Bachman Invitational Notes and Highlights
The 34th annual Bachman Invitational brought together some of the best teams and athletes from around Minnesota. With the postseason just ahead, this was an opportunity for some fine tuning and flat out good competition. Although all matches were played…
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Continue ReadingThe 34th annual Bachman Invitational brought together some of the best teams and athletes from around Minnesota. With the postseason just ahead, this was an opportunity for some fine tuning and flat out good competition. Although all matches were played as a best-of-three format rather than the traditional in-season best-of-five, these teams left nothing to be desired regarding their competitiveness and their best athletes showing up to get after it.
Pool Play Results
Pool 1 –
1. Lakeville North 3-0
2. Caledonia 2-1
3. Jackson County Central 1-2
4. Cretin Derham-Hall 0-3
Pool 2 –
1.
Lakeville South
3-0
2. Rochester Century 2-1
3. Prior Lake 1-2
4. Roosevelt, SD 0-3
Pool 3 –
1. East Ridge 3-0
2. Marshall 2-1
3. Eden Prairie 1-2
4. Rochester Mayo 0-3
Pool 4 –
1. Stewartville 3-0
2. Moorhead 2-1
3. Northfield 1-2
4. Hill-Murray 0-3
Bracket Play and Final Placement
Gold Bracket
Semifinals: Lakeville North def. Stewartville 2-1;
Lakeville South
def. East Ridge 2-0
Finals: Lakeville North (1st place) def.
Lakeville South
(2nd place) 2-1
Consolation: Stewartville (3rd place) def. East Ridge (4th place) 2-1
Silver Bracket
Semifinals: Moorhead def. Caledonia 2-0; Rochester Century def. Marshall 2-1
Finals: Rochester Century (5th place) def. Moorhead (6th place) 2-0
Consolation: Marshall (7th place) def. Caledonia (8th place) 2-0
Bronze Bracket
Semifinals: Northfield def. Jackson County Central 2-0; Prior Lake def. Eden Prairie 2-1
Finals: Northfield (9th place) def. Prior Lake (10th place) 2-0
Consolation: Jackson County Central (11th place) def. Eden Prairie (12th place) 2-1
Flight Bracket
Semifinals: Hill-Murray def. Cretin Derham-Hall 2-0; Roosevelt, SD def. Rochester Mayo 2-0
Finals: Roosevelt (13th place) def. Hill-Murray (14th place) 2-1
Consolation: Rochester Mayo (15th place) def. Cretin Derham-Hall (16th place) 2-0
Notes and Athlete Highlights
Some of the state’s highest-ranked teams were competing in Lakeville with 3A’s Lakeville North (#2), Lakeville South (#4), East Ridge (#5), and Northfield (#9). Class 2A was represented by Stewartville (#1) and Marshall (#3) while 1A’s Caledonia (#10) also competed. Others competing are among the top of their respective conference standings. Jackson County Central is 6-1 and just behind Marshall (6-0) in Big South West standings while Hill-Murray is 7-1 and sits atop the Metro East.
The Offensive Threats
The tournament featured some of the most dynamic arms on the outside. Great arm speed, range, and power were on display throughout the event. These were some of the best:
Elizabeth Juhnke – Lakeville North | 2019
Dynamic arm that has all the shots. Can hit for power and finesse and with range. Lethal from the pins and out of the back row. Steady leader that does it all for the Panthers. Prep Dig’s #13 2019 athlete and is a South Dakota commit.
Nicole Lund – Rochester Century | 2019
Prep Dig’s #18 2019 athlete, Lund is an Illinois State commit. She has great mobility from pin to pin. Puts up a big block and can terminate in a number of ways.
Jasmine Mulvihill –
Lakeville South
| 2019
A competitor. Brings heat and range off of great arm speed. Prep Dig’s #21 2019 athlete is committed to DII powerhouse Concordia University-St. Paul.
Nicole Banitt –
Lakeville South
| 2019
Long, agile, and a nice arm at 6’1. Is a force from the middle position with great effectiveness in front and behind the setter. Showed great composure to help keep her team competitive late in the final match. Prep Dig’s #41 2019.
Rachel Fink – Rochester Century | 2019
At 5-9, she can jump and hammer. Some of the best arm speed in the gym as the ball gets on defenders quickly. A Southwest Minnesota State commit, she is Prep Dig’s #53 2019 athlete.
Lydia Lange – Caledonia | 2020
Hits a heavy ball. Listed as a middle on this young roster and is relied upon a lot within the Warriors’ offense. Ranked at #43 among Prep Dig’s class of 2020 athletes.
Bria Morris – Marshall | 2020
Gets a lot of opportunities in Marshall’s attack. Although only 5’9, she is a fearless hitter that can score with the best of them. Prep Dig’s #53 ranked athlete in the class of 2020.
Kaitlyn Prondzinski – Stewartville | 2020
Elevates well and can bring the heat with range. A six-rotation athlete ranked #61 by Prep Dig for the class of 2020. She is an Illinois State commit and a big reason why Stewartville is ranked #1 and considered one of the favorites in class 2A.
Setters and Liberos
Successful teams need floor generals and defensive leaders that can take care of the distribution and ball control. Those watching at the Bachman Invitational saw some great performances in these roles.
Stephanie Barber – East Ridge | 2019
Good size at 5’11 with the ability to get a lot of hitters involved. A University of West Florida commit, she is Prep Dig’s #24-ranked athlete.
Alena Moldan –
Lakeville South
| 2019
Prep Dig’s #29 2019 athlete and committed to the University of New Mexico. She is a key cog in the
Lakeville South
arsenal. Her patience and vision allow her to pursue the ball with great range and keep her team in system often.
Lida King – Northfield | 2020
Great touch from pin to pin and Northfield’s success is dependent upon her ability to get a lot of capable hitters involved. At 6’1 she poses a big threat at the net as well.
Halle Wolfe –
Lakeville South
| 2020
One of the best in the state at her position. Only 5’4 but makes her presence known as she can cover a lot of floor with great control and accuracy off of her platform. The Panthers have a lot of offensive weapons and Wolfe is a catalyst that helps create a lot of opportunities. Prep Dig’s #19 2020 athlete.
The Future of MN Volleyball is Now
A bevy of underclassmen contributed in a lot of ways over the past two days. With heavy arms, finesse, big blocks, and versatility, it was great to watch these young athletes highly involved and very effective. Here is a list of sophomores* and one freshman** to keep an eye on:
*Jaidyn Brower – S | Stewartville | 2021
**Britt Carlson – RS | East Ridge | 2022
*Lauren Galvin – OH | East Ridge 2021
*Erin Lamb – MH | Stewartville | 2021
*Jordyn Hilgemann – OH/MH | Marshall | 2021
*Maddy Hornyak – RS/OH | Lakeville North | 2021
*Ashlyn Meincke – OH | Rochester Century | 2021
*Abbey Milner – MH | Lakeville North | 2021
*Ava Moes – RS |
Lakeville South
| 2021