Under Radar Teams Contributing to the Parity in Class AAA

<p>In attending the Southwest Minnesota Challenge this past weekend, there were three teams that stood out regarding their potential to disrupt and shake-up conference standings and postseason results. As these teams are not necessarily unknowns given some of their previous success at the state tournament, they are squads not currently among the state rankings and do not readily jump to mind when asked who the major contenders are for 2019. However, as these teams are all hovering .500 for their current season record, they have shown signs of big possibilities that include some good wins, solid individual talent, and some team depth that could carry them far as the high school season progresses.</p> <p><em><strong>Elk River Elks</strong></em><br /> Elk River’s weekend was full of ebbs and flows and showed great indications of their potential when all things were clicking. With wins over New Prague, Totino-Grace, and St. Michael-Albertville, the Elks have proven they can compete and win against some highly capable offensive threats. With the setter-hitter pair of senior <strong>Clare Hilary</strong> (Prep Dig #132) and sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="72776" first="Elle" last="Cotton"]</strong> (Prep Dig #27), the Elks increase their depth offensively with them involved. Both athletes have shown good ownership of the setting role and have proven capable of mixing it up from the right side pin when needed. The Elks do have some good size across the front row, including a trio of juniors in middles <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="71684" first="Kaylin" last="Plautz"]</strong> at 6’2 and <strong>Johanna Langbehn</strong> at 6’0 alongside outside hitter <strong>Kennedy Gleason</strong>, also standing 6’0. There is good potential to terminate with some authority among this group as well as defend effectively at the net. The lone 2018 all-conference returner is senior libero <strong>Molly Bense</strong>. If this team can find some consistency and rhythm, while improving in reducing errors, they will be a dangerous threat in the long-term. Ahead on the Elks’ schedule includes a match with the 2018 class AA state champion North Branch and their final regular season home contest against a good team from Totino-Grace.</p> <p><em><strong>Hutchinson Tigers</strong></em><br /> Boasting one of the biggest and athletic front lines in the tournament, Hutchinson has a lot of potential to claim a role as a contender. Senior outside hitter <strong>Emma Olberg</strong> is a dynamic six-rotation athlete at 5’8, which is short by comparison to her fellow teammates. She can elevate well to swing and covers the floor with great skill and hustle on the defensive side. She is also the lone returning Wright County all-conference selection for the Tigers from last season. Olberg is surrounded by a formidable presence in the way of 6’3 middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="57490" first="Grace" last="Daak"]</strong> (Prep Dig #46), 6’3 senior middle <strong>Morgan Ellis</strong>, and sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="72792" first="Adri" last="Rhoda"]</strong> on the outside and standing at 6’2. Rhoda’s athleticism and upside is a big factor here as her continued development over the course of the season should create more space for Daak and Ellis to roam the middle with less attention from the opposition while also increasing her own stock as a prospect. Daak has great experience behind her and will be taking her game to Minnesota-Duluth next season. Other key elements for the Tigers include junior opposite <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="58058" first="Aubrey" last="Brunkhorst"]</strong> (Prep Dig #57) and senior libero <strong>Emily Messner</strong>. Key matches ahead for the Tigers include Mayer Lutheran, New Prague, and Waconia with each set to serve as a great measure of their continued progress.</p> <p><em><strong>Waconia Wildcats</strong></em><br /> When your roster includes the #5 ranked athlete in the class of 2020 you are bound to experience opportunities for success. As we know volleyball is challenging to win on the shoulder of one attacker, Waconia has the luxury of some good support surrounding their primary threat in outside hitter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="30259" first="Kali" last="Wolf"]</strong>. Wolf stands 6’2 and often maximizes that length with her athleticism to terminate the ball with a lasting impression. The New Mexico-bound senior was a 2018 Wright Count all-conference pick and she commands a lot of attention from opponents. Senior <strong>Ellie Damman</strong> (Prep Dig #24) garners attention in her own right as she can be just as impressive as her hard-hitting teammate both offensively and defensively. She is a savvy middle with good volleyball I.Q. to match great blocking skills and the versatility to terminate the ball in front of the setter and overhead whether off one foot or two. The Wildcats have another all-conference pick from 2018 by way of senior libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="71681" first="Claire" last="Segner"]</strong> (Prep Dig #51). She has great all-around skills and pursues the ball with great quickness and precision in her movement. Although losing early on to Chanhassen and Minnetonka, Waconia does have some good wins over Kasson-Mantorville, Hutchinson, and Elk River. Important future matches include New Prague, Shakopee, and Hutchinson once again.</p>