Section 7AA Preview

Matt Bigelow

October 31, 2017 @ 05:34 PM

Postseason play is right around the corner. With sections set to start in less than two weeks, PrepDig is breaking down each section with teams and players to watch. Section 7 got something of an unexpected boost when North Branch moved down to Class AA. After going 13-16 a season ago, the Vikings have emerged as an elite team in Class AA. Hermantown got to state a year ago out of Section 7 and lost its first two matches. Favorite: North Branch The Vikings head into postseason ranked No. 4 in the Coaches Poll and they earned it with just three losses on the season. All three losses were to high-quality Class AAA clubs and they beat teams like Jordan, Grand Rapids and Rochester Century along the way. Super-sophomore Cianna Selbitschka is one of the best hitters in the state and Maddie Hadrava is a nightmare to contend with in the middle. Next Up: Greenway The Raiders are a model of consistency in Class AA and had another terrific regular season, winning 22 matches on their way to earning the No. 1 seed in subsection 2. They went 12-1 against section opponents and picked up wins over Jordan and Concordia Academy in the Class AA Showcase Tournament. Hannah Goggleye is a top-notch middle hitter, providing terrific front-net presence while Erin Gustason keys things from the setter spot. In the Mix: Duluth Marshall, Hermantown Hermantown won the section title a year ago and the Hawks have hardly slowed down, winning 20 matches and earning the No. 2 seed in the subsection. They've picked up wins over teams like Duluth Marshall and Virginia. Sierra Bolen and Ellie Gamradt are players to watch. Duluth Marshall earned the No. 2 seed in Subsection 1 thanks to a 19-3 regular season record. The Hilltoppers have wins over Cook County and Ely but have otherwise been mostly untested throughout the season. Kate Klenschmidt is a terrific outside hitter and Aleksie Rengel does a good job setting the table from the libero spot.