Nationally overlooked doesn't bother Bjorklund who is WINNING and opening eyes all over Minnesota

"Would I love to get more national recognition and have loved to have been able to attend the NTDP with some of those very talented setters, of course I would. Those are flattering honors, but I am very comfortable in my faith, and I know that God's put me here for a reason, and God's decisions are made for a reason.  There are other opportunities available."  That was 2027 Minnesota Setter Kaelyn Bjorklund's response when I asked her if she ever felt like she had been passed over for national attention or upset that she hadn't been to a full-NTDP session (with all of the other success that she has had the past year +).  Not to say that either of those were warranted, but sometimes both get in their patterns, and very little new movement happens, and I often wonder (even with our coverage), simply due to our small staff if we shouldn't switch things more in larger states, or do we get things right most of the time?

It's great that the Lakeville, MN setter doesn't focus on who doesn't pay attention to her on a national level because quite a few people are paying attention to her in the Minnesota Volleyball world, the past couple of years, and one thing Bjorklund has done a lot of in Minnesota is WINNING.  "The last 2 years have been so fun.  Sometimes it feels like I am living a dream.  God has truly put me in a spot over the last two years, with the best teammates imaginable and the most supportive coaches, both in the high school season and in club.  Winning the state was such an amazing feeling, representing our school and giving them their first volleyball state championship!  Then the commitment to Clemson gave me so much peace in my life.  People say that when you go to visit colleges, you'll get this feeling when you're at the place meant for you, and I DEFINITELY got that feeling the first time I visited Clemson over spring break last year.  The coaches care about me not only as an athlete, but also as the person I am.  I can't wait to get there next Spring and compete with that program.

The state championship was great and committing to Clemson was huge, but maybe the biggest W on the National Stage (and quite honestly one of the Biggest Upsest in the Gatorade Voting) was her taking home the honors as Minnesota's Gatorade Volleyball Player of the Year.  Quite an honor, in a volleyball state, to ever win it as Jr., but this year, with all of the high-end talent in that state, it is even more of a compliment that did not go unnoticed by the standout setter.  "To say I was surprised is an understatement for sure.  Just to be in the conversation for Gatorade Player of the Year this season.  I knew there were amazing Seniors ahead of me, like Rayna Christianson (Creighton), Madi Kraft (Minnesota), and Sidney Burley (Kentucky).  Plus a couple of great Juniors, Ellery DeBoer (Michigan State) and Cora Bicknese (Michigan State).  So, yes, with that list, I felt blessed and thankful to be named the award winner.  I immediately felt so grateful for all the coaches and teammates who got me to this point, pushing me every day to be better than I was the day before.

Kaelyn heads to a Clemson program that is trying to build momentum through the portal and recruiting class and turn around a tradition of losing in the ACC and get into the top half of a suddenly nationally competitive conference that has multiple schools vying for a Natty every season and multiple teams advancing to the 2nd week of the tourney.  It takes grinders and winners like her who don't need "the spotlight" but know how to win to make a difference.  The Tiger staff hopes she can help pull off a few more "upsets" when she gets to South Carolina next Spring.