West Central Conference Match Alert: Morris vs. BOLD
As the metro area is traditionally loaded with prep talent, for those high school volleyball enthusiasts not located in the greater Minneapolis-St. Paul area there is plenty of skill, athleticism, and competitive drama around the state to take in week…
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Continue ReadingAs the metro area is traditionally loaded with prep talent, for those high school volleyball enthusiasts not located in the greater Minneapolis-St. Paul area there is plenty of skill, athleticism, and competitive drama around the state to take in week to week. Once such collection of teams is the West Central Conference with teams ranging from Morris to Melrose to Olivia to Montevideo. Thursday (9/6) offers a great early season conference match-up as BOLD visits Morris in a contest certain to provide some excitement for both teams and spectators alike.
Morris/Chokio-Alberta has traditionally been one of the best teams in the conference (13-1 in 2017) but are facing some changes and potential challenges after a head coaching switch and the graduation of the conference’s 2017 Most Valuable Hitter and Most Valuable Player. However, returning for her senior season is Riley Decker, the 2017 West Central Conference Most Valuable Defender. She anchors the ball control for the Tigers and is relied upon heavily to provide leadership and stability for a team that is looking to fill some big shoes. Offensively, the Tigers return a key attacker in senior outside hitter Bailey Marty, a 2017 all-conference selection, as she has often led the Tigers in offensive production so far this young season. A pair of juniors in outside hitter Kenzie Hockel and middle Lexi Pew, along with sophomore Sophia Carlsen, have provided steady contributions to help the Tigers get off to a 6-1 start to the 2018 season.
BOLD, a senior laden team with high hopes for a solid post-season run, is among the conference favorites for 2018. However it is a junior in the way of the West Central conference’s 2017 Most Valuable Setter that controls the offense. Makayla Snow is an athletic setter with good size at 5’11 and has the ability to hurt opponents in several facets with her offensive distribution as well as her defensive prowess at the net. She has the luxury of a BOLD offense that features some great fire power in 6’0 outside hitter and Northern State commit Makenna Steffel. Her arm and length allow her to terminate with improved range and she is no doubt determined to compete at a high level after missing much of the 2017 season due to injury. She is complemented well by senior outside hitter Morgan Schmitz creating a duo that can score points in bunches as a result of their experience and growing confidence. Junior middle Ashley Trongard provides stability in the middle while junior libero Brenna Weis is among area’s best at her position.
Thursday’s match takes place at Morris and is sure to be intense and full of highlight action on both sides of the net. A match recap will follow.