AAA Section 5 Preview

Section 5AAA

2009 Champs: Centennial Cougars (24-7)

Teams: Blaine, Centennial, Champlin Park, Coon Rapids, Irondale, Maple Grove, Moundsview, Osseo, Rogers, Spring Lake Park, Totino Grace

The Call: A balanced section, the 5AAA will offer up plenty of drama this season. The Centennial Cougars are the defending champions of the section and are considered the favorites. They have plenty of resistence in a talented section that features the Osseo Orioles, Maple Grove Crimson, Moundsview Mustangs, Blaine Bengals, and Totino Grace Eagles. Right now, the Cougars have the bulls-eye on their backs and it will be an exciting race to the State Tournament. With the Cougars in the drivers seat, this section is too tough to call as they will have to once again earn their way to the State Tournament which suits them just fine.

Blaine (18-10) A high level Northwest Suburban Conference program, the Bengals re-tooled last year and were an impressive 7-2 in the conference with their losses coming to Centennial and Osseo. They are experienced and know how to win through their experiences last year. Elizabeth Hawkins is an All Conference setter as she was prolific with 684 assists. Hawkins will set up seniors Tanner Heyl (143 kills, 246 digs), and Megan Bauer (102 kills). Junior Sydney Dimke (133 kills) adds to their impressive depth. They also have solid defensive play and are led by junior Taylor Dordan (224 digs. They have made 5 State Tournament appearances and had back to back efforts in 2006-2007. It is a tough road, yet never count out the Bengals as they have a balanced attack to give teams in the section trouble.

Centennial (24-7) This team has played together since 7th grade and it shows on the court. The 2010 season was believed by most pundits to be the Cougars year, yet they crashed the State Tournament party a projected year early. Depsite losing some key members to last season's team that included middle Megan Waytashek and Abby Mohr. They also are charged with absorbing the loss of outside hitter Amanda McAulay and setter Krista Stoltz. All four picked up All Conference or Honorable Mention honors. Superstar Leigh Pudwill anchors a team as an All State Honorable mention who is a force at the net (369 kills, 228 digs). Senior Hannah Glocke paces the offense and the setter was impressive last year with 529 assists. The Cougars are the team to watch in the NWSC and the 5AAA.

Champlin Park (14-13) The Rebels finished over.500 and have a sophomore outside hitter in Taylor Goar (237 kills) who is the real deal. They displayed steady improvement last season. After a 20-7 record in 2007, the Rebels slipped to 11 wins in '08 and upped that to 4 last season. Goar will be surrounded by 5 seniors and 3 juniors on this seasons team.

Coon Rapids (10-17) The Cardinals will open the 2010 season with a new coach as Heidi Collins takes the reigns for the Cardinals and is known for building programs. The Cardinals have not been to a State Tournament since 1978, and have won 7, 9 and 10 matches the past three seasons. Look for Paige Jones to be a key contributor this season as the Cards will deal with the graduation of All Conference middle Alysha Reinhardt. Collins likes challenges, and also is pleased to be in the competitive Northwest Suburban Conference and the tough Section 5AAA.

Irondale (10-16) This could be an interesting year for the Knights as they re-tool from the loss of All North Suburban middle Allison Kraft moves on to college. Setter Jenny Orren is still in the house and she will be key in leading the offense with a pair of senior outside hitters in Becca Wright and Jessica Goodsell. Junior Erin Sully should figure in the Knights efforts as well as junior Maddie Mottaz.

Maple Grove (13-13) Even though this team was .500 last year, each coach in the conference and section have identified this team as the real deal. In fact, the perception is that this team has as much individual talent as any in the section and coach Steve Getchell, a 300 game winner, and his efforts will be to keep this club in sync. Only one senior graduated from this team leaving the rest of the team returning in tact. All Conference outside hitter Alexis Wong is back and is joined by fellow senior outside hitter Emily Gillman. Senior Mallory Johnson (146 kills) works the middle and is joined by Lauren Millen. The have plenty of depth and options as sophomore Erin Engel (115 kills) and senior Stephanie Davison (111 kills) will be added to the mix. All eyes, including FoxPreps will be on this veteran team this season.

Moundsview (16-11) Look out for the Mustangs. Veteran coach Tom Weko has a team that he is comfortable with and believes they can be at the top of the Suburban East Conference this season. After finishing 5-4 last year and 16-11 overall, the Mustangs are ready to make a move after a last place finish in the conference during the 2008-2009 season. It will be tough to replace middle Megan Lauck who is the all time kills leader