Wright County East & West: Midseason Top Performers

<p>With just over two weeks remaining in the regular season, things are shaping up for sectionals. As a lot of attention follows the depth of athletes and teams in the metro area, there are several teams around the state that are going about their business, gaining experience, and preparing for the third portion of the season. Playoffs. Among the Wright County East and West league standings there are a handful of teams that are poised to make the final regular season push to prepare them for a competitive section run. Here are a few Wright County teams and their key athletes. </p> <p><strong>WRIGHT COUNTY EAST</strong></p> <p><em><strong>New Prague Trojans</strong></em><br /> Record: 2-0 league/13-5 overall<br /> Key Upcoming Matches: @ Jordan 9/30; @ Hutchinson 10/3<br /> Notes: With heavy hitter in senior outside and 2018 all-conference selection <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="30263" first="Sophia" last="Andersen"]</strong> leading the way, the Trojans will benefit well if they increase the balance in their offensive distribution and production. This would increase pressure upon opposing defenses with more action pin-to-pin. Seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="57543" first="Dani" last="Friedges"]</strong> and <strong>Kate Seymour</strong>, along with juniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="71958" first="Tori" last="Moe"]</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="58041" first="Chessa" last="Devine"]</strong>, are the most capable answers. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="71657" first="McKenna" last="Vacek"]</strong> is the leading defensive contributor from the back row and, along with Friedges, also earned all-conference honors last season. The Trojans started off the season with some great wins over some quality teams and will look to trend that direction as sectionals begin in a few weeks. Thursday’s match at Hutchinson is a great late-season test.</p> <p><em><strong>Hutchinson Tigers</strong></em><br /> Record: 5-1 league/11-7 overall<br /> Key Upcoming Matches: vs. New Prague 10/3; @ Waconia 10/8; @ Watertown-Mayer 10/10<br /> Notes: Senior outside hitter <strong>Emma Olberg</strong> is a returning all-conference selection and gets a lot of opportunities on the pins. She is a steady option as well as a key aspect of the Tigers’ ball control efforts. Sophomore outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="72792" first="Adri" last="Rhoda"]</strong> provides a different look on the pin with her 6’2 frame and athleticism while middles <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="57490" first="Grace" last="Daak"]</strong> and <strong>Morgan Ellis</strong>, both seniors, offer up the quick offense around the setter and a big block across the net. They recently battled class #1 Mayer-Lutheran to a tough 3-2 loss, which is a great measure for them given Mayer-Lutheran’s incredible arsenal. Their upcoming match versus New Prague will also be a great measure and the Tigers may have a slight edge over their league foes given their success at home this season and the Trojans making the trip to Hutchinson later this week.</p> <p><strong>WRIGHT COUNTY WEST</strong></p> <p><em><strong>New London-Spicer Wildcats</strong></em><br /> Record: 2-1 league/17-1 overall<br /> Key Upcoming Matches: vs. Watertown-Mayer 10/1; @ Willmar 10/7<br /> Notes: Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="30738" first="Ashlyn" last="Olson"]</strong> is a returning 2018 all-league selection. The 6’0 right side hitter is the Wildcats’ leader and has been very effective in their effort against a competitive regular season schedule. Their only hiccup came in a recent tournament to a very good Kittson County Central squad. Currently ranked #9 in class AA, the Wildcats have a couple of remaining matches that will serve as great tune-ups for section playoffs. Other key results include an early-season victory over #10 Sauk Centre as well as wins over solid opponents in Eden Valley-Watkins, Rockford, and Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa. Seniors <strong>Sophia Austvold</strong> and <strong>Presley Arndt-Callenius</strong> control the offense in sharing the setting role and Olson gets solid offensive support from a pair of junior outside hitters in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="71970" first="Aleah" last="Zieske"]</strong> and <strong>Kendra Bagley</strong>. Watertown-Mayer vistis the Wildcats this week with a visit to a good class AAA team in Willmar on tap next week.</p> <p><em><strong>Watertown-Mayer Royals</strong></em><br /> Record: 4-1 league/17-5 overall<br /> Key Upcoming Matches: @ New London-Spicer 10/1; vs. Rockford 10/8; vs. Hutchinson 10/10<br /> Notes: Aside from their current trek towards a return trip to the state tournament, one of the most exciting elements of the Royals’ effort is that a corps of sophomores and juniors lead the team in key roles. Junior outside hitter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="10109" first="Paige" last="Thibault"]</strong> is their most productive offensive threat as she leads the team in total kills. Senior middle <strong>Kailey Olson</strong> and sophomore middle <strong>Ashley Olson</strong> contribute well on both sides of the ball in scoring points both attacking and in leading the team in total blocks. The primary setter is sophomore <strong>Natalie Earnhart</strong> with over 500 assists on the season. Freshman libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="73495" first="Kate" last="Thibault"]</strong> leads the Royals in total digs by over 100+ for the season. The Royals are currently ranked #8 in class AA and their upcoming match versus New London-Spicer this week will be one to watch.</p>