Up North: Minnesota North Volleyball holds biggest tournament of year

Minnesota North Volleyball is a non-profit organization based right here in Duluth and this past weekend they held one of their biggest tournaments of the year.

Established in 2006 as an evolution of East End Volleyball the Minnesota North Volleyball Club continued its goal of promoting the growth of youth in the sport by holding its largest volleyball tournament of the year, the Minnesota North Duluth Cup.

Athletes competed in 4 divisions from 12u to 18u, the largest of six tournaments held from January to June. With team coming all the way from Minnetonka, Medford, Moorhead, Monticello, Minneapolis and even a few teams from Iowa. Along with local teams like Hibbing, Barnum, and Superior.

“I love the fact that we can get 128 teams from northern Minnesota, southern Minnesota, North Dakota, all over Wisconsin. I think there’s even a couple of Iowa teams here this weekend,” claimed Minnesota North Coach Derek Hart.

To accommodate all those teams the two day tournament spanned over almost every gym in the twin ports area using 31 courts spread from Duluth, UMD, Hermantown, Superior, Esko, Proctor and Carlton.

“It’s really fun to have a home tournament. A lot of the times we’re traveling down to the cities or far away, so it’s nice to have one where we’re here,” said Floodwood senior Kylie Hart.

“You meet so many new people, you build so many relationships and it’s just a lot of fun to meet these different girls that we wouldn’t get to otherwise,” added Hart.

While the tournament is ultimately played for a 1st place trophy, the goal of bringing players from all around the Northland under one roof is what will never change.

“It’s just such an amazing sport, being able to come together with different people and we’re all playing for the love of the game. For volleyball you all have to work together work as a working unit and that’s my favorite thing about it, I just love it,” concluded Ashland senior Grace Moravchik.

For more information on what Minnesota North offers and to view future tournaments CLICK HERE.