Team Profile: New Prague Trojans

<p>The New Prague Trojans may not be the first team you think of regarding teams with talent, depth, and a legitimate opportunity for a deep postseason run in Minnesota's class 3A volleyball field. Entering 2019, they are a team that deserves respect and should be on everyone's radar. The 2018 Wright County East conference champions are the 3A preseason #9 ranked team according to the Minnesota Volleyball Coaches Association and are considered among great company in the 'Top 10' given the incredible depth of individual and team talent at the 3A level across the state. </p> <p>In addition to winning their conference, the Trojans' 2018 campaign included earning the #3 seed in a very competitive Section 2AAA bracket in which they fell short to #2 Shakopee in the semifinals. Their season concluded with a 20-10 record overall. </p> <p>As the 2019 season is upon us, New Prague brings back a veteran squad with a collection of highly touted and versatile individuals throughout their roster. In fact, seven of their athletes are currently ranked among the top athletes in the Prep Dig prospect rankings for the classes of 2020 and 2021. They are led by three returning seniors, all of whom earned all-conference honors in 2018. This experience should serve them well, alongside the great club experience these athletes gained in the off-season. Their opening matches for 2019 this past week resulted in two impressive 3-0 victories over Class A power and #3 ranked Mayer Lutheran and Class AA's #4 ranked Belle Plaine. Their schedule immediately gets more challenging with upcoming away matches at Northfield (8/28), St. Michael-Albertville (8/29), and Shakopee (9/3). These contests certainly will serve to test their mettle and the consideration bestowed upon them preseason as a 2019 Class 3A contender.</p> <p>The following is information regarding several of the Trojans' key athletes ranked by Prep Dig and a list of their additional athletes on the roster according to Minnesota State High School League.</p> <p><strong>CLASS OF 2020</strong></p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="30263" first="Sophia" last="Andersen"]</strong></em> - OH | Prep Dig #13 (Committed to Concordia-St. Paul)<br /> 2018 Wright County all-conference, Star Tribune all-metro 3rd team, and 3A MNVBCA all-state honorable mention selection; The undisputed leader for the Trojans, she has all the tools with great ball control and range with her arm offensively as she can score in a variety of ways; She carried a heavy offensive load for the Trojans in 2018 and their success will depend her once again with increased help across the net; This is a great pick-up for DII national powerhouse Concordia-St. Paul.</p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="71657" first="McKenna" last="Vacek"]</strong></em> - L/DS | Prep Dig #26<br /> 2018 Wright County all-conference selection; A defensive gem that brings experience, leadership, and great competitiveness to the court; Provides range and coverage on both sides of the ball offensively and defensively; Holds school records in digs for New Prague; Led the Trojans in service aces in 2018.</p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="57543" first="Dani" last="Friedges"]</strong></em> - OH/RS | Prep Dig #110<br /> 2018 Wright County all-conference selection; A key element for the Trojans offensively as she can effectively terminate from the both pins; She carries forward a lot of experience as a New Prague varsity mainstay in addition to several years of competitive club ball with Northern Lights.</p> <p><strong>CLASS OF 2021</strong></p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="71958" first="Tori" last="Moe"]</strong></em> - RS/S | Prep Dig #37<br /> A versatile athlete, she can distribute the ball and attack from the right side; One half of the Trojans' setting tandem from 2018 and will fulfill that role again this season; Also earned her share of kills at the net behind both Andersen and Friedges; Moe competed for the M1 17-2 team that had a busy club schedule ending with AAU nationals this past summer.</p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="58043" first="Mackenzie" last="Vycital"]</strong></em> - RS | Prep Dig #42<br /> A member of [program_tooltip program_id='428866' first='Vital' last=''] Volleyball's 16-1 Gold team during the 2018-19 club season; Contributed sparingly in 2018 among New Prague's deep arsenal of hitters; Looks to take on more of an offensive role in 2019; At 5'10 she elevates well with reported 25" vertical.</p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="71965" first="Hannah" last="Jensen"]</strong></em> - DS/L | Prep Dig #52<br /> Will continue in a complementary, yet [program_tooltip program_id='428866' first='Vital' last=''], role to libero Vacek in the back row for New Prague; Has great depth of tools; She is an effective contributor in serve receive, with good range defensively, and can put good pressure on opponents from the service line; Competed for a very good Northern Lights 16-2 team during the club season.</p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="72095" first="Lauren" last="Radermacher"]</strong></em> - OH | Prep Dig #82<br /> Also a member of [program_tooltip program_id='428866' first='Vital' last=''] Volleyball's 16-1 Gold team; Provides good depth to the New Prague core of pin hitters; Competed on the beach during the summer as well. </p> <p><strong>ADDITIONAL TEAM MEMBERS</strong></p> <ul> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="58041" first="Chessa" last="Devine"] - 2021 | MH</li> <li>Lexi Fischer - 2020 | DS</li> <li>Haley Friedrich - 2021 | S</li> <li>Amanda Giesen - 2020 | MH</li> <li>Sophia Pexa - 2020 | DS</li> <li>Olivia Schmitz - 2020 | MH</li> <li>Kate Seymour - 2020 | MH</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p>