Minnesota State Tournament: Top Non-Seniors Could Be Back
In this article:
Most of these teams made it all the way to the championship of their respective classes, and they have a lot of youth, so they could very well be back at the Xcel Energy Center again next year. There were so many non-senior players on rosters who gained tremendous experience that will help them lead next season. Many will take hold of opportunities to take on larger roles in order to keep their teams among the upper tier of programs in Minnesota. Here is an analysis of some of the best non-seniors among some of the top teams in Minnesota.
Top Teams Primed For Return
East Ridge – Class AAAA Runner-up
The Raptors will return Setter
Macey Spolidoro
Macey
Spolidoro
5'10" | S
East Ridge | 2024
State
MN
(2024 – 5’11) who did a really solid job leading this team and already has a pretty amazing resume as a sophomore. She will have some stellar swings returning next year including
Hadley Burger
Hadley
Burger
6'0" | RS
East Ridge | 2024
State
MN
(2024 – 5’11 – Right Side Hitter) who is a lefty that takes a big violent swing. Middle Blocker
Kelby Opland
Kelby
Opland
6'0" | MB
East Ridge | 2023
State
MN
(2023 – 6’0) has been a dependable option and could take on a much larger workload in 2022. A lot of pin work will land on
Mikayla McDougall
Mikayla
McDougall
6'0" | OH
East Ridge | 2023
State
MN
(2023 – 6’0 – Outside Hitter) who does a really nice job of working the edges of the court to score. Other regular contributors, including
Giselle Thao
Giselle
Thao
5'1" | DS/L
East Ridge | 2024
State
MN
(2024 – 5’0 – Defensive Specialist) and
Ellenor Crimmins
Ellenor
Crimmins
5'6" | DS/L
East Ridge | 2023
State
MN
(2023 – 5’6 – Libero), saw a lot of court time during important moments and will likely be needed to provide the solid first contact. This squad will have to find balance among hitters since they will be losing a couple of really big arms to graduation.
Kasson-Mantorville – Class AAA Runner-up
Even with four seniors in their playing rotation, the KoMets will return the majority of their squad and might have one of the more veteran teams looking to return to the X. Among those returners, you will find
Aryss McAdams
Aryss
McAdams
5'7" | DS/L
Kasson Mantorville | 2023
State
MN
(2023 – 5’6 – Defensive Specialist), who served a whopping 7 aces in the championship match. She made a huge difference at the service line for them. Pin Hitter
Ellie Ask
Ellie
Ask
5'7" | OH
Kasson-Mantorville | 2024
State
MN
(2024 – 5’7) was also heavily depended on and will bring back a lot of experience in 2022.
Whitney Deno
Whitney
Deno
5'7" | OH
Kasson-Mantorville | 2023
State
MN
(2023 – 5’7 – Pin Hitter) can terminate, as well as skilled in ball control and defense, so she is quite often keeping her team’s offense in- system. Middle
Sophia Sutton
Sophia
Sutton
5'7" | MB
Kasson-Mantorville | 2023
MN
(2023) is energetic and adaptable. At 5’7 she gets off the floor quickly and elevates. She can also score from anywhere on the net and shows great versatility. Other members that should return next season include Defensive Specialist
Jaden Heidt
Jaden
Heidt
5'7" | DS/L
Kasson-Mantorville | 2023
MN
(2023 – 5’7), Pin Hitter
Ella Babcock
Ella
Babcock
5'8" | OH
Kasson-Mantorville | 2023
MN
(2023 – 5’8), and Setter
Abby Distad
Abby
Distad
5'6" | S
Kasson-Mantorville | 2024
State
MN
(2024 – 5’6).
Marshall – Class AAA Champion
Marshall was an experienced group with great success because of their super gritty defense, leadership, and pure competitiveness. The 2022 version of the squad will have some different faces in big roles, but current junior
Leah Jones
Leah
Jones
6'2" | OH
Marshall | 2023
State
MN
(2023 – 6’2 – Outside Hitter) will be one of the Tiger’s top returners.
Brooke Andries
Brooke
Andries
6'0" | RS
Marshall | 2023
State
MN
(2023 – 6’0 – Right Side Hitter) is strong, tough, and adaptable in her ability to score in a range of ways as a lefty. She brings a lot of energy and a heavy lefty swing. Andries and Jones will look for support from returning players who include
Randi Wendorff
Randi
Wendorff
6'0" | MB
Marshall | 2023
State
MN
(2023 – 6’0 – Middle Blocker).
Caitlyn Christenson
Caitlyn
Christenson
5'5" | DS/L
Marshall | 2023
State
MN
(2023 – 5’5 – Defensive Specialist) will look to take on the defensive and ball control duties to continue an incredible tradition at Marshall.
Mayer Lutheran – Class A Champion
The Crusaders have been a team to watch all season and considering their state championship run, the hype was warranted. However, when the 2022 team begins their journey to get back to the X, they will have to rely on the experience of this year to keep them relevant after losing some key pieces to graduation. They do have a potential distributor in Madeline Guetzkow Madeline Guetzkow 6'0" | RS Mayer Lutheran | 2023 State MN (2023 – 5’11 – Right Side Hitter). She’s been the primary 2nd contact if their setter takes the ball, and as a tall lefty with decent hands, I could see her making a pretty smooth transition. The toughest job will be to find the balance and distribute the scoring after graduating their go-to middles. Outside Hitter, Gabby Wachholz Gabby Wachholz 5'8" | OH Mayer Lutheran | 2023 State MN (2023 – 5’8), will continue to be one of the most efficient attackers, and rightfully so, as Wachholz always seems to be available as an offensive option. She makes smooth transitions and has really good vision of the court in front of her. The other Outside Hitter Stella Maass Stella Maass 5'8" | OH Mayer Lutheran | 2023 State MN (2023 – 5’8) will also have to take on a bigger workload next season. Maass provided some really great moments for Mayer Lutheran when she transitioned from defense to bring some heat and power through the opposing blockers. Other returners that may be competing for the Libero position are Avery Studer Avery Studer 5'5" | DS/L Mayer Lutheran | 2024 State MN (2024 – 5’5 – Defensive Specialist) and Julia Maetzold Julia Maetzold 5'5" | DS/L Mayer Lutheran | 2023 State MN (2023 – 5’5 – Defensive Specialist).
5’8 Junior Gabrielle Wacholz is a gritty defender, super athletic and explosive, and has a fast lefty armswing. She has a style of play unique from her older sister and I ❤ it! Total 🧨! @mayerlutheran Crusaders up 19-7 in the 2nd. pic.twitter.com/K9xjh3K4r8
— Breit Nelson (@BreitNelson) November 12, 2021
Sauk Centre – Class AA Champion
The Mainstreeters took the Class AA Championship with an extremely energetic and gifted group, which includes three studs who will return for more in the 2022 season.
Victoria Jennissen
Victoria
Jennissen
6'2" | MB
Sauk Centre | 2025
MN
(2025 – 6’2 – Middle Blocker) was one of the most physical athletes at the X regardless of classification. She is productive on offense and can interrupt opponents planning on attacking. I can’t wait to see how her skill improves over the club season, which would make this team even more dangerous next year.
Cierra Kortan
Cierra
Kortan
5'8" | OH
Sauk Centre | 2025
MN
(2025 – 5’8 – Outside Hitter) is a freshman and possesses similar strengths as Jennissen and really solidified her place in the Mainstreeters lineup. Her ability to power through the block and find ways to score make her the potential x-factor for years to come.
Jenna Gapinski-Vogt
Jenna
Gapinski-Vogt
6'0" | RS
Sauk Centre | 2023
State
MN
(2023 – 6’0 – Right Side Hitter) has been a leader for this powerful offense and will be trusted to lead and create balance after the graduation of some key components from this year’s state championship team. Other returning pieces include
Kate McKeown
Kate
McKeown
5'5" | OH
Sauk Centre | 2023
MN
(2023 – 5’5 – Defensive Specialist) and
Heidi Lieser
Heidi
Lieser
5'8" | OH
Sauk Centre | 2023
MN
(2023 – 5’8 – Outside Hitter)
Freshman, @cierrakortan is serving up some points for Sauk Centre in set 2. Mainstreeters are storming back after dropping the 1st set to take a 21-11 lead in the 2nd. pic.twitter.com/pVZyBjL8xk
— Breit Nelson (@BreitNelson) November 12, 2021
OTHERS TO WATCH
Class AAAA 3rd Place Finisher – Eden Prairie
- Emma Matousek Emma Matousek 5'6" | DS/L Eden Prairie | 2023 State MN – 2023 – 5’5 – Defensive Specialist/Outside Hitter
- Evelyn Skattum Evelyn Skattum 6'0" | MB Eden Prairie | 2023 State MN – 2023 – 6’0 – Middle Blocker/Right Side Hitter
- Lillian Ekness Lillian Ekness 5'11" | OH Eden Prairie | 2023 State MN – 2023 – 5’11 – Pin Hitter
- Cameron Berger Cameron Berger 5'11" | S Eden Prairie | 2023 State #71 Nation MN – 2023 – 5’9 – Setter/Right Side Hitter
It couldn’t have gotten any more suspenseful…. with a deep court kill by Junior, Lillian Ekness Lillian Ekness 5'11" | OH Eden Prairie | 2023 State MN ,@ephs_volleyball takes SET 5 (21-19) to move onto Semifinals. pic.twitter.com/N87M9ql3o2
— Breit Nelson (@BreitNelson) November 10, 2021
Class AA Runner-up – Jackson County Central
- Maci Farmer Maci Farmer S Jackson County Central | 2023 MN – 2023 – Setter
- Elese Paplow Elese Paplow S Jackson County Central | 2024 State MN – 2024 – Setter
- Alexis O’Reilley Alexis O’Reilley DS/L Jackson County Central | 2023 MN – 2023 – Defensive Specialist
- Peyton Hanson Peyton Hanson MB Jackson County Central | 2023 MN – 2023 – Middle Blocker
- Emma Haren Emma Haren 5'11" | OH Jackson County Central | 2024 State MN – 2024 – Middle Blocker
- Andria Benson Andria Benson OH Jackson County Central | 2023 MN – 2023 – Pin Hitter
Class A Runner-up – Minneota
- Megan Krog Megan Krog 5'9" | OH Minneota | 2023 State MN – 2023 – 5’9 – Outside Hitter
- Cassandra Gospodarek Cassandra Gospodarek 5'10" | S Rosemount | 2024 State MN – 2024 – 5’2 – Defensive Specialist
- Emma Bottelberghe Emma Bottelberghe 5'10" | OH Minneota | 2024 State MN – 2024 – 5’8 – Right Side Hitter
- Ireland Stassen Ireland Stassen 5'9" | S Minneota | 2023 State MN – 2023 – 5’8 – Setter/Outside Hitter
- Ella Johnson Ella Johnson 5'11" | OH Minneota | 2024 State MN – 2024 – 5’10 – Middle Blocker
- Elivia Faris Elivia Faris 5'9" | RS Minneota | 2025 State MN – 2025 – 5’8 – Right Side Hitter
- Grace Hennen Grace Hennen 5'7" | RS Minneota | 2024 MN – 2024 – 5’7 – Defensive Specialist
- Dakoda Hennen Dakoda Hennen 5'8" | DS/L Minneota | 2024 State MN – 2024 – 5’8 – Defensive Specialist
- Abigail Rolbiecki – 2026 – 5’4 – Defensive Specialist
5’8 Freshman right side hitter, Elivia Faris Elivia Faris 5'9" | RS Minneota | 2025 State MN finds the line for @vballvikings
And they take set 2 25-21. pic.twitter.com/XGk0YgSafV— Breit Nelson (@BreitNelson) November 12, 2021
Class AAA 3rd Place Finisher – New Prague
- Madison Johnson Madison Johnson 5'6" | DS/L New Prague | 2023 MN – 2023 – 5’6 – Defensive Specialist
- Avery Klein Avery Klein 5'11" | RS New Prague | 2024 State MN – 2024 – 5’7 – Pin Hitter
- Claire Baribeau Claire Baribeau 6'0" | MB New Prague | 2023 State MN – 2023 – 6’1 – Middle Blocker
- Kayla Thorsfeldt Kayla Thorsfeldt 5'11" | RS New Prague | 2023 MN – 2023 – 5’11 – Right Side Hitter
- Emerson Dillon Emerson Dillon 5'8" | DS/L New Prague | 2025 State MN – 2025 – 5’8 – Defensive Specialist/Outside Hitter
Class AAAA Champion – Wayzata
- Sophia Johnson Sophia Johnson 5'9" | DS/L Wayzata | 2023 State MN – 2023 – 5’8 – Defensive Specialist
- Stella Swenson Stella Swenson 6'1" | S Wayzata | 2024 State #8 Nation MN – 2024 – 6’1 – Setter
- Avery Jesewitz Avery Jesewitz 6'4" | OH Wayzata | 2024 State #175 Nation MN – 2024 – 6’2 – Outside Hitter