The Future is Shining at State: 8th, 9th, and 10th Grade Stars
As we are witnessing the close of some incredible prep careers among the class of 2019, it is very exciting to know that the future of Minnesota prep volleyball will be in good hands as many athletes representing the classes…
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Continue ReadingAs we are witnessing the close of some incredible prep careers among the class of 2019, it is very exciting to know that the future of Minnesota prep volleyball will be in good hands as many athletes representing the classes of 2021, 2022, and 2023 have earned some great minutes so far at the Xcel Energy Center. Here are a few athletes making some big contributions in the early half of their high school careers.
Class of 2021
Karsee Kampsen – Setter | Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa
Kampsen is a competitor and provides great stability for her squad from the setting position. She has great relationships with her hitters that allows them to vary their attack points and score whether on a perfect pass our out of system. She balances her offensive leadership by providing good defense both front and back row. BBE has had a great season largely due to Kampsen-type efforts such as the 37 assists and two service aces she provided in their 3-0 quarterfinal win, followed by the 49 assists she dished out in the semifinals, leap frogging her over the 2,000 set mark for her young prep career.
Ava Moes – Right Side | Lakeville South
If you have not seen this kid hammer the ball yet, make sure you get her on your radar. One of the best right side hitters in the state, in any grade, she is a big reason why the Cougars are here and advanced to the semifinals. She seemed to blossom even more as the season progressed and is playing at a high level this weekend. Leading her team on Thursday in the quarterfinals, she hit .407 with 15 kills and added four total blocks.
Paige Sheehan – Setter | North Branch
With 54 assists in their thrilling five-set quarterfinal win on Thursday, Sheehan made the right decisions late in the match when they mattered most to help the Vikings prevail. North Branch relies heavily on a primary arm to take a lot of attempts and score a lot of points and Sheehan did a great job of helping her attack in rhythm and with space to get good aggressive swings. With that duo set to return in tact next season, along with a couple other key teammates, North Branch could be here once again.
Mya Suess – Middle Hitter | Kasson-Mantorville
The name may sound familiar but the game is not the same. Mya Suess has begun to establish her own legacy for the KoMets following on the footsteps of a phenomenal career of her older sister Peyton, a 2018 Ms. Baden Volleyball finalist. As a primary middle hitter, the younger Suess is proving very adept at contributing on both sides of the ball. She has great vision and footwork blocking along the net and with good spacing and timing can terminate the ball with great range and that Suess heat we are accustomed to seeing from her sister. If you need proof, look at her quarterfinal match numbers. As the KoMets easily earned their opening match win, Suess tallied up seven kills on a whopping .636 attack efficiency that included zero errors. She also added five blocks in the win. It is safe to say that K-M opponents have to be very frustrated that the Suess-train will continue to roll for yet another couple of years.
Paige Thibault – Outside Hitter | Watertown-Mayer
Totaled 20 kills and 22 digs in a tough five-set quarterfinal loss to North Branch. She plays bigger than her 5’7 frame as she is athletic and jumps well. A six-rotation athlete for the Royals she can deliver in a variety of ways. She will be a key element for Watertown-Mayer when they enter the 2019 season.
Jasmine Weidemann – Setter | Lakeville South
Another high-level competitor among this sophomore class, Weidemann has been the core floor general all season long for one of the best teams in the state and through a grueling competitive schedule. She has 68 assists and 14 digs over two matches in the state tournament with one more match to play on Saturday.
Class of 2022
Maddie Converse – Setter | Kasson-Mantorville
We have highlighted Converse a few times and rightfully so. She is good. The KoMets seem to have great synergy around their young setter given she was advanced to a primary role unexpectedly just before the season started. She plays like a veteran in what she offers her team in running their potent offense, but at the same time they take care of her with great support, confidence building, and in flat out terminating the ball. As she gains even more experience and gets stronger she will undoubtedly be the catalyst that keeps Kasson-Mantorville as one to beat for the next few years.
Natalee Rolbiecki – Middle/Outside Hitter | Minneota
The Vikings will lose one of the best athletes of the current senior class following Saturday’s title match. However, they will return one of the best athletes that all season has helped keep Minneota as one of the favorites since last year’s state championship match appearance. In fact, as an 8th grader in 2017, Rolbiecki was an all-state tournament selection following the Vikings runner-up effort. That experience sets her apart from many athletes in the tournament, not just those that might be considered young regarding grade level. She has great athleticism and versatility to be able to play any position across the net. Her ability to score and defend provides some of that critical depth needed when get to the advanced stages of the post-season.
Class of 2023
Kate Thibault – Libero | Watertown-Mayer
Just an 8th grader, Thibault plays with great confidence and poise, which has been instrumental for the Royals as the 10th-ranked team in class AA. In a tough five-set loss in the quarterfinals she patrolled and controlled the back row in piling up 38 digs for the match. She has great court presence and instincts that allow her to make tough plays look easy.