2018 Class AAA Ms. Baden Volleyball Finalists

<p>The list has been announced as five Minnesota Ms. Baden Volleyball finalists are being recognized as the best seniors for the 2018 prep season. As the 1A ([player_tooltip player_id="9924" first="Lydia" last="Sussner"]) and 2A ([player_tooltip player_id="9896" first="Peyton" last="Suess"]) athletes have previously been profiled, below are the highlights for the three athletes representing some of the best 3A programs.</p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="9901" first="Izzy" last="Ashburn"] | 5’11, Setter, Champlin Park</strong></em><br /> One of the best at her position in the country, Ashburn reached the 1,000 career assists milestone in helping her team advance to the 3A state tournament as a legitimate contender to win it all. The Rebels are a loaded team with weapons at every position and Ashburn was the catalyst for not only helping them to be productive and successful, but also to be content in their roles and opportunities among such a deep squad. She is smooth and precise in her distribution with all the tools to be highly effective in any situation, which is a result of the maturity and composure she brings to the floor. She will head off to Wisconsin, a Big Ten Conference power known for their elite setter talent and development. A 2017 All-State 1st Team selection, she will be recognized there once again with an opportunity to close her career identified as the best senior athlete and as a state champion. Ashburn and her CP teammates enter into the state tournament as the #2 seed and will open up against Moorhead and looking to avenge a quarterfinal loss to the Spuds a year ago. With Ashburn’s leadership, skill set, and high I.Q, the Rebels are in good hands and are poised to make a successful run this weekend.</p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="9900" first="Elizabeth" last="Juhnke"] | 6’1, OH, Lakeville North</strong></em><br /> It is really unfortunate that we volleyball enthusiasts don’t get to see Juhnke and her Lakeville North teammates compete to defend their 2017 state title. Give credit to their rivals for ending their run in the section finals. That still doesn’t ease the situation in knowing Juhnke’s career totals at 1,500+ kills and 1,000+ digs have reached their end. She proved herself to be one of the best competitors in a deep Minnesota prep field throughout her career and is a huge reason why the Panthers have been one of the best programs and among the most highly anticipated for all of their opponents. In spite of falling short of the state tournament, Juhnke helped lead her team to rare and coveted wins over the likes of Champlin Park, Eagan, Lakeville South, and Shakopee, keeping them among the favorites all season. Juhnke’s skill set and athleticism helped elevate her to elite status among her peers with her ability to produce from any position on the court. Whether front or back row, she is always a threat that teams must remain aware of at all times. It is difficult to disrupt her given her well-rounded ability to pass and swing and when given the opportunity to attack she has great range and control to hit for power or finesse. A 2017 All-State 1st Team selection as a junior, she will take her game to South Dakota next year and will undoubtedly help grow the competitiveness of their program from the start.</p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="29858" first="Rachel" last="Kilkelly"] | 5’9, OH, Shakopee</strong></em><br /> A well-rounded athlete that can do it all for the Sabers, Kilkelly helped lead Shakopee to a big victory over Minnetonka to advance to the state tournament as the #5 seed and a quarterfinal matchup against #4 seed Stillwater. Shakopee has great momentum having won the last 10 of 11 matches. Her high school career has been long and successful regarding individual accolades having been part of the varsity effort since her 8th grade year. She has earned multiple all-conference awards and was a All-State Honorable Mention selection in 2017. She has one weekend left to continue to grow her legacy that includes 1,500+ kills and 1,300+ digs. Kilkelly committed to the University of Minnesota during her sophomore year of high school and is certain to be a future defensive specialist/libero star, a position for the Golden Gophers that traditionally is represented among the nation’s elite at the Division I level. Her versatility, and experience on the court will transition well to the next level, but she and her Sabers are no doubt not thinking too far ahead with a huge opportunity in front of them in the coming days. </p>