Standouts from Friday’s Tournament action around Minnesota
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Many prospects competed in tournaments around the state on Friday from the Twin Cities Challenge in Burnsville to the Jimmy John’s Tournament in Marshall. Here’s a look at Friday’s top performers. Gretchen Volk MN #22 DS/L #3 HEIGHT 5'8" POS…
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Continue ReadingMany prospects competed in tournaments around the state on Friday from the Twin Cities Challenge in Burnsville to the Jimmy John’s Tournament in Marshall. Here’s a look at Friday’s top performers.
Wilmar’s Gretchen Volk Gretchen Volk 5’8″ | DS/L Willmar | 2025 State MN had a solid pair of games for the Cardinals at The Fall Classic, hosted by St. Michael-Albertville.
Volk posted nine kills and 12 digs for Wilmar in a 2-1 win over Bemidji, 12-25, 25-18, 15-11. She also had six kills against Rogers in a 2-1 loss by scores of 25-12, 20-25, 15-7.
A 5-foot-8 junior outside hitter, Volk moves well on the court, and she has good touch on the ball for kill attempts, but she can deliver a kill with high velocity whenever needed. She can hit well from both the outside and the middle.
Ellery DeBoer Ellery DeBoer 5’11” | S Willmar | 2027 State MN put together a couple of solid outings for Wilmar at The Fall Classic at St. Michael-Albertville.
DeBoer had 21 set assists against Bemidji in the opener, and she posted 20 set assists plus 14 digs against Rogers. A 5-foot-10 setter, DeBoer has 36 service aces, 80 kills, 15 blocks, and 118 digs this season for the Cardinals.
On serving, DeBoer consistently places the ball well and sets her team up for success. She also excels on the attack where she displays good touch on the ball, and she sends it to spots where the other team can’t keep volleying.
Highlights
Sartell-St. Stephen’s Abby Haus Abby Haus 6’1″ | RS Sartell | 2024 State MN did well against big schools at the Fall Classic at St. Michael-Albertville.
Haus posted six kills, three service aces, two total blocks, and seven digs in a 2-0 win over Robbinsdale Armstrong 25-16, 25-17. She also fared well against St. Michael-Albertville despite a 2-0 loss, 25-23, 25-18. Against the Knights, Haus posted seven kills, a service ace, a block, and five digs.
Haus shined on her kill attempts against the Falcons with excellent velocity and placement. She drilled the ball into difficult spots for the Falcons to return.
In the STMA game, Haus excelled at firing her kill attempts toward the backline, and the Knights couldn’t return them. Haus also showed excellent timing when going for her kills.
Cannon Falls ‘ Kallie Johnson Kallie Johnson 5’8″ | OH Cannon Falls | 2024 State MN shined against big school competition on Friday in the Twin Cities Challenge.
Johnson posted nine kills, a service ace, five digs, and six serve receptions against Eastview in a 2-0 victory, 25-19, 25-16. She also had a solid outing against a smaller school in Pine River-Backus at the tournament. Against the Tigers, Johnson posted 11 kills, two service aces, a block, seven digs, and eight serve receptions in a 2-0 win, 25-20, 25-20.
On the attack, Johnson has excellent range with her 90-inch reach as she can deliver the ball with high velocity further back from the net. Johnson moves very well on the court, and she quick enough to the ball to catch an opposing team off guard.
Falon Hepola Falon Hepola 5’6″ | S Cannon Falls | 2026 MN of Cannon Falls had a solid pair of games at the Twin Cities Challenge.
Against Eastview, the 5-foot-6 sophomore setter posted two kills, seven digs, and 13 set assists. She did well against Pine River-Backus with a kill, eight digs, and 27 set assists.
While Hepola’s specialty is setting up her teammates, she can slip in a get a kill. She has good placement on the ball, and her quickness can catch an opponent by surprise.
Highlights
Cannon Falls ‘ Karysn Winchell played well at the Twin Cities Challenge against Eastview and Pine River-Backus.
Winchell posted four kills, two service aces, six digs, eight serve receptions, and three set assists against the Lightning. She tallied 10 kills, four service aces, seven digs, and 22 serve receptions against the Tigers.
A 5-foot-6 junior outside hitter, Winchell jumps well on kill attempts, and she delivers the ball with excellent velocity. She pins the ball in tough spots on the opposite side of the court, which makes it challenging for opposing teams.