Updated 2019 Minnesota Rankings: High Schools with Top Talent
Senior Leadership can mean a lot to the success of a High School program. Based on our latest Rankings, these teams are setup to have a strong 2018 season. The best 2019 classes in the State of Minnesota based on…
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Continue ReadingSenior Leadership can mean a lot to the success of a High School program. Based on our latest Rankings, these teams are setup to have a strong 2018 season. The best 2019 classes in the State of Minnesota based on both strength and depth of talent in our rankings are:
1. Champlin Park
Izzy Ashburn – #3 Class of 2019 – Setter – MN Select 18-1 – Committed to Wisconsin
Emma Schmidt – #12 Class of 2019 – Outside Hitter – MN Select 18-1 – Committed to UNI
Kaitlyn Weimerskirsch – #15 Class of 2019 – Libero – MN Select 18-1 – Committed to Illinois State
The Rebels have three D1 commits in the class of 2019 who are all ranked in our top 15. They also have the benefit of playing together during the club season. Ashburn and Schmidt were both All-State performers, while Weimerskirsch was Northwest Suburban All-Conference. This group will be looking to improve on a 5th Place finish at State in 2017.
2. Lakeville North
Elizabeth Juhnke – #13 Class of 2019 – Outside Hitter – M1 18-1 – Committed to South Dakota
Lakeville North celebrates the 2017 AAA State ChampionshipCan their 2019 class lead them to another?
Photo Credit Pioneer Press
Macy Winter – #23 Class of 2019 – Outside Hitter – NL 17-2 – Committed to Navy
Tori Thompson – #38 Class of 2019 – Middle Blocker – NL 17-2 – Uncommitted
Kaitlyn Arentz – #88 Class of 2019 – DS – NL 18-B – Uncommitted
The defending AAA State Champions are loaded for another run in 2018. Juhnke (All-State in 2017) and Winter (Honorable Mention All-Conference) make a dynamic 1-2 hitting combination that will be tough for other teams to match.
3. Lakeville South
Jasmine Mulvihill – #21 Class of 2019 – Middle Blocker – NL 17-1 – Uncommitted
Alena Moldan – #29 Class of 2019 – Libero – M1 18-1 – New Mexico
Nicole Banitt – #41 Class of 2019 – Middle Blocker – M1 18-1 – Uncommitted
Carlee Gonzalez – #89 Class of 2019 – Middle Blocker – NL 18-B – Uncommitted
The #2 and 3 teams in our class of 2019 rankings are cross-town rivals just 2 miles apart. 3 of Lakeville South’s 5 losses came to North last season. If they want to reverse that in 2018, it will likely be behind the strength of their 3 Middles (Mulvihill, Banitt, and Gonzalez). In the back row, expect New Mexico commit Alena Moldan to anchor the defense.
4. East Ridge
Stephanie Barber – #24 Class of 2019 – Setter – NL 17-2 – Committed to University of West Florida
Kate Reimann – #32 Class of 2019 – Outside Hitter – NL 17-2 – Uncommitted
Grace Whitman – #37 Class of 2019 – Middle Blocker – NL 17-2 – Uncommitted
Jordan Witzel – #67 Class of 2019 – Outside Hitter – M1 17-1 – Uncommitted
The Raptors won the Suburban East Conference last year and lost in the Section Final to State Runner-Up Eagan. Graduating only 2 Seniors, this 2019 class is looking to take a step forward as Seniors. West Florida commit Stephanie Barber will have some great options to go to in their offense with talented All-Conference hitters Kate Reimann and Grace Whitman. These three play together during the club season on Northern Lights 17-2, which won the USA division of the Show Me Qualifier in April. Jordan Witzel has potential to make a big contribution for the Raptors coming off of a strong club season with M1 17-1.
5. Edina
Christine Graf – #14 Class of 2019 – Outside Hitter – NL 17-1 – Uncommitted
Alaina Bohrer – #43 Class of 2019 – Outside Hitter – M1 17-1 – Uncommitted
Ella Haugen – #48 Class of 2019 – Setter – M1 17-1 – Uncommitted
Taelyr Czech – #101 Class of 2019 – Libero – NL 17-B – Uncommitted
Another team looking to make a step forward based on a great group of 2019 athletes is Edina. Christine Graf and Ella Haugen were both All-Conference in the Lake Conference in 2017, and have the potential to be the top Setter-Hitter combo in the Conference this year. Alaina Bohrer and Taelyr Czech are coming off Honorable Mention All-Conference seasons and provide Edina with another strong hitting option and a lock down defensive libero respectively. With this group leading the way, Edina looks poised to make a big improvement on their 13-13 record from 2017 even without San Diego Recruit Lauren Turner.