MN Section 8AAA Semifinal Match-Ups

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Minnesota Section 8AAA Tournament is its final stretch this week. Semifinals will be held Tuesday October 28th with the Championship on Thursday October 30th. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First seed Sauk Rapids-Rice will face fifth seed Fergus Falls. Sauk has been on a winning streak, going undefeated in conference play and trying to continue their winning streak. The last match-up Fergus fell to Sauk in three sets. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Cloud Tech, seeded second, will take on the third seed Annandale. Both teams have outstanding records for their seasons only losing a handful of games. These two teams have not faced each other yet this season, and everyone is on the edge of their seats waiting to see which team is headed to the Championship. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All four teams have players that have been rallying point after point and putting in the work to be successful.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Hannah Johnson","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Fergus Falls","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68fe9c7c5d932"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Johnson works hard and dedicated to defending the court. She is able to read the block and puts herself in line with where the hitter is going to get a strong touch on the ball. Johnson is quick to hustle and help out her teammates during out of system plays. Her fast feet get her to any short ball that is quickly sent over by the opponents. Johnson covers her hitters effectively to continue making plays and score the next point. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Keira Anderson","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32564","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Fergus Falls","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68fe9c7c5d9e6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Anderson has a fast killer line shot that makes it over the defenders heads and still lands in the court. Her fast transition off the net, puts her in the position to read the pass and stay behind the setter to get a strong attack on the ball. Her communication helps her team make successful plays. Anderson has fast blocking footwork to get out to the pin or close with her middle, and she gets many stops and touches to help out her team's defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["490152"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68fe9c7c5da3f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Anderson makes big plays no matter where she is on the court. In the back row it is hard for the opponents to get a ball around her as her ability to read and anticipate where the ball will be places allows her to getting many touches. Her high, hard, and deep swing in the front and back row makes it hard for defensive players to make a successful play. Keeping the defense on their toes helps Anderson rally numerous kills a game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["500070"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68fe9c7c5da8a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Meinert owns the court and plays every game like a championship is on the line. She is dedicated and determined to get a good pass on any ball that comes her way, and she rarely lets a ball get out of system. She is quick on her feet and covers hitter and setter dumps, keeping the play alive and allowing the offense to attack again. Meinert's positive attitude on the court keeps the team glued together throughout the night. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["733245"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68fe9c7c5dacf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lee works wonders at the net for her hitters. She hustles to the net with time to set her hips and give a fast ball for her hitters. As a jump setter, she speeds up her offense and in turn allows hitters to get around the opponent's blockers. Her ability to use tight balls to the teams advantage keeps the rally going and forces her opponents to say on their toes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["887267"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68fe9c7c5db13"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Schuler's platform control and hustle make a big impact on the court. She never stops moving and is ready for whatever the opponents throw at her. Her serve receive ability keeps her team in system so they are able to run fast and aggressive plays. Schuler is great at communicating with her teammates to limit any errors. Defensively she plays where the opposing hitter is swinging. She hustles to help out teammates when they are out of system and she is always ready to cover at the net. It is hard to get a ball around her. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["810839"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68fe9c7c5db56"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kilanowski transitions off the net to make herself available for any play. Her fast approach and high swing allow for her to swing sharp sidelines or deep corners depending on where the opponent's defense is sitting. She has fast blocking footwork allowing her to get to the pins, close blocks, and stop the ball. Kilanowski excels at reading opposing hitter and setting herself up to block right in front of them forcing the block or getting them to push it to a teammate. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["207307"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68fe9c7c5db98"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">As an all-around outside hitter, Jensen makes big plays in the front row and back row. She has a strong approach and high swing allowing her to be successful attacking anywhere on the court. She has a strong block in the front row getting many touches and stops throughout the match. Jensen is great and swinging around blockers and defense or performing shots when necessary to get the ball down. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->