Getting a chance to line up the on the same field as her dream team, Mercedey, who goes by Sadie, was determined to go to Minneapolis and wear maroon and gold. This June, her hard work came to fruition as both her and her younger sister, Khyah, a freshman, committed to the Gophers for soccer.

“Ever since I was a ball girl there, I’ve always wanted to go there and play for my home state,” Sadie said. "Playing there with my sister makes it even more rewarding."

The duo helped the Vikings reach their first state tournament in program history as a No. 6 seed last year, but their ascent wasn’t without its hurdles.