Conference Preview: HVL
In the south-eastern part of the state, we have the Hiawatha Valley League. This is the home to the Stewartville Tigers, reigning state champions for 2A. We have seen some of our biggest prospects come out of the HVL. This…
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Continue ReadingIn the south-eastern part of the state, we have the Hiawatha Valley League. This is the home to the Stewartville Tigers, reigning state champions for 2A. We have seen some of our biggest prospects come out of the HVL. This year will be no different with 12 teams filled with talented players.
Top 3 teams:
- Stewartville Tigers – With a handful of returners, the tigers will be favorite in the conference along with the state title. Erin Lamb Erin Lamb 6'3" | MB Stewartville | 2021 State MN , University of Kentucky commit, returns as one of the most dominate players in the whole state and a likely candidate for the Ms. Baden title. Lamb has fought through minor injuries and if she can stay healthy this season expect her team to make quick work of the shortened season. Running the Tiger’s offense is senior, setter Jaidyn Brower Jaidyn Brower 5'8" | S Stewartville | 2021 State MN who ended the 2019 season with close to 1031 assists. This year, they will look to their deep bench for more support. Regan Reker Regan Reker 6'0" | OH Stewartville | 2023 State MN (2023) returns to the varsity squad and is likely to be a main fixture in the front row. At 5’11’’, the Tigers will likely use the powerful play on the right side for blocking and pin-hitting. Allie Elliot Allie Elliot 5'11" | OH Stewartville | 2022 State MN (2022) and Arianna Blohm Arianna Blohm 6'0" | MB Stewartville | 2023 State MN (2023) will also add to offense.
- Kasson Mantorville Komets – They went 24-5 last year and came close to taking out Stewartville in sections. This could be the season for the previously “young” team to outshine their competitors. A skilled defensive team with a bounty of skilled hitters. Look for Mya Suess (MH), Noelle VanOrt (OH) and
Maddie Converse
Maddie
Converse
5'10" | S
Kasson-Mantorville | 2022
State
MN
(S) to be the core of the offense this year. Other key contributors include
Addy Bzoskie
Addy
Bzoskie
5'7" | OH
Kasson-Mantorville | 2022
State
MN
(OH) and Anna Braun (OH). Strategic serving and a variety of hits will make it hard for the other teams to knock off the Komets.
- Lake City Tigers – We have watched them become more competitive within the HVL over the last five years. Known for their size and hitters, they have improved other aspects of their game to become a big threat. Hannah LaBonte (2021) is great at hitting angles out of the middle. At 5’8’’ she is one of the smaller athletes in the middle, but her agility at the net makes her hard to block. Fellow seniors, Olivia Pennington Olivia Pennington 6'0" | OH Lake City | 2021 State MN , Gracie Pierson and Delaney Issendforf will even things out on the outside for the Tigers. They have the experience of having faced off with Stewartville and will aim to do it all again with this seasoned group.
Top 2 Challengers: Two teams with the most potential to shake things up this year are likely: Bryon Bears and Cannon Falls Bombers. We have seen these two programs improve and climb in rank. Bryon is tall, young and athletic and Cannon Falls has an efficient and scrappy.
- Byron’s top athletes: Sacia Vanderpool Sacia Vanderpool 6'4" | MB Byron | 2021 State MN (6’4’’; 2021), Lauren Fjerstad (5’9’’; 2024) and Makana Schroeder (5’9’’; 2023)
- Cannon Fall’s leaders: Jaci Winchell Jaci Winchell 5'7" | S Cannon Falls | 2022 State MN (5’6’’; 2022) and Makayla Bowen (5’6’’; 2021)