Opening Week Features Quality Matches Across Minnesota

<p>With the competitive high school season set to begin on August 22^nd, the short week presents some quality early-season pairings on Thursday and Friday. High school volleyball is back!</p> <p><strong><u>Thursday – August 22</u></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Mayer Lutheran @ New Prague<br /> </em></strong>The storied Mayer Lutheran program enters 2019 with some key returning talent that is poised to return them to the state tournament once again. High flying <strong>Olivia Tjernagel (2020 | MH | Prep Dig #4)</strong> is coming off of USA Volleyball experience in the offseason and is reunited with <strong>Claudia Stahlke (2020 | MH | Prep Dig #23)</strong> to form one of the state’s most lethal middle tandems across all levels. Helping to anchor the defense is <strong>Morgan Chmielewski (2021 | DS)</strong>. New Prague will look to stay close against the powerhouse Crusaders as they return a trio of Wright County East all-conference selections in <strong>Sophia Andersen (2020 | OH | Prep Dig #13)</strong>, <strong>McKenna Vacek (2020 | L/DS | Prep Dig #27)</strong>, and <strong>Dani Friedges (2020 | OH | Prep Dig #102)</strong>.</p> <p><strong><em>Marshall @ Willmar<br /> </em></strong>This early season match-up will be intriguing as the Marshall Tigers return some heavy offense while the Willmar Cardinals boast some great defense. Marshall will once again be led by the arms of <strong>Logan Sherman (2020 | RS/S | Prep Dig #29)</strong>, <strong>Bria Morris (2020 | OH | Prep Dig #97)</strong> and <strong>Paige Andries (2020 | MH | Prep Dig #71)</strong> and feature a high quality libero in <strong>Mia Schnaible (2020 | Lib | Prep Dig #26)</strong>. Willmar returns three Central Lakes all-conference defenders, led by one of the state’s best in <strong>Abby Stark (2021 | Lib | Prep Dig #11)</strong>. Fellow teammates <strong>Cambrie Parker (2020 | DS)</strong> and <strong>Callie Slagter (2021 | DS)</strong> will help to keep the Tigers’ offense at bay. <strong>Abbie Teisinger (2020 | MH | Prep Dig #72)</strong> returns in the middle for Willmar.</p> <p><strong><u>Friday – August 23</u></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Prior Lake @ East Ridge<br /> </em></strong>East Ridge features a handful of key contributors from 2018. <strong>Lauren Galvin (2020 | OH | Prep Dig #16)</strong> and <strong>Jadyn Garrison (2020 | Lib | Prep Dig #36)</strong> provide ball control stability while <strong>Avery Burger (2020 | MH)</strong> and <strong>Britt Carlson (2022 | OH)</strong> join Galvin as primary attackers. <strong>Camille Libert (2020 | MH | Prep Dig #10)</strong> leads Prior Lake into an early season test for East Ridge. <strong>Dezirae Spratt (2020 | OH)</strong> and <strong>Rachel Ring (2020 | OH)</strong> look to balance Libert in the middle by contributing point scoring from the pin.</p> <p><strong><em>Moorhead vs. North Branch (@ Forest Lake Area High School)<br /> </em></strong>The defending class AA champions open up against Moorhead, a 2018 state qualifier in class AAA. North Branch will once again feature one of the best athletes in Minnesota in <strong>Cianna Selbitschka (2020 | OH | Prep Dig #3)</strong> who carried a heavy load for the Vikings throughout their 2018 title run. Also returning are <strong>Haley Hadrava (2020 | S/RS)</strong>, <strong>Paige Sheehan (2021 | S)</strong>, and <strong>Kylie Kline (2020 | Lib)</strong>. With a great volleyball tradition, Moorhead brings back some key athletes that hope to advance the Spuds deep into the postseason once again. Their roster returns <strong>Claire Howell (2020 | S)</strong>, <strong>Ayana Blythe (2020 | MB)</strong>, <strong>Megan Haugo (2020 | RS)</strong>, <strong>Jalen Ennen (2020 | OH)</strong>, and <strong>Sam Zimmerman (2021 | MH)</strong>.</p>