Roundup: Carlton is Loaded

If there were a picture in the dictionary next to the word "scrappy," it probably would be a photo of the Carlton girls volleyball team. Last year the Bulldogs finished with a record of 29-4 and a sixth-place finish in the Class A Minnesota State volleyball tournament. The Bulldogs return the entire team from a year ago and would like to improve on that impressive season.

Carlton features one of the best setters in the area, as well as one of the best defensive teams in the region. Add in some power at the net, and it becomes a lethal combination.

"Overall, our defense is the key to our team," said longtime head coach Barb Soukkala. "We lost no one to graduation, and all of our returning starters are seniors and have been playing since eighth grade."

Soukkala is by far the longest-tenured volleyball coach in the area.

Up front the Bulldogs feature Tayler Nelson and Abby Mickle as powerful outside hitters with Ava Grondahl mixing it up in the middle. Holly Grondahl has moved to the right side to give the team a balance, which is led by setter Brynne Mickle - regarded by most in the area as one of the section's best setters.

Carlton features 10 seniors, an unheard of number even at much larger schools.

"Our goal is to get back to the state tournament," Soukkala said. "Our numbers are up with the younger girls and they are all working really hard at practice."

The main threat to a dominant Bulldogs team is Greenway, which is entering Section 7A after back-to-back Section 7AA runner-up finishes.

Panthers on the prowl again

After a 13-10 season the South Ridge Panther volleyball team would like to once again make some noise this season. The Panthers advanced to the third round of the sectional playoffs before bowing out to Cromwell.

The Panthers lost a pair of strong players in outside hitter Celia Olesiak and setter Shayna Preston, but the cupboard isn't bare for longtime head coach Brad Olesiak.

"Raina Schneider and Cambryn Olsen return for us at middle hitter," Olesiak said. "Also returning are outside hitter Abby Almer and setter Hailey Chandler."

Last week, teams got a chance to see what they need to work on prior to their season openers during the Polar League Jamboree, and that was no different for the Panthers.

"We struggled at times," Olesiak said. "Hopefully we will continue to get better as the season wears on."

Olesiak also points to Phylesha Preston as a starter for this season's squad.

"Our numbers as a whole are slightly down. So far practice has gone well."

Cardinals feature experience, strong athletes

The Cromwell volleyball team is hoping to build on a record of 21-5 last season and a team that gave problems to every team they faced last season. Now? The Cards hope to parlay a team that is deep with returning players into a state tournament visit.

"We have several returning players this year," said coach Amy Granholm. "We are hoping for a very successful season with the knowledge that our team has from the previous season and how each teammate plays the game."

The Cards will be as athletic as any team they play, as they feature players like Taya Hakamaki as a setter and hitter, Shaily Hakamaki as hitter and an all-around player, Josie Jokinen and Jordan Jokinen as hitters, and Andrea Pocernich and Sascha Korpela another are solid all-around players.

"As you can see, we have several returning players that played at the varsity level last year," Granholm said. "We have a nice team chemistry that hopefully will stay positive and continue to grow for a stronger team."

The biggest challenge for the Cards will be replacing Zayde Smith, who was a key setter for the team a year ago.

"We are working on a how a new setter will help lead the team," Granholm said. "We continue to build and practice our volleyball skills, being physically and mentally tough and building team chemistry."

Wrens young but talented

They may be young, but don't be shocked if this year's version of the Wrenshall volleyball team surprises teams. The Wrens graduated five of six starters from a team that went 14-5 a year ago, but they still return a talented group of girls.

Last year the Wrens were bounced from the sectional playoffs in the third round. The departure of Emily Adkins, Paige Johnson, Ashley Johnson, Cheyanne Carlson and Abby Belcastro would have most coaches struggling to fill holes in the lineup. But first-year head coach John Peterson thinks he has a pretty solid group ready to step in.

"We do have returning players like Anne Mattson as a right side hitter, Janae Sjodin on the outside, Maggie Sowada as a libero, Brooke Kent as an outside hitter and Jenna Johnson as a setter," Peterson said. "New players that we expect to help are Alexis Perry as a middle hitter, Lacy Lekander on the right side, Jordyn Harvey in the middle and Taylor Bryce on the outside."

A good sign for the Wrens is that more players are coming out. Last year a total of 27 girls participated on the three teams at the high school level, while this year there are 37 girls mong the squads.

"Our expectations are high this year, we have a great group of girls that put in a lot of effort and work everyday to better themselves," Peterson said. "We are a young team, but we will surprise some people. Practice has been great so far and the girls are working hard everyday. We have incorporated more cardio and lifting into the off-season process and will continue those efforts during the season."

Strong Eskomos team aims high

The Esko volleyball team lost just one match during the regular season last year. Unfortunately, the second loss came at the hands of North Branch in the sectional playoffs. North Branch went on to win the state volleyball tournament and Esko finished the season 16-2 overall.

The Eskomos return a talented group that will look to fight for a title again this season.

Among returning players are Dea DeLeon, who will be the libero and an outside hitter; Taiya Gregg will patrol the middle hitter position, and Brenna Stark is back as the team's setter. Zoie Johnson and Gabby Martenson will join DeLeon as outside hitters, and Jayden Karppinen is a solid back row defensive specialist.

"Our girls have been working very hard to improve their volleyball skills and get stronger in all aspects of the game," said Esko head coach Desi DeLeon.

The Eskomos have a number of players who played last season and started, or saw a lot of playing time in every match.

"We have a big core group back, which should help us throughout the season," DeLeon said. "We are strong and skilled. Staying healthy will be a big factor and we are hoping for a great season."

Rebels have new coach but experienced team

The Moose Lake-Willow River Rebels volleyball team has a new coaching staff as Kelsey Swanstrom takes over for Becky Jackson this season. With a nice core of key returning players, the Rebels are looking to make some noise in local volleyball circles this season.

"We have high expectations for this team and the work ethic this team has shown so far is refreshing and unbelievably exciting," Swanstrom said. "This group works hard, they stay positive and they are motivated players."

A huge key to this year's success is the fact they return a number of athletes who saw a lot of playing time a year ago. Setter DonnaMae Smith is back for her senior season, along with senior hitters Ellen Anderson and Maddy Prachar. Anderson will hit from the middle and Prachar on the right side. Add in junior outside hitter Skyla Thompson, as well as sophomore defensive specialists Rachel Werner and Ally Jensen-Fichtner, and you have a solid group that is experienced at the high school level.

"Practice has gone extremely well thus far," Swanstrom said. "Being a coach at a new program and taking over teams is always challenging, but these girls have made it an easy process."

New players in key roles this season are junior outside hitters Kennady Davis and Emily Bohnsack, plus freshman middle hitter Sarah Christy.

"The only returning coach this season is our ninth-grade coach, Olivia Bennett, who coached the junior high program last year," Swanstrom said. "Otherwise, my junior varsity coach, Becca Vaughan, and I have coached in the area for many years, but this is our first time in Moose Lake-Willow River. We are excited to work with such talented players and excited for this upcoming season."

Barnum looks for more wins with young team

It was a tough season last year for the Barnum volleyball team. The Bombers struggled in the win-loss column and eventually lost to section champion Carlton in the second round of the playoffs. Barnum is hoping that a new season will bring around a little different luck as well as more wins.

After losing a large group of players to graduation the Bombers will return starters Kendal Miletich as an outside hitter as well as setter Brooke Doran and Danna Weets, a back row specialist.

"We have a young group this season as we graduated seven last year," explained Barnum coach Corina Newman. "Looking for high expectations from our sophomores."

That sophomore group includes Lacie O'Leary as a right side hitter, Reese Miletich in the middle, and juniors Alina Lekander as an outside and Olivia Bogenholm as a middle hitter.

"Teaching the game and making right choices will be our main objective goal this season," Newman said. "Learning to trust teammates and playing as a team is also something we will work on and if we can reach some of these goals it's going to be a fun ride for this young group."

On Tuesday night the Bombers opened the season with an impressive 25-11, 25-12, 25-16 win over East Central.