Way Too Early 2019 Rankings: Class A

What an exciting close to the 2018 season in class A. Minneota sustained a long tenure as the top-ranked team and closed it out with a convincing win in the finals, helping them to recover from the heartbreak of losing in the finals just one year prior. Graduating from Minneota is a key group of seniors, including one of the state's most impactful athletes from the class of 2019, which creates some room for other teams to close the gap on a program that had a dominant season. Below are some early rankings for class A, including profiles of some of the teams that will enter as early favorites for the crown on the final weekend. #1 Mayer Lutheran The 2016 and 2017 champs advanced to the state tournament once again this year only to be upended in the quarterfinals by the eventual runner-up. Their 2018 campaign opened to a rough start as the Crusaders were adjusting to some new additions to the team, including some young freshmen. They hit their stride through the latter part of the season with some great wins and suddenly found themselves firmly in the mix to advance through the section playoffs. Losing just one senior heading towards the 2019 fall season, Mayer Lutheran is a definite favorite to reclaim what was theirs the previous two seasons, a class A state title. They are led by a lethal duo in the athletic and high flying Olivia Tjernagel (MH | 2020) and the hard hitting Claudia Stahlke (MH | 2020). Both All-State 1st team selections this year, they can attack from any position across the net and provide some deft defense in slowing down opposing hitters. Reagan Sauter (OH | 2020) and Riley Corrigan (S | 2020) are terrific role players as a capable third attacker and distributor, respectively. The two athletes that made the biggest gains for the Crusaders are freshmen and were called upon early in their careers to play significant roles for this traditional prep power of a program. Lilly Wachholz (OH | 2022) is a 6'1 pin attacker while Emma Lade (S | 2022) was the other half of the Crusaders' setting tandem. Both provided some great contributions and will be instrumental to Mayer Lutheran's success for several years to come. Defensively, the Crusaders were led by Morgan Chmielewski (Lib | 2021), another member of the state's deep and very skilled sophomore class. Tjernagel will continue to garner a lot of attention, and rightfully so as she is a Northern Iowa commit and a likely finalist for Ms. Baden Volleyball next season. The upside for the Crusaders is that their younger athletes now have the experience needed to enter into a season fully prepared and understanding expectations. They will undoubtedly be a heavy favorite once we arrive at the next high school season. #2 Medford The Tigers' 2018 season may have resulted in an unexpected run to the state finals but even greater than that, their success put Medford volleyball on the map and among the conversation of class A favorites looking towards 2019. Relying heavily upon non-seniors throughout the 2018 campaign, Medford earned the right to feel confident and have high expectations leading into the next fall season. Entering the state tournament unranked was exactly what they needed so they could arrive and just compete. That resulted in a quarterfinal win over highly touted Mayer Lutheran, followed by a big semifinal win over the #3 seed in Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa in four sets. Although the final match was lopsided in the outcome against heavily favored Minneota, the Tigers wrapped up the season understanding full well how talented and capable they are competing among the best. Their go-to attacker is Emma Kniefel (OH | 2020), an all-state tournament selection after finishing the three-day championship event with a total of 52 kills and 28 digs. The other rock for the Tigers has been libero Kiley Nihart (Lib | 2020) as she is such an impactful teammate patrolling and leading from the back row. She collected a total of 50 digs over three state tournament matches and also earned all-tournament honors. The third element of this strong returning junior class is Morgan Langeslag (S | 2020), the Tigers' setter. She will bring back great leadership and experience towards creating an even more balanced attack in 2019. Several other key contributors will also return including middle and state all-tournament selection Kinsey Cronin (MH | 2021), Izzy Reuvers (DS/OH | 2020), and Clara Kniefel (OH | 2022). Medford will be entering unchartered territory as a team many will be talking about among top tier class A programs entering the 2019 season. With the confidence and competitiveness they displayed throughout the playoffs this season, they should be ready to make another deep and successful run. #3 Mabel-Canton The Cougars' 2018 season ended one match shy of reaching the state tournament thanks to the Medford Tigers. They return a core group of athletes that will be hungry for another shot to get through Section 1A, arguably the toughest section in class A. Kenidi McCabe (S | 2021) is a 1st team All-State selection and is set to return for her junior campaign. She will be joined by a host of attackers in Jordyn Newgard (OH | 2021), Sarina Stortz (MH | 2020), Avery Davis (MH | 2020), and Payton Danielson (OH | 2020). All four can score points and together create a balanced offensive attack for the Cougars that will be tough to defend. Defensively, M-C will bring back a pair of athletes that provide great support on that side of the ball in Kaylor Soiney (DS | 2021) and Lauren Wyffels (S/DS | 2021). M-C is a program that has a rich history of competitive success and they are due for a return to the state tournament. Any time a program of this caliber and tradition has this much experience returning, they definitely should be part of the conversation of contenders. Look for the Cougars to get over that section finals barrier and crack the top-eight advancing to the final weekend. #4 Minneota The 2018 state champs had one of the most dominant seasons of any team across all classifications. At 33-1, they marched through the state tournament dropping only one set, while only two additional sets saw their opponents reach 20 points or more. This dominance was largely due to the leadership and play of a key graduating senior, also a Ms. Baden Volleyball finalist, so the Vikings will be looking for some answers to fill her shoes. Returning is state all-tournament honoree Natalee Rolbiecki (MH | 2022). Although a freshman, she has a couple years of experience as a key member of Minneota's recent success, which also includes a state championship match appearance in 2017. She is athletic and versatile and represents the high standard of competitiveness that Minneota is known for. Morgan Hennen (OH | 2020) will assume more responsibility on the offensive side and has shown her value to the Vikings in her ability to terminate. Abby Hennen (DS | 2021), another state all-tournament selection, will once again anchor the defense. Her skill and court awareness make her a dynamic contributor both in serve receive and defensively by tracking down a lot of balls. As the trio of departing seniors represent some big personnel losses for the Vikings, their program depth and coaching will have them prepared very well for 2019. Looking to assume setting duties are Madison Sorensen (S | 2020) and McKenna Yost (S | 2022). Offensively, Rachel Vlaminck (MH | 2020), Ali DeVlaeminck (OH | 2020), and Abby Frie (MH | 2022) should see more opportunities immediately. Minneota competes and we can count on them to carry that forward into the 2019 season. #5 Carlton A 2018 state qualifier from Section 7A, the Bulldogs had no seniors on their roster that finished the season at 29-4. Their offensive arsenal includes pin attackers Abigail Mickel (OH | 2020), Taylor Nelson (OH | 2020), and Mariah Dodson (OH | 2020). In the middle, Alaina Bennett (MH | 2020) and Ava Grondahl (MH | 2020) lead the way. The setter is Brynne Mickle (S | 2020). What the Bulldogs lack in height they definitely make up for it with their scrappy defense, relentless pursuit of the ball, and great cohesion as a team. At the state tournament they battled well in the quarterfinal match versus Ada Borup/Norman County West, ultimately falling and sending them to the consolation bracket. They next faced New York Mills winning handily 3-0 and wrapped up their state tournament experience facing a tough Mayer Lutheran squad losing 3-1, ending their season as one of six class A teams to be competing on the final day of the season. Returning the full roster creates great excitement and anticipation for what 2019 could have in store for the Bulldogs, a team full of experience and expectation. It is in the team chemistry though that may be their biggest asset and something we won't see at this level among many teams in class A. We should see them challenge for the 7A section crown and a repeat trip to the state tournament once again. Others to Watch and Key Players Ada Borup/Norman County West Rachel Arends (OH | 2021) Bailee Brommenschenkel (OH | 2020) Kora Kritzberger (MH | 2020) Elle Scherfenberg (MH | 2020) Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa Brittany Berge (OH | 2020) Grace Illies (RS | 2020) Karsee Kampsen (S | 2021) Emily Kern (Lib | 2022) BOLD Mikayla Snow (S | 2020) Ashley Trongard (MH | 2020) Brenna Weis (Lib | 2020) Waterville-Elysian-Morristown Trista Hering (MH | 2020) Alex Heuss (MH | 2022) Toryn Richards (OH | 2021)