The 2025 area volleyball season notably starts with some section changes. As it relates to Journal-covered teams, Rushford-Peterson has moved up to Class AA. Everybody else stays where they were (though there are changes elsewhere for both Section 1A and 1AA). Two teams (Fillmore Central, Chatfield) return looking for encores to state seasons a year ago. Squads from Caledonia, Mabel-Canton, Spring Grove, Grand Meadow, and Lanesboro also put together quality campaigns in 2024, and will look for repeat success.
Chatfield enters this year coming off a dominant TRC and Section 1AA run in 2024. Kristi Rindels’ Gophers took a broom to their league (10-0), grabbing their second straight undefeated TRC crown. Chatfield then whipped through the 1AA playoffs without losing a set to claim the school’s first ever state berth in volleyball. The Gophers were one set win away from making the 1AA finals, leading Hawley 2-1, but the Nuggets came back for the 3-2 win. Chatfield then fell to Albany 3-0 in the third-place game to take fourth place on the state stage. They finished at 29-6, a program-best win total. Another big year again looks likely. Chatfield had five All-TRC selections last year and only one graduated. Said departure was their best hitter though, four-time all-league pick and Class AA All-State selection Jaelyn LaPlante (5’8” OH > 445 kills on .311 hitting, 220 digs, 92.7% serving). LaPlante finished her career with 1,337 kills, which probably is the school record. But heading the returnees is three-time All-TRC selection Harper Goldsmith (5’9” Sr. setter). Also, a Class AA All-State pick and maybe the section’s top setter, Goldsmith (921 assists, 226 digs, 69 aces) enters her fifth year on varsity with over 2,000 career assists. Trindy Barkeim (5’8” Sr. OH > 344 kills, 189 digs, 50 aces) and Cora Bicknese (5’7” Jr. OH > 221 kills, 367 digs, 50 aces) are Chatfield’s top two returning hitters. Both earning All-TRC, they broke out last year (complimenting LaPlante), and will see more swings this season. Bicknese has over 1,000 career digs. Finally, Hannah Tweten (5’4” Sr. libero) made All-TRC as the Gophers’ primary defender, where she led the team in digs with 448 while also contributing 127 assists and 64 aces. Julia Goldsmith (5’9” Sr. MB/OPP) and Grace Schroeder (5’9” OH/OPP) are two other experienced returnees, and they join with Barkeim, Tweten, Goldsmith, Grace Patten (5’3” OH/DS), and a returning (from injury) Amaya Harmening (5’10” Sr. MH) to give the Gophers seven seniors. Chatfield has its TRC schedule including matches with Fillmore Central on September 4 (away) and Caledonia on September 9 (home). They have tourneys in New Prague (to open the season), Apple Valley, Burnsville (Class AA Showcase), and Burnsville again plus non-con matches with Pine Island (away) and Byron (home).
Fillmore Central enters the year coming off its second ever state appearance. Travis Malley’s Falcons battled a tough schedule, including tying Cotter for second place in the TRC (8-2). FC found the right line-up late. They upset two-time defending 1A champ Mabel-Canton in the section finals and took fourth place on the state stage, losing to West Central 3-0 in the third-place game. FC finished the year just 18-17, but with 11 losses to Class AA or AAA teams and four more to state qualifying A teams. The Falcons graduated five seniors including All-TRC pick Ella Dahly (5’7” RS > 188 kills, 315 digs, 42 aces) and All-TRC honorable mention selection Annika Mensink (5’8” MH > 177 kills, 40 total blocks). But the Falcons return six girls from last year’s 10-gal state rotation. Heading the cast are All-TRC selections, seniors Kyla Hellickson (5’8” OH) and Aubrey Daniels (5’6” setter). Hellickson (538 digs, 71 aces, 93 kills) has thrice been all-league and enters her fifth year on varsity. Daniels (team-best 380 assists, 182 digs, 96.9% serving) has twice been all-league and enters her fourth year. Hellickson should top 2,000 digs this year and Daniels has an outside chance for 2,000 assists. Lauren Dahly (5’8” > Jr. OH > 133 kills, 109 digs, 105 assists), Hannah Vaalemoen (5’7” So. Setter > 304 assists, 33 aces, 119 digs), and Josie Corson (5’4” Jr. DS > 163 digs, 93.8% serving) are three more key returning assets while Madi Zwart (6’0” So. MH > 88 kills) had 37 kills in three state matches a year ago. Cora Britton (6’0” MH) joins Hellickson and Daniels as FC’s third returning senior. The Falcons’ top three hitters from last year either graduated or are not out, but FC still have assets to be a contender in the TRC and section. The Falcons have their normal TRC schedule including dates with Chatfield (home) on September 4 and Caledonia (away) on September 23. They face JM and Stewartville at home in non-con action while going to Hayfield and Z-M. FC also has tourneys in Apple Valley, Burnsville (Class A Showcase), and Chaska.
Coming off a state run in 2023, Caledonia put together a solid season a year ago. The Warriors retooled under coach Dan Reinhart, going 6-3 in the TRC. They notably won the prestigious Class AA Showcase and made the 1AA final four, falling to Cotter 3-1 in the semifinals. Team Cal finished the year 21-10. The Warriors had four All-TRC picks with two graduating. Two-time all-league pick Liv Myhre (6’2” MH), the team’s leading hitter (456 kills, 43 aces blocks), and Sienna Augedahl (6’0” MH > 224 kills, 44 aces blocks, 41 aces), were the departures. They combined for 680 kills and 87 ace blocks. The two All-TRC returnees are Aubrie Klug (5’10” Sr. OH > 155 kills, team-high 360 digs) and Avery Augedahl (5’6” Jr. setter > 855 assists, 172 digs, 30 aces). Klug enters her senior year with over 1,000 career digs, having played on the 2023 state team. Joining those two as key returnees are Lauren Goetzinger (5’5” Jr. DS > 294 digs), Elsa Blum (5’9” Jr. OH > 114 kills, 152 digs), Paizley Lange (5’7” Jr. OH > 136 digs) and Kensey King (6’0” Sr. MH), who all played in at least 70 sets a year ago. Ashlyn Reinhart (5’8” Fr. DS) and Vivian Kittleson (5’7” Jr. DS) also saw some action. Klug and King are the team’s two seniors. Caledonia has its TRC schedule with matches versus Chatfield (away) on September 9 and Fillmore Central (home) on September 23. They have tourneys in Apple Valley, Burnsville (Class AA Showcase), and Lakeville. They also play non-conference matches versus Winona-Senior (season-opener), Cannon Falls, and Byron at home while going to Z-M.
Mabel-Canton enters the year having gone to back-to-back-to-back Section 1A title games. Lonnie Morken’s Cougars again whisked through the SEC schedule unbeaten (14-0), claiming the league title for a 27th straight year. But a third straight trip to state was annulled via a 3-1 upset loss to Fillmore Central in the 1A finals. M-C finished as 1A runner-up with a 34-3 record. The Cougars graduated a lot. Most notably moving on was Sahara Morken (5’5” setter > 84 kills, 1,099 assists, 319 digs, 97 aces), a three-time Class A All-State player and four-time All-SEC selection (including three-time Player of the Year honoree). Morken’s 4,662 career assists is top five in state history (and the M-C record). Also graduating were Saijal Slafter (5’8” MH > 282 kills, 61 aces, 206 digs), a four-time All-SEC pick with 1,234 career kills, and Lydia Vatland (5’4” libero > 190 digs, 39 aces), a two-time All-SEC pick. All told, M-C graduated eight seniors, six of which were every-match players. The Cougars’ likelihood to continue to reign atop the SEC may be as tenuous as it has been for a while. M-C still has a massive name in its sole returning All-SEC pick, three-time selection, and two-time All-Stater, Kinley Soiney (5’11” Sr. MH > 458 kills on .400-plus hitting, 90 total blocks, 190 digs, 55 aces). Already the Cougars’ all-time kill leader (1,735), the fifth-year starter is likely to get served up a bunch more. The rare 2,000 kill mark is very attainable. Tylar Wenthold (5’7” Sr. OH > 156 kills, 76 digs) is a second returning full-timer. Youngster Braylee Stortz (5’6” 8th grader > 54 kills) and Ella Halverson (5’8” Jr. MH > 50 kills) are the only other Cougars with double-digit returning kills while Lauren Burke (5’4” So. DS) played some back row. M-C’s top returning pure setter is Kaci Wangsness (5’6” So.) with just 27 assists. That will be the big question. Finding a new setter and retooling a lot of the line-up. Soiney, Wenthold, and Izzy Torgerson (5’8” RS) are the team’s three seniors. Halverson is the only junior. The Cougars have their SEC schedule including dates with Spring Grove on September 16 (home) and October 9 (away). They have tourneys at Floodwood, Heritage Christian Academy, and Burnsville (Class A Showcase).
Spring Grove comes off a fourth straight 20-plus win season. Kelsey Morken’s Lions went 22-8 in 2024 and earned their highest-ever #2 Section 1A seed. SG won a playoff match for an eighth straight year but fell to 7-seed Goodhue in five sets. All setbacks, except one, came versus state-ranked, 20-plus win, or larger schools. With a 12-2 mark, the Lions were SEC East runners-up to state-ranked Mabel-Canton for a fourth consecutive and eighth time in the last 10 seasons. Grove defeated SEC West champion Grand Meadow. Graduation losses were heavy, including all four multi-year All-SEC standouts and an Honorable mention: three-time All-SEC Kendal VanMinsel (5’11” setter > 622 assists, SG record 2,121 career assists, team-most 59 blocks, second-most 51 aces); two-time All-SEC, two-time Lion MVP Joelle Halverson (5’9” OH > team-most 246 kills, team-best 27% efficiency, 163 digs); two-time All-SEC Jordis Neeley (5’10” OH > team-most 58 aces, second-best 41% kill, second-most 232 kills, second-most 57 blocks); two-time All-SEC Sydney Holland (5’5” DS/libero > team-high 267 digs, second-best 94.3% serving, 40 aces) and SEC HM pick Emerson Ingvalson (5’8” OH > team-best 94.8 % serving, 171 digs). Three of nine letter winners return, all major contributors. Three-time letterwinner Izabel Kaufmann (5’4” Jr. DS/libero) had the second-most digs (175) and second-best service ace percentage (18.1%). Two-time letterwinner Hailey Normann (5’10” Sr. OPP) had the second-best kill percentage (40.2%), third-most blocks and the fourth-most kills (135). Brinley Middendorf (5’10” Jr. MB) had the fourth-most blocks (32). Also expect major contributions from talented 2024 Most Improved Player Kylie Hammel (5’10” Sr. MB), who missed much action while injured but had the fourth-best kill percentage (34.8%). Eighth grader Claire Sherburne (5’5”) will assume setting duty. Jada Strinmoen (5’6” Jr. OH) set for last year’s 11-1 B-team, but will now see primary duty at outside hitter along with Madison Lile (5’5” Sr. OH). Returning from the varsity roster with expanded roles are senior defenders Carlie Halverson (5’6”) and Elle Berns (5’3”). Other senior candidates are Callie Peterson (5’0” MB), Savannah Holty (5’1” DS) and Reagan Storlie (5’3” DS). Also earning a varsity uniform is Lauren Hammel (5’8” So. OH). The Lions open the season by hosting Lyle/Pacelli. The non-conference slate all comes during two tournaments at Rochester and Goodhue. Critical SEC East matches versus Mabel-Canton are September 16 (away) and October 9 (home).
Grand Meadow grabbed last year’s SEC-West title, its ninth in a row, and progressed to Rochester for the section semis for a first time since 2018. The SuperLarks went 11-3 in the SEC and 16-14 overall. GM’s season ended with a loss to Mabel-Canton 3-0 in the 1A quarters. This year starts with Cathy Paul taking over as head coach for Matt Rosaaen (who is assisting at Spring Grove). Team GM had a trio of All-SEC picks, with only one graduating. But said departure was three-time all-league selection Lauren Queensland (5’10” MH > team second-best 174 kills and 285 digs, 98.6% serving), a 1,000 career-dig player. She was one of four seniors, three of which were every-match girls. The Larks return two All-SEC picks in setter Hallie Hendrickson (5’8”) and top hitter Gracie Foster (5’7” OH), both seniors. Hendrickson surpassed 1,000 career assists last year in helming the Lark offense (659 assists, 58 aces on 92.4% serving, 158 digs, 50 kills). Foster led GM with 189 kills while finishing with a team third-best 235 digs. The Larks also return continuity with libero Cheyenne Bakken (5’4” Sr. > team-best 326 digs), who enters her third year of varsity action. She could make 1,000 career digs. Kendall Jack (5’7” Sr. MH > 137 kills, 98 digs) and Regan Schaalma (5’7” Sr. DS > 93 digs) are two other returnees to play in 70-plus sets last year. Mckayla Gregerson (5’5” DS) and Alyx Link (RS) join the above mentioned to give GM seven seniors. GM has its SEC schedule including opening at Lanesboro while finishing at home versus Mabel-Canton. They have a tourney at Pine Island while also hosting a home event Saturday, September 20.
Lanesboro put together a solid season a year ago. The Burros went 9-5 in the SEC, finishing third behind Mabel-Canton and Spring Grove in the East. Frankie Kohn-Nelson’s Burros were then downed 3-1 by Grand Meadow in the first round of the 1A playoffs. They finished the year 17-14. The Burros will have a new head coach, as former assistant and Mabel-Canton graduate/stand-out Courtney Graves takes over the program. Lanesboro had a trio of All-SEC picks last year with Taylor Hanson (5’11” MH > 142 kills, 68 total blocks) the sole graduation. She was one of seven seniors. The Burros top returnees are all-league picks Jensyn Storhoff (5’6” Sr. setter/OH > 129 kills, 428 assists, 394 digs, 99 aces), a two-time All-SEC pick and their best overall player, and third-year libero Ellie Howard (5’6” Sr. > 421 digs), their top defensive player. Storhoff has over 1,000 career digs as she enters her fifth varsity season. Howard should accomplish the milestone this year. From there, Sari Rein (5’8” Sr. MH), Jentrey Schreiber (5’9” Jr. OH), Hailey Erickson (5’7” Sr. OH), Emma Ruen (5’7” So. Setter/RH), Kaylee Gilbertson (5’6” So. DS), and Irelynn Papenfuss (5’4” Jr. DS) are other notable returnees. Storhoff, Howard, Rein, Erickson, and Ellianna Cassmann (5’6”) are the teams’ five seniors. Lanesboro will try to move up in the East with powers M-C and SG graduating a combined seven All-SEC kids. The Burros have their SEC schedule including opening with Grand Meadow (home) while also taking on Mabel-Canton (away) and Spring Grove (home) in their first four contests. They have tourneys at Wabasha-Kellogg, Waukon, and Byron.
After back-to-back trips to Rochester and the section quarters, Rushford-Peterson could not find that same success last year. The Trojans went 4-6 in the TRC and 10-14 overall. They fell narrowly to Goodhue in the first round of the 1A playoffs 3-2. R-P graduated six seniors with leading hitter Lindsey Hoiness (5’7” OH > 204 kills, 245 digs) being the most notable. Head coach Jenny Lee returns five girls who played in at least 60 sets. Included are All-TRC pick Torryn Schneider (5’6” Sr. OH), and All-TRC HM selection Addison Drinkall (5’4” Fr. Libero). Schneider notched a team second-best 170 kills and 325 digs while leading the team with 38 aces on 94.2% serving. Drinkall led the team in digs with 355 as just an eighth grader. After those two, R-P’s co-setters, Avree Connaughty (5’5” Sr. setter > 302 assists, 159 digs, 30 aces) and Kayla Magin (5’6” Sr. > 245 assists, 137 digs) return, as do Ava Helgemoe (5’8” Sr. MH > 138 kills) and Shelby Tesch (5’10” Sr. RH > 70 kills). Nadia Happel and McKenna Smith join the above five to give R-P seven seniors. The Trojans have their TRC schedule including matches with Caledonia (away) on August 26, Chatfield (away) on September 30, and Fillmore Central (home) on October 14. Non-conference matches are with Medford (season-opener), Southland, Goodhue, and Houston all at home. They take on tourneys in Lake City, Grand Meadow, and Goodhue.
Under first year coach Robin Thesing, Houston went 6-8 in the SEC last year. The Hurricanes won a play-in playoff game but fell to Mabel-Canton 3-0 in the 1A Round of 16. Team double-H finished last year 10-16. The Hurricanes graduated their two All-SEC honorees in all-league pick Emily Botcher (5’10” OH > team-best 240 kills and 45 aces, 229 digs) and honorable mention selection Ellasyn Carrier (5’5” DS > team-best 288 digs). They were two of three total seniors to graduate, with all contributing. Heading this year’s cast are key returnees, setter Olivia Yohe (5’5” > 406 assists, 184 digs), Jorja Meyer (5’10” MH > 103 kills), Cadence Koehler (5’5” DS/libero > 198 digs), Averie Evanson (5’10” OH > 64 kills), and Taylor Stutzka (RH), all seniors, plus junior Emmie Melbo (5’5” RH > 139 d1igs). Each saw action in at least 50 sets a year ago. Aspyn Knutson (DS) joins Meyer, Yohe, Koehler, Evanson, and Stutzka to form a six-girl senior group. Avery Kingsley would be another senior, but for a second straight season, she will be manager per a knee injury. Houston has its SEC schedule including opening with Southland (home) and finishing at LeRoy-Ostrander. Matches with Spring Grove are September 11 (away) and October 7 (home). The Hurricanes have tourneys at Cotter and Wabasha-Kellogg.
After sharing the SEC-West title in 2023 and going 19-11 overall, LeRoy-Ostrander could not replicate said success a year ago. The Cardinals went 8-6 in the SEC and 12-16 overall. Lindsay Milks’ group fell to Kenyon-Wanamingo 3-0 in the 1A Round of 16. L-O had one All-SEC pick in Benita Nolt (5’11” MH > team-leader 309 kills and 54 aces, 209 digs) and an All-SEC HM pick in Brooke Jasper (5’8” MH > 145 kills, team-leader 264 digs), but each graduated. The duo scored 454 of the teams’ 733 total kills. Nolt earned three All-SEC nods and finished her career with 1,029 kills. All told, three full-time seniors graduated. Key returnees this year are setter Meah Stevens (5’2” Sr. > 523 assists, 191 digs), Maria Almaraz-Nolt (5’8” Jr. OH > 80 kills, 151 digs), Tessa Lewison (5’1” Fr. DS/libero > 116 digs), Miranda Nagel (5’8” Jr. MH > 68 kills, 40 aces), Addie Harn (Sr. DS > 101 digs), Kendall Olson (5’8” Sr. OH), and Madi Stern (5’9” Fr. MH), as 10 Cardinals played in at least 50 sets last year. Stevens returns at setter and Almaraz-Nolt is the top returning attack (but with just 80 kills). Stevens, Olson, and Harn are the teams’ seniors. The Cards have their SEC schedule including opening at Schaeffer Academy. They play GM on September 4 (away) and 30 (home). L-O has tourneys in Hayfield, Wabasha-Kellogg, and Goodhue.
Kingsland broke in a new coach in Cassie Watson last year. It was a tough season for the Knights. They went 3-11 in the SEC and 5-22 overall. The Knights’ season ended at the hands of Blooming Prairie 3-0 in playoff play-in game. Three relied-upon seniors graduated. Tanna Opseth takes over as head coach. The Knights had no pure All-SEC picks a year ago. Their only honored player was Paisley Robinson (5’5” Sr. libero), who made All-SEC HM. She is one of six returning seniors. Classmates Caisa Kolling (5’6” OH/RS), Emma Howard (5’5” setter/RS/OH), Kaelynn Howard (5’5” OH/RS), Kalyn Stier (5’9” MH), and Dasanay Brewster (5’7” OH) are the others. Jill Moore (5’5” DS/libero) and Chloe Drury-DeBoer (5’4” setter/RS) are two other notable returnees from the junior class, which also includes Mylah Montgomery (5’9” MH), Taylor Lawson (5’5” RS), and Skylar Lentz (5’8” MH). Aliyah Holland (5’5” Fr. OH/RS) is a notable underclassman. With a majority of their roster back, including 11 upperclassmen, the Knights will try to add to their win total. They have their normal SEC schedule, starting with Lanesboro (home), then at GM. The Knights have tourneys at Lake City and Wabasha-Kellogg.
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