Class 1A Teams Returning Big Offense in 2020

Greenway A state tournament qualifier in 2019, Greenway returns one of the most prolific point scorers in class 1A in [player_tooltip player_id="58104" first="Claire" last="Vekich"]. She seemingly can score at will given her athleticism, heavy arm, and ability to attack through any zone across the net. She utilizes good footwork and momentum build to elevate and hammer the ball. The all-state selection will again be Greenway’s first option offensively although a core group of returning attackers will get their share of attempts. Returning offensive options include outside hitters Kaisa Reed and [player_tooltip player_id="100712" first="Bri" last="Miller"], along with middle Emma Sutherland. Setter [player_tooltip player_id="100700" first="Lexi" last="Hammer"] also returns as the key catalyst to this team’s offensive production. She is simple her in pursuit of the second contact and has developed good relationships with her attackers to understand where they can be successful regarding attack points. With Vekich on their side, Greenway could make it to the final weekend again in 2020. Mayer Lutheran Although graduating two DI caliber middles and a big part of this team’s offense from 2019, the Crusaders return one of the biggest arms in the state in [player_tooltip player_id="31616" first="Lilly" last="Wachholz"]. The 6’2 pin attacker has made big gains in her offensive production regarding her mobility and movement patterns to score through a broad range of offensive options from pin to pin as showcased in 2019. She combines the power with a high contact point that makes her very difficult to slow down. Also returning with improved skills and offensive range is [player_tooltip player_id="73497" first="Gabby" last="Wachholz"]. The lefty outside has developed good torque and arm control that allows her to swing with pace and movement. She may be consider undersized as an outside hitter but she maximizes her skills and athleticism well. Running the offense once again will be Emma Lade. She showed great confidence and distribution of a varied attack throughout her sophomore season. Her ability to idenfity additional depth offensively will be key for this team in replacing the point scoring they lost following last year. [player_tooltip player_id="72048" first="Morgan" last="Chmielewski"] is the libero and provides great stability with her ball control that will be a big factor in getting the middle involved. This program is a tradition rich and develops talent well. Count on them to be in the mix in 2020. Minneota The defending state champions return a lot from 2019, including some of the best point scorers in class 1A. [player_tooltip player_id="72762" first="Natalee" last="Rolbiecki"] is their veteran leader who contributes in a variety of ways around the floor. Rising senior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id="72033" first="Abby" last="Hennen"] is also very relaible on the left pin. This tandem is skilled and smart while assuming the most opportunities in this team’s offense. In last year’s state title match they took a combined total of 84 of the team’s 150 swings while notching 14 and 15 kills respectively. Minneota has two solid options returning in the middle as well in [player_tooltip player_id="72787" first="Abby" last="Frie"] and [player_tooltip player_id="84914" first="Abby" last="Rost"], both of whom can score to help spread the distribution and apply a lot of pressure to the opposing defense. Two setters in [player_tooltip player_id="72811" first="McKenna" last="Yost"] and [player_tooltip player_id="73494" first="Ireland" last="Stassen"] return and should continue to share time running the show. Both are capable of directing this potent offense, of which often starts with the reliable ball control of libero [player_tooltip player_id="72055" first="Ellie" last="Pesch"]. As Minneota has the talent, teamwork, and experience to compete well with any team regardless of classification, they will be very difficult to beat in class 1A alone, making them the early season favorite to repeat as state champions once again. Waterville-Elysian-Morristown The state runner-up from 2019 returns one of the best outside hitter tandems in class 1A. Rising seniors [player_tooltip player_id="71956" first="Toryn" last="Richards"] and [player_tooltip player_id="72080" first="Kylie" last="Pittman"] scored a lot of points for WEM while also contributing with their ball control and defense. At 5’10, Richards is an athlete. She elevates well and can put a lot of pace on the ball with her arm through a variety of tempos and attack points. Pittman is athletic in her own right and can move the ball around with good arm control. As WEM is set to fill the shoes of two solid middles they lost to graduation, look for 6’2 Lily Grohman and 5’11 opposite Alex Heuss to assume some of that offensive opportunity. [player_tooltip player_id="72056" first="Ellie" last="Ready"] is the setter and is a reliable floor leader and distributor given the variety of offense they executed in 2019. WEM should challenge well for a return to the state tournament but must get through teams like Mayer Lutheran in the section tournament.