Week 2: Key Matches on Thursday’s (8/29) Slate

<p>As we start to find a weekly rhythm to the high school volleyball schedule, detailed information will be shared about some of the key match-ups regarding state contenders, conference races, and highlighting individual talent from around the state. For Thursday, August 29th, we take a look at two matches that feature four teams that enter 2019 looking for answers. As each squad has some key returning elements, they each also lost significant contributors to graduation following last season. These programs all have great tradition in their own right and will look for individuals that can emerge and help balance the veteran talent that is back in 2019. </p> <p><em><strong>Morris Area @ BOLD</strong></em><br /> These two battled well in 2018 and enter the season moving on from some key individual pieces due to graduation. This match will be a great opportunity to answer some questions regarding personnel and competitiveness overall. Morris is coming off a loss to New London-Spicer earlier this week and looks to get on track. The Tigers are led by two veterans. The athletic arm and ability of senior, and all-conference selection in 2018, <strong>Lexi Pew</strong> (Prep Dig #77 | MSU-Moorhead commit) will be relied upon more deliberately in 2019. Her relationship with veteran junior setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="72092" first="LaRae" last="Kram"]</strong> (Prep Dig #103) will be important in order for Pew to develop some variety in her attacking opportunities if she is to carry a bigger load this season. Increased offense this season should also come from senior outside <strong>MacKenzie Hockel</strong> and junior middle <strong>Sophia Carlsen</strong>. BOLD is led by a talented setter who steadily emerged as a great distributor and point scorer in 2018. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="71671" first="Makayla" last="Snow"]</strong> (Prep Dig #43) has proven to be a great leader for her team and has developed a well-rounded arsenal of skills, which ultimately landed her an opportunity to take her talents to Northern State next year. Senior <strong>Ashley Trongard</strong> returns in the middle and will also be counted upon to increase offensive production in 2019 and continue limiting opponent offense here her play at the net. Identifying consistent contributions throughout the roster will be something to watch for BOLD as they may have to rely on underclassmen with limited varsity experience. Prediction: Morris in four sets.</p> <p><em><strong>East Ridge @ Lakeville North</strong></em><br /> Two class 3A powers in the suburban metro area are set to clash on Thursday at Lakeville North High School. The East Ridge Raptors have a young yet talented group with a collection of capable arms to provide point scoring from a variety of positions. Junior outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="71946" first="Lauren" last="Galvin"]</strong> (Prep Dig #13) is one of the state’s best. She is a 2018 Suburban East all-conference selection and has couple of varsity seasons behind her and is ready help her team take the next step in their postseason quest. Senior middle <strong>Avery Burger</strong> returns and will help to keep the pins open for Galvin to go to work. She is joined by sophomore middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="31576" first="Camryn" last="Greenwald"]</strong> (Prep Dig #11), recently identified as one of the top athletes in the class of 2022 by Prep Dig. Fellow sophomore teammate <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="72767" first="Britt" last="Carlson"]</strong> is poised to crack the individual athlete rankings and returns after a freshman year that saw some varsity action followed by a very active and competitive club schedule. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="71959" first="Jadyn" last="Garrison"]</strong> (Prep Dig #46) will help to contribute offensively as well as with her ball control. She was an all-conference honorable mention selection in 2018. East Ridge does have some relief defensively in junior <strong>Faith Saewart</strong> (Prep Dig #100) as she should see increased responsibility. The big question mark is at the setter position following the departure of a terrific floor leader from 2018. Keep an eye on both junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="72040" first="Audrey" last="Spolidoro"]</strong> and freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="73481" first="Mikayla" last="McDougall"]</strong> to see how they contribute to this critical role. Lakeville North had a terrific 2018 campaign in spite of coming up just short of the state championship event. Although they lost some significant leadership and arms from their offense to graduation, they return a slate of veterans that should keep the Panther train rolling in 2019. A handful of Lakeville North athletes are ranked among Prep Dig’s athlete rankings, led by senior libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="10020" first="Halle" last="Wolfe"]</strong> (Prep Dig #16 | Drake commit). She is steady force on both sides of the ball with her passing and defense and will provide great leadership for this squad that has only two seniors on its roster. The Panther’s junior class is loaded with talent in outside <strong>Maddy Hornyak</strong> (Prep Dig #14), middles <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="71955" first="Ella" last="Thompson"]</strong> (Prep Dig #36) and <strong>Abbey Milner</strong> (Prep Dig #60), and opposite <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="72044" first="Justine" last="Bastyr"]</strong> (Prep Dig #76). Senior <strong>Hannah Nietfeld</strong> has the lead at the setting position as junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="84487" first="Ella" last="Wheatcraft"]</strong> brings back varsity experience in the back row. Prediction: Lakeville North in four sets.</p>