Week 5: Key Matches on Tuesday’s (9/17) Slate
As we progress through the regular season, many key conference matchups are starting to surface. Here are three matches on Tuesday’s schedule that should be big factors in their respective league standings: Wayzata @ St. Michael-Albertville The Trojans from Wayzata…
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Continue ReadingAs we progress through the regular season, many key conference matchups are starting to surface. Here are three matches on Tuesday’s schedule that should be big factors in their respective league standings:
Wayzata @ St. Michael-Albertville
The Trojans from Wayzata travel to St. Michael-Albertville and enter this Lake conference match as a favorite given their recent success and their current #3 ranking in class AAA. Don’t count STMA out though as they are currently receiving votes in the class AAA poll, are playing at home, and recently defeated a solid team in #9 ranked Moorhead in 3-0 fashion. The Knights get good contributions from around the court. Their pin attacking core of seniors
Mikala Henderson
Mikala
Henderson
5'9" | OH
St. Michael-Albertville | 2020
State
MN
and Sam Palmer along with junior
Olivia Carel
Olivia
Carel
6'1" | OH
STMA | 2021
State
MN
. This trio can get on you quickly when their ball control keeps them in system and if their setters can get them the ball at the right time and location. Add in middle
Emma VanHeel
Emma
VanHeel
6'0" | MB
St. Michael-Albertville | 2021
State
MN
and STMA has potential for good balance offensively on any given night with good athleticism and size to disrupt an opponent on the defensive side as well. Wayzata has a core of four athletes themselves that also provide good offensive power around the court. Senior
Elizabeth Helmich
Elizabeth
Helmich
6'1" | MB
Wayzata | 2020
State
MN
is their dynamic left-handed opposite. She is accompanied by the fire power of senior middle
Lily Emlong
Lily
Emlong
6'2" | OH
Wayzata | 2020
State
MN
and the six-rotation contributions from junior outside
Sophie Jesewitz
Sophie
Jesewitz
6'3" | OH
Wayzata | 2022
State
MN
. The fourth element of this corps is senior setter
Olivia Johnson
Olivia
Johnson
5'10" | S
Wayzata | 2020
State
MN
who has the fun task of distributing the ball to this dynamic trio but comes along with the great challenge to keep them all involved with the right number of swings and in the right moments. Prediction: Wayzata in four sets.
BOLD vs. Sauk Centre
Currently at 4-0 respectively in the West Central standings, this matchup will be a good measure of progress for both squads as each is dealing with their own challenges, including Sauk Centre’s key offensive departures due to graduation and BOLD’s mix of youngsters that are being developed to balance out their senior leaders. For BOLD,
Makayla Snow
Makayla
Snow
5'11" | MB
BOLD | 2020
State
MN
continues to shine as one of the best offensive setters as she frequently calls her own number when her team needs an impact play. The athletic senior can distribute the ball just as effectively as she can terminate it. She has a group of attackers that are seemingly improving with more and more experience. Senior middle Ashley Trongard is a primary arm in the Warriors’ arsenal but she is getting more support from a trio of sophomores in outside hitter
Leslie Snow
Leslie
Snow
5'9" | OH
BOLD | 2022
State
MN
, opposite Caylee Weber, and middle Abby Meyers. Senior libero Brenna Weis is their defensive leader. That Mainstreeters from Sauk Centre are 9-1 overall on the season and are currently receiving votes in the class AA poll. They are one of those teams that quietly goes about their business with great fundamentals and competitiveness and certainly should not be overlooked. They are led by senior outside Victoria Peschel and senior middle
McKenna Westby
McKenna
Westby
6'1" | MB
Sauk Centre | 2020
State
MN
, both 2018 all-conference honorees. Senior setter Megan Klaphake also received an all-conference nod and has helped her team pick up right where they left off last year with a early hold on the conference standings. Prediction: Sauk Centre in four sets.
Shakopee @ Eagan ‘ last=”]’ last=”]
The current class AAA #1 team in Eagan ‘ last=”]’ last=”] plays hosts for this top-ten showdown as #6 Shakopee looks to pull off the upset in this South Suburban contest. This is also a rematch of a 2-0 Eagan ‘ last=”]’ last=”] win over Shakopee in the Sabers’ own tournament just a couple of weekends ago. Featured here are some great athletes including Eagan ‘ last=”]’ last=”]’s all-everything junior
Kennedi Orr
Kennedi
Orr
6'0" | S
Eagan | 2021
State
MN
and senior setter
Payton Marker
Payton
Marker
5'7" | DS/L
Shakopee | 2020
State
MN
for Shakopee. Orr, a Nebraska commit, looks to return to the floor after helping Team USA to a gold medal in the recent U18 world championships. Both teams have some great offense with Eagan ‘ last=”]’ last=”] led by Orr’s arm at opposite, the versatility of senior
Christine Jurgens
Christine
Jurgens
5'11" | MB
Eagan | 2020
State
MN
on the pin, and the great size and length of sophomore middle
Kendal Kemp
Kendal
Kemp
6'6" | MB
Eagan | 2022
State
#84
Nation
MN
. Shakopee gets great offensive contributions from senior outside Maddie Fratzke and junior opposite
Aryana Forsberg
Aryana
Forsberg
6'0" | MB
Shakopee | 2021
State
MN
, while middles
Lauren Aus
Lauren
Aus
6'1" | MB
Shakopee | 2020
State
MN
and Maddie Lipetzky can score while also putting great pressure on opponents defensively at the net. I would not be surprised if this match goes the distance given the talent, experience, and tradition they each bring combined the mix of youth and veterans playing key roles for both squads. Both teams advanced to the state tournament in 2018 and have high expectations to get back there again in 2019. Much like some other recent top-ten matches, this one certainly has the capability of feeling like a playoff atmosphere. Prediction: Shakopee in five sets.
Other Key Matches
- Lakeville North @ Prior Lake
- Hopkins @ Minnetonka
- St. Louis Park @ Chaska
- Moorhead @ Alexandria
- Eden Prairie @ Edina
- Kenyon-Wanamingo @ Bethlehem Academy