Spring Grove volleyball (12-2, 28-5) comes off the most successful season in school history – a record 28 wins and first-ever state ranking. It was the pinnacle of consistent success. Not counting the shortened COVID season of 2020, the wins over the most recent seasons have been 28, 20, 19, 26 and 22. Last autumn, the Lions won two regular-season tournaments and reached the semi-finals of the Section 1A Tournament for a second straight season and for the fourth time all-time.
Photo by Lee Epps
All five losses came against state-ranked squads, including Class A state champion Minneota and state third-place Mabel-Canton. With a 12-2 conference record, the Grove girls were the SEC East runner-up to Mabel-Canton for the sixth time in the last seven years. In the classroom, SG earned the state coaches’ Academic Silver Award.
Five of last year’s nine-player rotation retain eligibility for 2023, but three of the four All-SEC honorees picked up diplomas. Two of the six-playerserving rotation return. Despite that experience, there is only one senior, two-year letter winner Katelyn Kraus (5’10” MB> 64 kills, 26 blocks).The most-honored veteran is All-SEC setter Kendal VanMinsel (5’11” Jr.> 729 assists, 6 kills, 22 blocks, 90.8% serving with 35 aces). The attack will also feature letter winner Joelle Halverson (5’9” Jr. OH> 134 kills). Defensive duties, including libero, will feature Honorable Mention All-SEC Sydney Holland (5’5” jr.> 139 digs, 89.9% serving, 42 aces) and freshman letter winner Izabel Kaufmann (5’5”> 135 digs, 90.2% serving).
Stepping up will be Lions who went 13-1 during B-team action, splitting with Mabel-Canton. notable are promising hitters Emerson Ingvalson(5’7” Jr. OH) and Jordis Neeley (5’10” Jr. MB) along with Hailey Normann (5’10” Soph. RS/OPP) and defensive specialist Katie Klug (5’6” Jr.). Also available are Kylie Hammel (5’10” Soph. MB), Brinley Middendorf (5’9” Fr. MB) and Jada Strinmoen (5’7” Fr. S).
Kelsey (Anderson) Morken returns for her ninth season as head coach at her alma mater, assisted again by Lion alum Taylor Elton. Veteran mentor Julianna Lile comes out of coaching retirement to again guide the junior high program with assistance from former Mabel-Canton standout Lexi Thorson.
Graduation left big shoes to fill, but there is plenty of natural ability and athleticism plus understanding of the game. The girls need to gain confidence as they embark on expanded varsity roles. As always, preseason state-ranked No. 2 Mabel-Canton is the SEC East favorite. Three of the top 10 are from Section 1A, including state-ranked No. 5 Bethlehem Academy and No. 7 Fillmore Central. In non-conference play, the Lions will defend their regular-season tournament titles at both Waukon and Goodhue and also return to the state Class A Showcase at Burnsville.
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Lions the Last 6 seasons (SG Volleyball)
2022…28-5 (12-2 SEC, 2nd East)
2021…20-10 (12-2 SEC, 2nd East)
2020….8-4 (5-4 SEC, 3rd tie East)
2019…19-10 (10-4, 2nd tie East)
2018…26-4 (12-2 SEC, 2nd East)
2017…22-7 (11-2 SEC, 2nd East)
total…123-40 (.755)
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Spring Grove Varsity Volleyball
08-28 at Southland
08-31 Houston (5:30)
09-05 Schaeffer Academy
09-07 at Mabel-Canton
09-12 Grand Meadow
09-16 at Waukon Tournament
09-19 Lanesboro
09-21 at LeRoy-Ostrander
09-22 Class A Showcase at Burnsville
09-23 Class A Showcase at Burnsville
09-26 at Houston
09-28 at Schaeffer Academy
10-03 Mabel-Canton
10-05 Kingsland
10-09 Glenville-Emmons (6 p.m.)
10-12 at Lanesboro
10-14 at Goodhue Tournament
10-16 at Lyle/Pacelli
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