The Top 10 Moments of 2019
This past year was filled with many memorable moments, a handful of upsets and several incredible players proving again that Minnesota volleyball is top-notch. Each year we like to reflect on some of the highlights. Here are our TOP 10…
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Continue ReadingThis past year was filled with many memorable moments, a handful of upsets and several incredible players proving again that Minnesota volleyball is top-notch. Each year we like to reflect on some of the highlights. Here are our TOP 10 moments of 2019:
10. WEM over Mayer Lutheran: Leading into the section tournament, many expected Mayer Lutheran to eliminate WEM. Mayer Lutheran had all the tools: a handful of 6’+ players, all-star setter Emma Lade, a near perfect record and a seasoned coach. In 5 close sets, WEM was able to knock off the heavily favored team. Mayer Lutheran led in nearly every stat; they had 61 kills to WEM’s 48; but momentum and too many errors secured a win for WEM.
9. Record Breaking: Every season we see a handful of athletes reach new milestones. This year was no different; highlights of these moments include:
- Mabel Canton coach Lonnie Morken reaching 700 wins,
- Also, a new state high school record was set when sophomore, Lilly Meister – Rochester John Marshall earned 16 blocks in one match.
- Reaching 1,000 assists used to be the achievement setters worked towards, but these setters shattered that with 2,000 career assists: Olivia Johnson (Wayzata) & Mikayla Snow (BOLD)
8. Academic Excellence: The life of a student athlete is a busy one, but the importance put on education is evident when the MN Volleyball Coaches Association announces the Academic Team awards. This year there were over 180 teams who earned the Gold Academic Award for having a cumulative team GPA of 3.75-4.0. This is a testament to the wonderful coaches, teachers, and families who work so hard to help our student athletes. From Ada-Borup West to Worthington a list of all the teams can be found here.
7. North St Paul Dances to the State Tournament: For the first time in school history, coach Stephanie Blanda, and her Polars, advanced to the AAA state tournament. There confirmed their right to go on beating rival Stillwater. Despite a 0-3 loss to Wayzata, they maintained their fun, style of play as they made history.
6. Stewartville Tigers over Kasson Mantorville: KM Rockets have established themselves as a premier team in Southern Minnesota with several star athletes and state tournaments appearances. But this year, John Dzubay and his Tigers were able to take back the crown and head back to state. They finished by winning the 2A title!
5. MN Gophers in NCAA Tournament: The MN volleyball team has made it to the Final Four. Most likely a mid-west match-up will take place at some point, but we know the fans that consistently “pack the Pav” will be supporting them the whole way.
4. Big Commitments: This year even more of the State’s volleyball standouts made a formal commitment to play at prestigious programs all around the country. See who’s going where in these articles published previously on our site:
A Closer Look: The Next Big(10) Thing by Mike Bryant
Celebrating National Signing Day by Prep Dig Staff
Erin Lamb Decides on Kentucky by Prep Dig Staff
Part 2: Class of 2020 Making NSIC Even Stronger by Chris Fitzgerald
3. Consecutive Championships for Minneota. An incredibly talented Minneota team managed to overthrow the competition for the second year in a row when they beat WEM in three sets to earn first place in the 1A state championship. That means 2 of 3 years head coach Hayley Fruin has been there, they have the title.
2. Ms. Baden: Maddie Whittington– The 6’3” middle earned the ultimate title as Ms. Baden 2019. A standout athlete who will represent Minnesota volleyball well when she joins the Illinois program next year! Other nominees were: Olivia Tjernagel, Elizabeth Helmich, Cianna Selbitschka.
and the top moment of the year..
1. Wayzata 3A State Champions: They hadn’t been to the tournament in nine years. The state trip ended with a thrilling 5 set match between Wayzata and Eagan ‘ last=”]’ last=”]. Both teams had some of the best athletes in the state. Kate Long and Sophie Jessiwitz had a combined 45 kills for Wayzata. They stopped the Eagan ‘ last=”]’ last=”] Wildcats from an undefeated season. Their leader, Kennidi Orr, is only a junior and will likely have a chance again next year, but Wayzata and coach Scott Jackson return many in their tall line-up too. Every player on this incredible squad demonstrates the wonderful qualities of MN volleyball:
Avery Seesz
Ella Voegele
Gabby Tollander*
Jaden Morrison
Sierra Moore
(* = senior)