Top Defense and Ball Control in Class 3A
Class 3A will see a handful of teams return a good core of their 2019 rosters that should have them competing well into the postseason. Here are four teams that will likely boast some of the best defense and ball…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingClass 3A will see a handful of teams return a good core of their 2019 rosters that should have them competing well into the postseason. Here are four teams that will likely boast some of the best defense and ball control.
Eagan ‘ last=”]’ last=”] Wildcats
Eagan ‘ last=”]’ last=”] again will feature one of the most imposing blocks in the state with the likes of Nebraska-bound and all-everything
Kennedi Orr
Kennedi
Orr
6'0" | S
Eagan | 2021
State
MN
and the sheer athleticism of rising junior
Sienna Ifill
Sienna
Ifill
6'1" | RS
Eagan | 2022
State
#83
Nation
MN
on the right pin. These two get up and over the net fast, not giving hitters a lot of space to swing. Add the physicality and size of their middles in 6’6
Kendal Kemp
Kendal
Kemp
6'6" | MB
Eagan | 2022
State
#84
Nation
MN
and 6’2
Abigail Moe
Abigail
Moe
6'2" | MB
Eagan | 2021
State
MN
closing down hitters and the advantage is often in Eagan ‘ last=”]’ last=”]’s favor. They have good size on the left side as well with a returning tandem in 6’0
Emma Berran
Emma
Berran
6'1" | S
Eagan | 2022
State
MN
and 5’11
Delaney Foerster
Delaney
Foerster
6'0" | OH
Eagan | 2021
State
MN
providing some veteran experience on that side of the court. The Wildcats lost a terrific libero from 2019 to graduation but will fill that role with one of the best in the class of 2022 in
Simara Amador
Simara
Amador
5'7" | DS/L
Eagan | 2022
State
MN
. At 5’5, she has a big presence with her play as she is establishes a balanced base and uses her vision well that helps her capitalize on her quickness. Some of their front row blockers are also skilled and rangy in the back row to help create great court coverage defensively. Eagan ‘ last=”]’ last=”] has been the bar in class 3A for several years and fell just short of another state title following an intense five-set thriller in the championship match in 2019. The sophomore core from that season is a year older and more experienced, which makes this squad the early-season favorite. Don’t be surprised if they are lifting the trophy when all is said and done for the 2020 high school season.
Lakeville North Panthers
Ella Wheatcraft
Ella
Wheatcraft
5'8" | DS/L
Lakeville North | 2021
State
MN
returns for her senior season and should assume the Panthers’ libero role. She is among the best in her class with regard to passing and defense. She has good vision and pursuit and provides great stability in these areas. Her role should supported well by the ball control from fellow rising senior
Madelyn Hornyak
Madelyn
Hornyak
5'11" | OH
Lakeville North | 2021
State
MN
and defensively by setter
Abby Jandro
Abby
Jandro
5'9" | S
Lakeville North | 2022
State
MN
when in the back row. Other athletes that should contribute here are Savannah Polzin and
Chloe Conner
Chloe
Conner
5'6" | DS/L
Lakeville North | 2023
MN
. At the net, this group has the ability to apply a lot of pressure to opposing offenses with the size, athleticism, and physicality of their front row players. Led by the blocking presence of
Abbey Milner
Abbey
Milner
6'3" | MB
Lakeville North | 2021
State
MN
(6’3),
Justine Bastyr
Justine
Bastyr
6'3" | MB
Lakeville North | 2021
State
MN
(6’3), and
Ella Thompson
Ella
Thompson
6'1" | MB
Lakeville North | 2021
State
MN
(6’1). Lakeville North made a nice run through the section tournament to advance to the final weekend in 2019. They have veteran experience, confidence, and ball control that should allow their offense to go to work and give them a shot to get them back to the state tournament once again.
Northfield Raiders
A staple of Northfield volleyball is ball control. For a few years now this program has boasted some of the best range and skill in this area, which has had them highly ranked and competing very well among the very best in the state in recent seasons. If the section and state tournament seeded the best eight teams in Class 3A towards the final weekend, Northfield would certainly have been in that mix in 2019. They will be hungry in 2020 and definitely skilled in their defense and passing, led by the best in the class of 2021 in
Emma Torstenson
Emma
Torstenson
5'11" | DS/L
Northfield | 2021
State
MN
. The Colorado-bound libero has Pac-12 level skills that are so fun to watch. She is supported well by
Rachel Wieber
Rachel
Wieber
6'0" | OH
Northfield | 2021
State
MN
, another veteran and six-rotation athlete that has great vision and movement. At 5’10 respectively,
Laura Wellbrock
Laura
Wellbrock
5'10" | OH
Northfield | 2021
State
MN
and rising sophomore
Sydney Jaynes
Sydney
Jaynes
6'0" | OH
Northfield | 2023
State
#48
Nation
MN
both have good ranged and will provide great passing and defensive depth. At the net, outside hitter
Megan Reilly
Megan
Reilly
6'0" | OH
Northfield | 2021
State
MN
and middle
Sylvia Koenig
Sylvia
Koenig
6'1" | MB
Northfield | 2021
State
MN
can get up and over the net fast when blocking while filling space that should help defenders behind them be successful. This group has great potential for 2020 with great ability to wear down opponents with their defense.
Willmar Cardinals
Willmar has been so close in recent years to getting to the final weekend. This fall 2020 season may be their time as they will certainly be among the best overall squads within their Section 2 assignment. Led by DI level libero
Abby Stark
Abby
Stark
5'7" | DS/L
Willmar | 2021
State
MN
(North Dakota State), the Cardinals have a great leader in the back row. Stark is simple in her contributions and reads the floor very well. Rising senior
Callie Slagter
Callie
Slagter
5'6" | DS/L
Willmar | 2021
State
MN
would be this team’s libero if not for Stark’s presence and brings complementary skills and effectiveness through her few rotations on the floor. DS Ashley Guse should also make some contributions in the back row. In the front row, Willmar has the potential to be a good blocking team given the athleticism and range of their core group. On the pins, both
Bailey Olson
Bailey
Olson
5'10" | OH
Willmar | 2021
State
MN
and Sophia Kobienia can put up a block that has ability to be as effective as their arms on the offensive side. Add the elevation and range of 6’3
Sydney Schnichels
Sydney
Schnichels
6'4" | OH
Wilmar | 2023
State
#19
Nation
MN
and the blocking pressure increases. Middles
Madelyn Gregory
Madelyn
Gregory
5'11" | OH
Willmar | 2021
State
MN
and Mackenzie Knofczynski have good mobility as well to close blocks in either direction and their increased experience from last year to this fall should make a big impact. Willmar is poised to get to the final weekend and should bring top-level passing and defense to the court each match.