Postseason play is right around the corner. With sections set to start in less than two weeks, PrepDig is breaking down each section with teams and players to watch. Section 3A has two legitimate top-five teams, three more top-10ish squads…
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Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log inPostseason play is right around the corner. With sections set to start in less than two weeks, PrepDig is breaking down each section with teams and players to watch.
Section 3A has two legitimate top-five teams, three more top-10ish squads and six in the top 11 of the QRF via Minnesota-Scores which makes up what could be the best section in Class A.
The Favorite: Tracy-Milroy-Balaton
The Panthers have come out of Section 3 each of the last three years and should be considered the favorite at this point to do it again. TMB sports wins over Kasson-Mantorville and just about every other contending outfit in the section. Sydney Lanoue is the Panthers top player and go-to striker but Evelyn Dolan, Samantha Edwards and Sydney Karbo can all cause headaches up front too. Cassidy Smith distributes the ball to a bevy of hitters and Kaylee Kirk is an ace in their back row. TMB lost to Mayer Lutheran in the Class A Showcase Tournament championship and has been on the doorstep of the state title match each of the last two years. If someone is going to take down Mayer Lutheran – assuming the Crusaders get there – this bunch has as good a shot to do it as any.
Next Up: Minneota
the Vikings are currently ranked No. 3 in the Class A coaches poll and might be a heavy favorite to get to state in practically any other section. But they’ll have their work cut out if they are going to advance deep into section play because of the depth and top-end competition. With just four losses on the year – all to teams currently ranked – the Vikings will go into postseason play with plenty of high-leverage preparation. A young but experienced squad, Minneota has no shortage of talent. Lydia Sussner is one of the top middle hitters in southern Minnesota, Morgan Kockelman is a talented setter and even underclassmen like Abby Hennen and Natalee Rolbiecki have been very good.
In the Hunt: Wabasso, MACCRAY, Windom, Canby
Wabasso and MACCRAY will battle it out for the Nos. 3 and 4 seeds in the north subsection and both teams have enjoyed outstanding seasons to this point. The Wolverines have just five losses on the year – to Minneota, TMB, Mayer Lutheran, Canby and Wabasso – and a handful of very good wins including over Hayfield, Wabasso, Mabel-Canton and Windom. Piper Asche is an imposing figure in the middle of the floor. She and senior setter Sydney Schwitters are players to watch.
The Rabbits will finish with more than 20 wins again and had a strong showing in the Class A Showcase tournament – three wins and losses to TMB and Hayfield. Maddy Guetter is an outside hitter to watch, as is senior Gina Goblirsch.
Windom will finish with more than 20 wins on the season and every one of its seven losses have come at the hands of top-shelf competition. The Eagles lost 3-1 to TMB, 3-1 to Marshall and 2-1 to MACCRAY while going 2-3 in the Class A Showcase Tournament. Porsha Porath is one of the best outside hitters in the state and she’ll have to be dominant if the Eagles want to go on any sort of extended postseason run. She’s certainly capable.
Canby started the year with 13 straight wins but is 7-7 since the Class A Showcase Tournament. That does include wins over Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, Windom and Becker. The Lancers played Jordan tough last weekend in the Sauk Rapids-Rice tournament as well. Abbey Pederson is one of the top setters in the state.
**Photo Credit: Aaron Hagen/Daily Globe**
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