Volleyball Standouts in Basketball Playoffs
The quarterfinals and semi’s have just wrapped up for MNSHL Girl’s Basketball. There have been many familiar faces in these high profile games. Here are few of the Volleyball stars making a name for themselves on the basketball court. Welch…
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Continue ReadingThe quarterfinals and semi’s have just wrapped up for MNSHL Girl’s Basketball. There have been many familiar faces in these high profile games. Here are few of the Volleyball stars making a name for themselves on the basketball court.
Welch & StecherThe Stewartville Tigers played last week against against basketball powerhouse, Rochester Lourdes. The season started on a sour note as news of volleyball star, Erin Lamb Erin Lamb 6'3" | MB Stewartville | 2021 State MN , opted to only play club volleyball-not basketball; but in true Tiger fashion, others stepped up. Senior, Lilly Welch, played a major part in the volleyball team’s state championship with her hitting and tough serving and has been a leader in the basketball season. Likewise, junior, Jolie Stecher Jolie Stecher 6'0" | MB Stewartville | 2021 State MN (6′), held down the middle position in volleyball opposite with Lamb. In the game against Lourdes, Stecher was given the challenge of guarding, Alyssa Ustby. Ustby was in the top 150 players for girls basketball (as ranked by ESPN.) Stecher and their team put worth their best effort but it was impossible to slow down the University of North Carolina commit.
ThomfordeNext, Lourdes will take on Goodhue. They are in the Hiawatha Valley – Blue conference. With a 23-3 record for basketball, they may be able to take out Lourdes. The Goodhue players will hope that their deep bench is enough to outlast the offensive minded Eagles. Look for them to spread the ball among their many scorers including volleyball stars: shooting guard, Elissa Lodermeier (leading scorer with 11 pt. average), forward Joslyn Carlson , guard Arianna Thomforde, and Anika Schafer.
Rochester Mayo will take on the #1 seed, Farmington, this coming Friday for section 1AAAA. Both team have talented volleyball players. Mayo Spartans have Hannah Hanson Hannah Hanson 5'10" | S Rochester Mayo | 2023 State MN , a 5’7” freshmen, who has started in both basketball and volleyball. She juggles basketball along with the Southern Minnesota Volleyball club schedule. Her speeds helps her as a shooting guard and when grabbing rebounds. Look for her to continue to be a solid contributor for Mayo, as she averages close to 6 points per game. The leader of their team is Anna Miller, a 6’3” junior. In volleyball she is an asset to her team with her height and blocking, but in basketball she is able to showcase all of her talents. Miller leads the team in points and rebounds. In their victory over Northfield she had 20 points. Regularly featured on our sister site, PrepGirlsHoops, Miller will no doubt play basketball in college but she could easily make an impact on a volleyball team too.
Farmington GBBFarmington, took out a talented Rochester John Marshall, and Minnesota’s Girls Volleyball record holder for blocks, Lilly Meister. They are ranked higher than Mayo and will rely on Molly Mogensen, along with their dual sport athletes, Sophie Hart, 6’4” junior forward/middle and Paige Kindseth, a 5’9” shooting guard/outside hitter. Hart averages 15+ points per game. She and Rochester’s Mayo will be a fun match up as they battle down low on the block. Hart has the edge offensively and Miller leads in rebounding.
We are excited to see how the basketball season ends and even more ready for those players to get back to volleyball!