Opening Week Features Quality Matches Across Minnesota
With the competitive high school season set to begin on August 22nd, the short week presents some quality early-season pairings on Thursday and Friday. High school volleyball is back! Thursday – August 22 Mayer Lutheran @ New Prague The storied…
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Continue ReadingWith the competitive high school season set to begin on August 22nd, the short week presents some quality early-season pairings on Thursday and Friday. High school volleyball is back!
Thursday – August 22
Mayer Lutheran @ New Prague
The storied Mayer Lutheran program enters 2019 with some key returning talent that is poised to return them to the state tournament once again. High flying Olivia Tjernagel (2020 | MH | Prep Dig #4) is coming off of USA Volleyball experience in the offseason and is reunited with Claudia Stahlke (2020 | MH | Prep Dig #23) to form one of the state’s most lethal middle tandems across all levels. Helping to anchor the defense is Morgan Chmielewski (2021 | DS). New Prague will look to stay close against the powerhouse Crusaders as they return a trio of Wright County East all-conference selections in Sophia Andersen (2020 | OH | Prep Dig #13), McKenna Vacek (2020 | L/DS | Prep Dig #27), and Dani Friedges (2020 | OH | Prep Dig #102).
Marshall @ Willmar
This early season match-up will be intriguing as the Marshall Tigers return some heavy offense while the Willmar Cardinals boast some great defense. Marshall will once again be led by the arms of Logan Sherman (2020 | RS/S | Prep Dig #29), Bria Morris (2020 | OH | Prep Dig #97) and Paige Andries (2020 | MH | Prep Dig #71) and feature a high quality libero in Mia Schnaible (2020 | Lib | Prep Dig #26). Willmar returns three Central Lakes all-conference defenders, led by one of the state’s best in Abby Stark (2021 | Lib | Prep Dig #11). Fellow teammates Cambrie Parker (2020 | DS) and Callie Slagter (2021 | DS) will help to keep the Tigers’ offense at bay. Abbie Teisinger (2020 | MH | Prep Dig #72) returns in the middle for Willmar.
Friday – August 23
Prior Lake @ East Ridge
East Ridge features a handful of key contributors from 2018. Lauren Galvin (2020 | OH | Prep Dig #16) and Jadyn Garrison (2020 | Lib | Prep Dig #36) provide ball control stability while Avery Burger (2020 | MH) and Britt Carlson (2022 | OH) join Galvin as primary attackers. Camille Libert (2020 | MH | Prep Dig #10) leads Prior Lake into an early season test for East Ridge. Dezirae Spratt (2020 | OH) and Rachel Ring (2020 | OH) look to balance Libert in the middle by contributing point scoring from the pin.
Moorhead vs. North Branch (@ Forest Lake Area High School)
The defending class AA champions open up against Moorhead, a 2018 state qualifier in class AAA. North Branch will once again feature one of the best athletes in Minnesota in Cianna Selbitschka (2020 | OH | Prep Dig #3) who carried a heavy load for the Vikings throughout their 2018 title run. Also returning are Haley Hadrava (2020 | S/RS), Paige Sheehan (2021 | S), and Kylie Kline (2020 | Lib). With a great volleyball tradition, Moorhead brings back some key athletes that hope to advance the Spuds deep into the postseason once again. Their roster returns Claire Howell (2020 | S), Ayana Blythe (2020 | MB), Megan Haugo (2020 | RS), Jalen Ennen (2020 | OH), and Sam Zimmerman (2021 | MH).