Prep Dig Contributors’ Predictions: Class AAA
Fitz and Mike are back at it. Last time we did this Fitz was spot on with his prediction, even down to the set results. This time we make our predictions for Class AAA with quarterfinal matches set to begin…
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Continue ReadingFitz and Mike are back at it. Last time we did this Fitz was spot on with his prediction, even down to the set results. This time we make our predictions for Class AAA with quarterfinal matches set to begin on Thursday. Here’s what we have to say:
Fitz: The seeded teams are tough to pick against. Eagan ‘ last=”]’ last=”] comes in with a loaded roster featuring two big time recruits in Ellie Husemann (MB | 2019), who is heading to Minnesota,and one of the best all-around players in the state in Kennedi Orr (OH/S | 2021). Champlin Park has a roster full of Division I players heading all over the country. The Rebels have the experience and defense to make a deep post-season run as well as Izzy Ashburn (S | 2019) who can dish to anyone on the court. Lakeville South just squeaked by the school on the other side of town in Lakeville North to get to state. The tempo and style of offense they execute so well behind Jasmine Weidemann (S | 2021) and her setting will be tough to stop.
One of the best matchups will be between Shakopee and Stillwater. Stillwater has quite duo of middle blockers in Maddie Whittington (MB | 2020) and Reece Koehler (MB | 2019). If Stillwater can serve receive and pass they will be very dangerous. Whittington is so physical at the net and tough to defend when she attacks off one foot. I think I have to give the Ponies an edge here with the firepower they have in the middle.
The Semifinals:
– Stillwater will be coming off a marathon match against Shakopee and Eagan ‘ last=”]’ last=”] will be chomping at the bit to get back into the championship. Kennedi Orr and the rest of the Eagan ‘ last=”]’ last=”] team knows how to play in big matches. Eagan ‘ last=”]’ last=”] advances to Saturday’s championship.
– Champlin Park has so much depth to practice against as well as players who know how to get it done. There are the obvious big swings in Emma Schmidt (OH | 2019) and Lauren Clark(OH | 2019), but their x-factors might be in their middles of Sami Hilley (MH | 2020) and Hannah Prasky (MH | 2020). With their defense at the net and shot selection I say CP takes this in four sets.
The Finals: Eagan ‘ last=”]’ last=”] vs. Champlin Park
We’ve seen this before and can be expected to be a thriller for the fans. There are multiple athletes who will be wearing Big Ten jerseys In the next few years. I have a hard time picking against Kennedi Orr. Then again, I have a hard time picking against Izzy Ashburn. I’m going to lean towards Champlin Park in five. Libero Kaitlyn Weimerskirch (Lib | 2019) for Champlin Park will need to have a big game, which she is more than capable of digging the big swings of Eagan ‘ last=”]’ last=”]. It will be fun to see how the cards fall. Prediction: Champlin Park
Mike: Anytime you reach the pinnacle event, the state tournament, anything can happen. Fitz summed up the seeded teams very well regarding personnel and what they are capable of, most of the the attention and action surrounding some of the best prep volleyball athletes in the country. But, I’m a sucker for some magic and underdogs and would greatly enjoy seeing a non-seeded team making a breakthrough. Who will that be? That is tough to call. Given the strength of season schedules and experience, the seeded teams are tested and ready to get after it. Moorhead is an extremely balanced team. Shakopee has the tools and are playing great volleyball late in the season. Edina and Lake Forest are here for a reason. They have talent of their own and maybe more importantly, something they don’t have, a target on their backs. Some of the greatest moments in sports are when the underdogs or sleepers overcome odds to take down the powerhouses and defy what is expected. Maybe we will see that this weekend with lower seeds carving their path to top.
The Semifinals:
– I have to agree with Fitz here in that Eagan ‘ last=”]’ last=”] will get by Lake Forest. A 9am match on the biggest stage of the season could be somewhat daunting and Lake Forest could take advantage of an Eagan ‘ last=”]’ last=”] team if the Wildcats do not immediately answer the wake up call. Husemann and Orr will get their numbers but at this time of year teams will need more than a couple answers to the challenge. If teammates Peyton Rude(MH | 2019) and Christine Jurgens (OH | 2020) find success in their opportunities then Eagan ‘ last=”]’ last=”] will be tough to stop in the quarterfinals. I choose the Wildcats to advance, where they will face Shakopee. Stillwatter has their middle hitter tandem among other contributors, but I’m banking on the incredibly inspiring and exciting prep career of Rachel Kilkelly (OH | 2019) to help lead the Sabers to the semis. In a semifinal match pitting Eagan ‘ last=”]’ last=”] against Shakopee, Eagan ‘ last=”]’ last=”] will advance.
– The other side of the bracket provides a bit more room for drama in my mind. Moorhead and Champlin Park meet again in the quarterfinals for the second consecutive season. Champlin Park entered the state tournament last year as the #3 seed while the Spuds were unseeded. Moorhead proceeded to win in a tightly contested five-set match. As the Rebels are no doubt loaded, Moorhead is a steady, business-as-usual type of team that doesn’t play too high or too low. They are a unit that can just grind and impact the outcome of matches in their favor greatly when they can sustain a low-error effort. I’m tempted to take the Spuds for the sake of a great story and the drama that most big events have at some level. Regarding Lakeville South , they are here on a well earned and deserved victory over Lakeville North. They have two absolute hammers on the pins in Jasmine Mulvihill (OH | 2019) and Ava Moes (RS | 2021) that can take over matches. If Nicole Banitt (MB | 2019) can command attention in the middle then gaps will open for the Cougars’ pins to score. With the fuel from the 2017 upset in the quarterfinals under their feet, I feel Champlin Park will advance to face Lakeville South in the semis. However, I’m going to go a different direction than Fitz and take the Cougars in an awesome win over the Rebels to advance to face Eagan ‘ last=”]’ last=”] in the title bout.
The Finals: Eagan ‘ last=”]’ last=”] vs.
Lakeville South
This pair would be a terrific matchup as a Wildcats versus Cougars contest would not be disappointing to say the least. But, I’m going to go with the state’s top-ranked team in Eagan ‘ last=”]’ last=”] to claim their fourth title over the past six years. Prediction: Eagan ‘ last=”]’ last=”]
It is here. The 2018 state volleyball tournament. The first whistle is hours away. Let’s go.