Minnesota Peak Performers: Tuesday 9/18 Matches
Tuesday saw some incredible action with top-ranked teams facing off and several matches going the distance. Below are some of the best individual performances on the evening.
Elizabeth Juhnke OH | Lakeville North | 2019
In a battle of two of Minnesota’s most talented teams, Juhnke proved while she is one of the most productive arms in the state by producing 28 kills to lead the Panthers over top-ranked Champlin Park. This was Champlin Park’s first loss on the season. Juhnke, a University of South Dakota commit, also added 12 digs and four block assists.
Piper Asche 6’1 MB | MACCRAY | 2019
With 27 kills, three blocks, and two service aces, Asche led the Wolverines to the five-set Camden Conference victory over Canby. Set scores were 25-15, 24-26, 25-20, 23-25, 15-12. Asche is a returning 2017 all-conference 1st team selection and will play her college volleyball at Augustana.
Mia McGrane OH | Alexandria | 2020 and Kendra Hardy RS | Alexandria | 2019
McGrane and Hardy each contributed 13 kills as Alexandria upended visiting Rocori 3-2 with set scores of 25-21, 25-14, 27-29, 21-25, 15-4. Three combined aces from the pair in the fifth set, including on match point by Hardy, claimed the victory. Alexandria improves to 4-3 on the season.
Carly Wedel 6’1 S | Willmar | 2019 and Sydney Olson 5’11 OH | Willmar | 2019
An impressive state line of 43 assists, 12 digs, seven kills, and four blocks contributed to an equally impressive win as Wedel and her Willmar teammates downed Sartell with a come-from-behind win. Down 0-2, Willmar won three straight sets to improve to 8-3 overall. Set scores were 20-25, 21-25, 25-18, 25-23, 15-13. Olson had a great night offensively benefitting from Wedel’s distribution to finish with 17 kills.
Ashlyn Olson 5’11 RS | New London-Spicer | 2021 and Ashton Engelke OH | NLS | 2019
Just a sophomore, Olson led NLS to the 3-1 win over Eden Valley-Watkins with 17 total kills and eight blocks. Engelke was responsible for 26 digs and eight kills to help NLS improve to 3-9 on the season following their 25-20, 28-30, 25-18, 25-13 victory.
Emma Muller OH | Bemidji | 2019 and Taylor Wade OH | Bemidji | 2020
Muller (15) and Wade (14) combined for 29 kills to lead the Bemidji offense and claim a 3-1 win over Roseau. After dropping a close first set, Bemidji bounced back to earn the 23-25, 25-21, 25-19, 25-22 victory. Muller also added 12 digs for the double-double effort. Bemidji is now 4-4 overall.
Kerstin Knopik MB | Little Falls | 2021
Little Falls defeated Holdingford 3-1 in a Granite Ridge Conference match behind the 18 kills and six blocks from the sophomore Knopik. The Flyers improve to 6-8 on the season with the 25-17, 15-25, 25-22, 25-10 victory.
