Mozena
11am- Off
12pm- Milwaukee Jrs 18-1
1pm- Ref
Saturday Options: *Determined by Fri finish
1st- 8am Ref ct 3; 9am Play ct 3
2nd- 8am Play ct 1
3rd- 3pm Ref ct 1; 4pm Play ct 1
4th- 3pm Play ct 4
Sunday Play: *Determined by Sat finish
See 18 American for schedule *Single Elimination, typically ref next match
Directions: Minneapolis Convention Center- 1301 2nd St S, Minneapolis