Postseason Begins this Week: 1A Section Preview

The road to the state tournament begins this week. Several teams have high hopes for a successful march through section playoffs and an opportunity to be among Minnesota's elite November 8-10 at the Xcel Energy Center. Among 1A teams, Sections 2 and 3 may host the eventual champion simply because the teams that eventually advance will be battle tested and proven among some of the state's top-ranked teams. Section 2 The South #1 seed is 1A #2-ranked Waterville-Elysian-Morristown. On the other side is North #1 BOLD (2A #7) and North #2 Mayer Lutheran (2A #3). WEM is 28-2 on the season, which includes only one loss to a Minnesota team, that being to Mayer Lutheran (0-2) at the Class A Showcase. The Buccaneers are led offensively by Toryn Richards (OH | 2021), Alexis Morsching (OH | 2019), and MaeLea Harmon (RS | 2019). Their first match will be Thursday against the winner of LCWM (16-14) and Madelia (8-18). A young team, Mayer Lutheran is 19-9 on the season and is led by Olivia Tjernagel (MH | 2020), one of the most formidable forces at the net on both sides of the ball. She is supported by Claudia Stahlke (MH | 2020) on the offensive side and defensively by Morgan Chmielewski (DS | 2021). Also on their side is the label as the two-time defending state champion. Their first match will be on Thursday versus the winner of SESM (10-13-1) and Cedar Mt. (3-19). BOLD is led by the high flying Makenna Steffel (OH | 2019), Ashley Trongard (MH | 2020), and Makayla Snow (S | 2020). At 23-2, they have two wins over Wabasso this season. Their first match will also be Thursday against the winner of BLHS (10-16) and SEPS (7-13). Section 3 The top 2A team in #1 Minneota (North #1 seed) is joined by #4 Wabasso (North #2 seed), and #9 Windom (South #1 seed) in Section 3. At 29-1, Minneota has dropped only four sets all season. They are led by Lydia Sussner (MH | 2019), Lizzy Gillingham (OH | 2019), and Abby Hennen (Lib | 2021). Central Minnesota Christian and Dawson-Boyd compete on Monday to play Minneota on Friday. Wabasso is 21-5 overall and will face Lakeview on Friday in their first postseason match. Maddy Guetter (OH | 2019), Amanda Hoffman (MH | 2019), and Jenna Frank (S | 2019) lead the Rabbits. Windom recently fell to Minneota (3-0) in a regular-season finale and the Eagles look to rebound and drive towards a rematch in the section finals next week. Windom will face Hills-Beaver Creek on Friday. They are led by Becca Hacker (MB | 2019). Other Ranked Teams #5 Pine River-Backus - The top seed in Section 5 is 25-2 and the Northland Conference champion. They will face the winner of Walker-Hackensack-Akeley and Bertha-Hewitt on Friday. The Tigers are led by Bailey Wynn (MB | 2019), Gabby Rainwater (OH | 2019), and Rylie Hirschey (S | 2021). A matchup with Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa looms in the section finals if both teams are able to advance. #6 Mabel-Canton - The Southeast Conference champions are 27-5 overall and the Section 1 east #1 seed. They will take on Kingsland, a 3-0 winner over Houston earlier on Monday. The Cougars are led by Maddy Michels (MH | 2019), Payton Danielson (OH | 2020), Lexi Thorson (OH | 2019), and Kenidi McCabe (S | 2021). #7 Ada-Borup/Norman County West - Positioned as the Section 8 W#1 seed, the Cougars are 24-2 and will face Northern Freeze (8-18), a first round winner over Warren-Alvarado-Oslo. The Pine to Prairie Conference champions are led by Mariah Mckeever (OH | 2019), Ivy Johnson (S | 2019), Bailee Brommenschenkel (OH | 2020), and conference Defensive Player of the Year from 2017 Kora Kritzberger (MB | 2020). #10 Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa - Karsee Kampsen (S | 2021) is one of the best setters in the Central Minnesota Conference and leads the Jaguars at 22-4 overall. Her hitting corps includes Ally Gruber (OH | 2019), Brittany Berge (MH | 2020), Katherine Matsey (MH | 2019), and Emily Knight (MB | 2019). BBE faces the winner of Kimball Area and Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City on Friday.