Postseason Begins this Week: 2A Section Preview

The road to the state tournament begins this week. Several teams have high hopes for a successful march through section playoffs and an opportunity to be among Minnesota's elite November 8-10 at the Xcel Energy Center. In class 2A the state's two top-ranked teams recently squared off in what just may be a preview of an upcoming Section 1 semifinal rematch with state title hopes looming in the distance. A handful of other teams have their sights on the top prize and will certainly provide some exciting highlights along the way. Section 1 One week ago top-ranked Kasson-Mantorville defeated then top-ranked and current #2 Stewartville 3-1 on the KoMets home floor. It was a showcase match of two perennial programs that boast some of the most dynamic athletes at any level. Kasson-Mantorville (25-2) is led by Peyton Suess (OH |2019), a do-it-all type of player that can carry her team if needed. As a battle-tested schedule has prepared them well for a long postseason run, Suess has plenty of support around her. Emillee Terry (OH | 2020), McKenzie Evans (MH | 2019), and Mya Suess (MH | 2021) provide additional scoring, but it is the freshman, Maddie Converse (S | 2022) that has created a lot of buzz for her veteran-like play in distributing the ball. The KoMets are the W#1 seed and will face Rochester Lourdes in their first match on Thursday. Stewartville relies on a corps of young athletes but may have helped their cause with a slew of late-season matches against some of Minnesota's best teams from across all levels. Playing in back-to-back weekend events and finishing among top-ranked 3A teams, in addition to enduring an electric Kasson-Mantorville home environment, the Tigers are ready. Erin Lamb (MH | 2021) continues to establish herself as one of the most exciting athletes of her class with her length, quickness, and versatility. She can score in bunches as well as disrupt opponents frequently at the net. Her counterpart, Jolie Stecher (MH | 2021) has great athleticism of her own and can provide good balance among Stewartville's primary arms. On the pin is Kaitlyn Prondzinski (OH | 2020), a six-rotation threat who can elevate and score in a number of ways. Another young setter leads another top team as Jaidyn Brower (S | 2021) provides a steady element that will be important for Stewartville to compete consistently at the highest level throughout the tournament. The Tigers face Pine Island on Thursday. Lake City (16-9) is the East #1 seed and is led by Grace Bany (MH | 2021) and Delaney Issendorf (OH | 2020). They take on La Cresent in their first round match on Thursday as well. Section 2 Belle Plaine, the state's #7 2A team, is the top seed in Section 2 and will face Holy Family Catholic (6-20) in their first match on Thursday. They are led by offensively by Morgan Kruger (OH | 2020) and Mikayla Coops (RS | 2020). Paige Narveson (S | 2019) and Sarah Lenz (Lib | 2021) contribute well with their defense and Narveson in controlling the offense. A second-round match versus Southwest Christian is likely, which would be a rematch of an early season win for Belle Plaine. For Southwest Christian (15-11), McKenzie Close (MH | 2020), Nicole Niebuhr (S | 2019), and Brenna Krommendyk (MH | 2019) look to lead the Stars past their Minnesota River Conference foes. However, they must first get through Jordan on Thursday. Another contender is Norwood Young American (19-8) led offensively by Sadie Erickson (MB | 2-019) and defensively by Frankie MacKenthun (Lib | 2020). NYA, the North #2 seed, plays against Sibley East (12-17) in their first match on Thursday. Kenyon-Wanamingo is the South #1 seed and currently ranked #8 in 2A with a 21-7 record. They earned a first-round bye and will take on the winner between Fairmont (6-18) and Waseca (9-7) next Tuesday. They are led by Ally Peterson (OH | 2020) and Julianna Boyum (MH | 2020), both returning all-conference selections from 2017. The defense is led by Kasandra Keller (Lib | 2019). Section 3 Section three will certainly be competitive as South #1 seed Marshall (2A #4) and North #1 seed Paynesville will have to get through some tough opponents in order for their seeds to hold true towards the section finals. Marshall has a talented and tested group with great upside if they can establish offensive balance. On the outside it is the pair of Bria Morris (OH | 2020) and Erica Jones (OH | 2019) that do the heavy lifting but are more productive if Paige Andries (MH | 2020) and Jordyn Hilgemann (MH | 2021) are involved offensively. Mia Schnaible (Lib | 2020) is reliable with her ball control to help keep the Tigers in system. They open up postseason play against Worthington on Thursday. Paynesville has a first-round bye and will face the winner of Litchfield and New London-Spicer next Tuesday. The Bulldogs also have a pair of outside hitters that can score in bunches. Abby Shaefer (OH | 2020) and Skylar Bayer (OH | 2019) are primary offensive weapons and are supported well by Olivia Riley (Lib | 2019), a 2017 all-conference selection, on the defensive side. Other Section 3 threats include Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta (North #2), a streaky team at 16-7 overall, they have the tools and tradition to win. They are led by one of the best liberos outside of the metro area in Riley Decker (Lib | 2019). The Tigers' first opponent is Minnewaska Area. Jackson County Central (19-8) also has their sights on a deep postseason run and are led by Alaina Wolff (OH | 2020). They open up Thursday against St. James. Section 4 The top two seeded teams are 2A #3 Concordia Academy and 2A #6 Academy of Holy Angels. At 24-3, Concordia Academy boasts a solid core of athletes including sophomores Kira Fallert (OH | 2021) and Brooke Weichbrodt (S | 2021) and the senior tandem of Taylor Brunn (Lib | 2019) and Naomi Bunker (MH | 2019). The Beacons have a first-round bye and will take on the winner between St. Paul Johnson and St. Paul Harding next Tuesday. The Stars of the Academy of Holy Angels are 22-4 overall and are led by the trio of Marie LaFrance (OH | 2019), Lauren Link (OH | 2020), and Julie Mitchell (OH | 2020). They also have a first-round bye and will face the winner of the match between St. Agnes and Minnehaha Academy next Tuesday. Other Ranked Teams #5 North Branch - At 22-4, the Vikings are a top seed in Section 7 and will take on Mora on Wednesday. Cianna Selbitschka (OH | 2020) has been their offensive leader. She was also the Mississippi 8 Conference Defensive Player of the Year from 2017. The setters are a pair of juniors in Paige Sheehan (S | 2020) and Haley Hadrava (S/RS | 2020), while Reagan Irons (MH | 2021) is key in the middle. #9 Sauk Centre - With their first-round opponent in Zimmerman, the Mainstreeters carry a 20-2 record into postseason. They are a scrappy team with the ability to wear teams down with their defense and varied arsenal. This includes the athletic and physical arm of Nicole Kortan (OH | 2019) and her teammates Paige Schwinghamer (RS/MH | 2019) and Tori Peschel (OH | 2020). They are a sleeper with good wins over Watertown-Mayer, BOLD, and Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta and could surprise some folks throughout the tournament. #10 Watertown-Mayer - The Royals are 21-6, the top seed in Section 7, and are set to take on the winner of the Brooklyn Center versus St. Anthony Village match next Tuesday. The Thibault sisters a force with the elder Paige Thibault (OH | 2021) leading the way offensively as Kate Thibault (Lib | 2023), an 8th grader, leads the team defensively. Nikki McDonald (S | 2019), Vanessa Schroeder (MH | 2019), and Janessa Berrios (OH | 2019) are their senior leaders as Kailey Olson (MH | 2020) provides a spark from the middle. There is some exciting action ahead. Good luck to all teams competing!