What better way to spend the holidays than traveling through Europe, making lifelong friendships, and playing the sport you love at the highest level? That's exactly what the Northern Lights Volleyball club teams from Minnesota did this past December and early January, and the results were simply spectacular.

The Northern Lights 16-1 team embarked on an incredible 12-day journey from December 25 through January 5, competing in two prestigious international tournaments that drew top youth teams from across Europe and beyond. These young athletes didn't just participate—they thrived, capturing first place at the 18U Youth Alpen Tournament in the breathtaking mountain city of Innsbruck, Austria, and securing an impressive third-place finish at the highly competitive 19U SV Dynamo International Youth Tournament in Apeldoorn, Netherlands.

Among these talented athletes was Rochester Century sophomore Laney Stellmaker, who joined teammates from high schools across Minnesota including Eagan, Prior Lake, St. Paul Academy, Lakeville North, East Ridge, Thomas Jefferson in Bloomington, Waconia, and Chanhassen. The Burnsville-based club brought together some of the state's finest young volleyball talent, proving that Minnesota athletes can compete with the very best the world has to offer.

The experience went far beyond volleyball. These young women immersed themselves in European culture, documented their adventures through journals and videos, and created memories that will last a lifetime. They navigated foreign cities, tried new foods, experienced different cultures, and formed bonds that transcended the court—all while representing their home state with pride and excellence.

The SV Dynamo tournament is renowned throughout Europe as a premier preparation event for national championships, attracting elite youth teams who see it as an invaluable opportunity to test themselves against top international competition. For these Minnesota athletes to not only compete but excel at this level speaks volumes about their dedication, skill, and heart.

Stellmaker's journey to Europe caps off an already outstanding sophomore season with the Century Panthers, where she earned All-Big Nine Conference honors. Her impressive statistics—493 set assists, 200 kills, 313 digs, 61 ace serves, and 20 blocks—demonstrate her versatility and impact on the court. She also reached the milestone of 1,000 career set assists during the 2025 season, a remarkable achievement for such a young player with so much potential ahead.

The Northern Lights 16-2 team also made their mark on the European stage, finishing third in Apeldoorn and sixth in Innsbruck, showing the depth of talent within the Minnesota volleyball community.

These international experiences provide invaluable growth opportunities for young athletes—teaching them adaptability, cultural awareness, teamwork, and resilience while exposing them to different playing styles and competition levels they wouldn't encounter at home. For these Minnesota volleyball players, this European adventure represents not just athletic achievement, but personal growth and the kind of life-enriching experience that shapes young people into confident, well-rounded individuals ready to take on whatever challenges come their way.