Way Too Early 2019 Rankings: Class AA

We can't get enough volleyball around here and certainly it is not too early to start talking about next season. Wink. Wink. A handful of high school teams will enter the 2019 with experienced rosters while others will rely more upon rising athletes. The beginning of the fall prep season is always fun to see how rosters shape up and the added development and experience athletes are bringing forward from their club seasons. As the state tournament featured a few teams that will be among the favorites again at the start of 2019, there are also a few teams that fell short of state that will definitely be in the mix. Here we go with some way too early rankings for 2019 and five teams to consider once the season rolls around: #1 North Branch Vikings The champs will return a number of key elements, three of which were named to the all-tournament team during their 2018 title run. Cianna Selbitschka (OH | 2020) nearly single-handedly dismantled three straight opponents in leading the Vikings through a remarkable run. All three of their matches went five sets and North Branch prevailed with a great display of composure and competitiveness late in each match. Much of that came off of the arm of Selbitschka, a frontrunner for Ms. Baden Volleyball 2019, as she took a lot of swings from all over the floor. The crazy thing is that she did so without seeming to fatigue. It was as if each opportunity fueled her to swing smarter and harder to help carry her team forward. Another key returning player is setter Paige Sheehan (S | 2021). She showed great leadership and maturity in distributing the ball where it needed to go at the right time. In the first two matches at state it was Selbitschka taking late-match swings. During the finals, she utilized other hitters during the crucial late points that proved too much of a challenge for their opponent to defend. The North Branch libero is Kylie Kline (Lib | 2020) and she is a stabilizer. She reads the floor well and gets touches on a lot of balls to create opportunities for the Vikings' offense. In addition to those three athletes, all named to the state all-tournament team, North Branch will return the contributions from two other capable scorers in Haley Hadrava (RS | 2020) and Reagan Irons (MH | 2021). Having advanced to the state championship match in 2017 and returning to claim it all in 2018, the Vikings take the top spot in these way too early rankings with the monkey off their backs and knowing that several key pieces will be back looking to make it two in a row next fall. #2 Stewartville The Tigers may be picked the top team by multiple sources heading into 2019 on the simple fact that they are loaded. Having spent most of 2018 ranked either #1 or #2 they faced the tall order of taking on top-ranked Kasson-Mantorville in the section semifinals limiting the opportunity for those two teams to both compete for a state title on the final weekend. Stewartville had all the tools to win it had they advanced to the final weekend as evidenced in their success throughout the season in competing against several of the best programs from any classification. They will enter 2019 with perhaps the state's top athlete from the class of 2021, Erin Lamb (MB/OH | 2021). She has so much athleticism and versatility to her game that makes her so difficult to slow down. A basketball star as well, Lamb will be a huge factor for the Tigers and what should be a legitimate run towards the title next fall. Her counterpart in the middle is Jolie Stecher (MH | 2021), also just a sophomore and with great athleticism herself. Giving her more opportunities offensively will be something the Tigers should focus on so as to free up the pressure upon Lamb and their returning leader on the outside, Kaitlyn Prondzinski (OH | 2020). Prondzinski, an Illinois State commit, has all the tools to introduce her to the discussion when it comes time to talk about the best attackers in next year's senior class. A critical fourth piece to the Tigers' roster is Jaidyn Brower (S | 2021). She has developed into one of the most reliable and consistent floor leaders and if she can develop the same amount of trust in one or two more hitters as she has in Lamb and Prondzinski then Stewartville will be extremely tough to beat. #3 Marshall This year's class AA runner-up was oh so close. They came on strong in the post season and found themselves in a position to bring it home on the final day of the season losing out after a grueling five-setter. The Tigers return the bulk of their starters that will enter the fall with a ton of experience as this program is not one to shy away from playing great competition regardless of the classification. Their 2018 schedule featured many matches against some of the most highly regarding programs across the state. Bria Morris (OH | 2020) will lead Marshall as they usher in the next fall season. She has developed into a trusty point scoring pin hitter. Marshall will be looking to fill her counterpart that will be gone due to graduation. Their program has such a great tradition of success that we can bet they have very capable replacements looking for their opportunities. The middle position is also very reliable and productive with the tandem of Paige Andries (MH | 2020) and the versatile Jordyn Hilgemann (MH | 2021). As the season progressed these two continued to earn more and more chances off the hands of the Tigers' setting duo of Logan Sherman (S/RS | 2020) and Rachel Schwarz (S | 2020). Mia Schnaible (Lib | 2020) was one of my favorite liberos of the season with great patience and instincts in both serve receive and on defense. She will again be a key catalyst towards Marshall's success. At the conclusion of the state tournament the trio of Morris, Andries, and Schnaible were all named all-tournament for their individual efforts. Marshall will enter the 2019 season with a target on their backs given their 2018 success and because they have such a deep and experienced pool of athletes coming back. #4 Park Rapids Area A junior-heavy team in 2018, the Panthers return the majority of their roster that made it to the final eight in class AA. A four-set loss to Marshall in the opening round leaves them hungry for a return in 2019. Their core hitters include Kamree Carlson (OH | 2020), Rilee Michaelson (MH | 2020), and Kayleah Breitweser (MH | 2020). They also return setter Katelyn Weaver (S | 2020) and libero Kora Just (Lib | 2020). The Panthers consistently battled against a tough schedule featuring some of the best teams outside of the cities, which ultimately earned them their first trip to the state tournament. It will be no surprise if Park Rapids, on the backs of the wealth of experience they will be bring back in 2019, make it back to state and win a match or two in their second go at it. #5 Kasson-Mantorville Graduating is one of the state's premier and most feared athletes, however she departs a program that will continue to be among the state's best given their roster depth and program tradition of consistency as one of class AA's best year in and year out. With a year under her belt at the setting role Maddie Converse (S | 2022) will be that much better. As she led the KoMets in 2018 to a #1 ranking and seeding into the state tournament she now knows what it takes and feels like to compete at the highest level within the extremely competitive Minnesota high school volleyball landscape. She matured in 2018 and will continue to do so heading into fall with needs understood regarding more balance in their offense due to the glaring loss they will feel early on. Emilee Terry (OH | 2020) is an athletic and productive attacker that can score from multiple locations. Her work load will naturally increase as the returning veteran with the most experience and production. She is capable but will be at her best if the KoMets can get her some consistent support. One place they will find that right away is in Mya Suess (MH | 2021). Like their young setter, Suess grew up a lot over the course of the season, finding her opportunities offensively while developing into a terrific defender at the net. Kasson-Mantorville may be reloading a bit but they are so well coached and have such great tradition and culture that it is tough not to consider them among the favorites. They will be fun to follow as they enter the 2019 season. Others to Consider & Some Key Returners Watertown-Mayer Paige Thibault (OH | 2021) Kate Thibault (Lib | 2023) Faith Unglaub (OH | 2020) Kailey Olson (MH | 2020) Concordia Academy-Roseville Kyra Fallert (OH | 2021) Shaina Zinter (MH | 2022) Brooke Weichbrodt (S | 2021) Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta Lexi Pew (MH | 2020) LaRae Kram (S | 2021) Kenzie Hockel (OH | 2020) Sophia Carlsen (MH | 2021) Academy of Holy Angels Lauren Jasper (OH | 2020) Lauren Link (OH | 2020) Julia Mitchell (MH | 2020)