AAA Section 3 Preview

Section 3AAA

2009 Champ: Burnsville Blaze (23-10)

Teams: Apple Valley, Bloomington Jefferson, Bloomington Kennedy, Burnsville, Eagan, Eastview, Lakeville North, Lakeville South, Park of Cottage Grove, Rosemount, Simley

The Call: This is an interesting blend of teams. A very competitive section to say the least, there are incredibly talented young teams yet experienced at the same time. Two that stick out are Bloomington Jefferson and Lakeville South. The young Lakeville North Panthers are considered by some to be the top team in the pre-season rankings. Apple Valley is a team that falls into the category of solid veteran talent and great young players as well.

The Eastview Lightning keep sticking out as the team to beat this season from the scribes of FoxPreps. They had a lot of attention with All State outside hitter Lauren Grant. They bring on an All State outside hitter in Ashley Murtha and All Conference setter in Kelsey Schile. Along with a solid coaching staff, they may be the team to come out. One can not rule out Lakeville North and Bloomington Jefferson is focused on the prize and have developed every year. This section will be fun and is wide open.

Apple Valley (16-12) The Eagles were known as the standard in high school volleyball from the late 70's to 2001 where they complied 13 State Tournament appearances that netted them titles in '85 and '92. Getting there first will be on the list of things to do for the Eagles and they are on their way after a 16-12 campaign. Plenty of talent is on this year's roster and it includes All Lake Conference setter Taylor Voss. She is joined by Honorable Mention outside hitter Melissa Racz and middle Aly Johnson. Keep an eye on dynamic sophomore outside hitter Shanotta Bawek who along with middle Loren Moe will help fuel a solid Eagle squad.

Bloomington Jefferson (17-12) The Jags are focused and have the personnel to to be more than bit players in this show. They still carry a nucleus of junior players who have grown up with coach Michelle Grice who is in her fourth season. It has been a steady upward trend for Jefferson as they have won 4,15, and 17 matches each of the past three seasons. Haley Bodway delivered 449 kills as the junior looks to have a banner season. Emily Schadow pitched in with 789 assists and libero Brittany Scherber was one shy of 300 digs this year. Stepping up will also be Kelly Wollak who brought 171 kills to the table and keep your eye on Cassie Santiago at the libero position. The Jags will have to be considered in any discussions among the top teams in the section.

Bloomington Kennedy (7-20) It is time for the Eagles to step into a prominent role in the new South Suburban Conference and according to coach Clarence Maeng, his group of talented juniors will need to accept the role as leaders. His team will be solid defensively and are led by a pair of 6-3 middles in Heather Bachman (114 kills, 72 blocks) and Karin Bull. Earning All Lake Conference Honorable Mention last year was junior setter Aliana Brown who had 142 assists.

Burnsville Blaze (23-10) Last year's section champions will have to find a way to replace one of the State's most dynamic players in Tori Dixon who along with Shakopee's Ashley Wittman is off to the University of Minnesota. It is not every day that a team works to replace an All-State Player, let alone an All American. Departed as well is All Lake setter Abby Olson and middle Molly Duehn. There is plenty to look forward to for the Blaze as libero Camille Benson (509 digs) will solidfy play in the back row. Look for Alli Bulter, a junior, to take the setting role vacated by Olson. The season will require work and as all team's know with hard work, success usually is not far behind.

Eagan (16-12) The Wildcats are working to steady improvement and will be playing for coach Lesley Bonin for the third season. Her team has improved from 14 to 16 wins in their first two seasons together. They have a solid shot at the South Suburban Conference title which could put them in line in the section as well. Katie Kvas will handle the setting and she will be working with outside hitter Kyndra Beekman (187 kills), middle Sarah Linder (172 kills), and libero Katite Willems who dug 178 last season. With 8 trips to the State Tournament since 1996 and half of those appearances resulting in State Titles, the Wildcats know a thing our two about executing in their history.

Eastview (20-8) The Lightning had their sights on back-to-back State Tournaments come to an end last season in the Section Finals as they fell to Burnsville. Departed is All State middle Lauren Grant. They are still formidable as another All State player returns in outside hitter Ashley Murtha. She works well with All Lake Conference setter Kelsey Schile who returns as well. The Wildcats have a fantastic coach in Becky Egan who of course starred at Bloomington Jefferson and the University of Minnesota. With 5 seniors and 3 juniors on the returning roster, the Wildcats