Who Wins Class AAA In Minnesota? The Case For Each Favorite
Photo: Champlin Park Celebrates Championship Point (Photo Cred: Star Tribune) The Class of 2019 had a major impact on the high school volleyball scene in Minnesota. Teams with multiple Division 1 players, experience in big games, and some whose route…
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Continue ReadingPhoto: Champlin Park Celebrates Championship Point (Photo Cred: Star Tribune)
The Class of 2019 had a major impact on the high school volleyball scene in Minnesota. Teams with multiple Division 1 players, experience in big games, and some whose route to the state tournament was among some of the tops in the state itself made it quite the gauntlet to claim the title. Champlin Park came out standing on top with a five set thriller over Eagan ‘ last=”]’ last=”], but with both of those squads losing some big time players who are at top notch college programs this fall, who has the best case to win a state title?
Eagan ‘ last=”]’ last=”]
2018 Record: 29-2
What is really unfortunate for Eagan ‘ last=”]’ last=”] is that they graduated their top middle blockers from last season. What is really fortunate for Eagan ‘ last=”]’ last=”] is they will have top Class of 2022 middle blocker in 6’5 Kendal Kemp who previously played at Rogers. Kemp will have an instant impact on this lineup with Kennedi Orr (Nebraska), outside Christine Jurgens and Katherine Wong and NDSU commit Abigail Moe in the middle. Some upcoming Sophomores to keep an eye on will be libero Simara Amador and right side Sienna Ifill. These two had a major club season at Northern Lights and will look to continue that momentum into the high school season.
[program_tooltip program_id='430430' first='Lakeville' last='South'] – Photo Jean Pieri / Pioneer Press)2018 Record: 29-5
This squad had quite the finish to the 2018 season defeating Northfield 15-13 in five sets and Lakeville North 18-16 in five just to get to the state tournament. The Cougars will have to find a way to replace points from the graduation of Nicole Banitt (St. Olaf) and Jasmine Mulvihill (Concordia-St. Paul) along with libero Alena Moldan (New Mexico), but will return a really talented Junior class led by one of the top attackers in the state in Ava Moes, a 6’3 force who can dominate the net offensively and defensively. Jasmine Weidemann and TEagan ‘ last=”]’ last=”] Starkey are back as setters as well as Kendyl Storlie in the middle.
Wayzata
2018 Record: 23-5
Wayzata has a lineup where they will be 5’10 or taller in the frontline at all times combined with Division 1 commits in the middle with Lily Emlong (Elon) and Elizabeth Helmich (James Madison) and Senior setter Olivia Johnson who is one of the best available setters in the Class of 2020. They also have two pins who can score points in Kate Long who is a major sleeper in the Class of 2020 and Sophie Jesewitz who is a rising prospect on the pin the Class of 2021. Champlin Park has been the thorn to everyone in that section, but could this be the year that Wayzata can break through to the X?
Champlin Park
2018 Record: 32-2 – 2018 State Champion
This may be a little bit of an outside shot, but this team has a group who has been there, they have a front line that has played in big moments and know how to win in the clutch. Omaha commit Jordan Stalpes was so big in the state tournament, earning All Tournament team honors. Hannah Praskey (Augustana) and Sami Hilley can play in the middle or on the right side and were major contributors in 2018. Megan Panser, a DS last year will most likely step into the libero role and Senior, Jensen Luehrs will be a point scorer with a fast left handed swing. Coach John Yunker will find a way to have his team post season ready and will be a dangerous team come late October.
Prior Lake
Julia Hansen swings from the outside at Northern Lights Qualifier.2018 Record: 15-15
Prior Lake still might be a year or two away from being a front runner, but they have some young athletes who are doing to be extremely explosive this upcoming season starting with Sophomore, Julia Hansen. Hansen is one of the top players in the Class of 2022 and has committed to play at Minnesota. A high flyer who is extremely electric on the pin and can score points from any spot on the court. PL will also have Camille Libert in the middle who can really move and score points in transition.
Northfield
2018 Record: 24-6
Northfield was incredibly close last year to knocking off Lakeville South in the Section Semifinals, dropping a 15-13 five set match. With the return of Bronwyn Timperley (Northern Colorado) on the pin and Presley Fink they will always have an outlet on the outside and a primary passer. Emma Torstenson will be holding down the backrow as the libero. The Colorado commit from the Class of 2021 has a ton of range and will be able to get Northfield in system to run a high powered offense.