AAA Section 6 Preview

Section 6AAA

2009 Champ: Wayzata (24-9)

Teams: Benilde-St. Margaret's, Edina, Hopkins, Minneapolis South, Minneapolis Southwest, Orono, Richfield, Robbinsdale Armstrong, Robbinsdale Cooper, St. Louis Park, Wayzata

The Call: Another section that is difficult to call. The defending section champion Wayzata Trojans obviously have to be on the short list when discussing Section contenders. They advanced to the State Final and lost to Shakopee last season and have every reason to believe they can return and be State Title worthy with a solid core of players. The Hopkins Royals have every reason to be considered contenders as they too play at a championship level and have matured. With an entire returning roster, the Minneapolis Southwest Lakers are not in awe of the competition and will be there in the end.

Benilde-St. Margaret's (14-14) With new coach Ted Reiff, the Red Knights will go after the North Suburban Conference this season led by middle Claire Hayden and defensive specialist Catherine Coleman. They finished 6-4 in the conference which was good for 5th place. That was after they reeled off a 9-1 record in 2008. They are loaded with 10 seniors this season whose maturity will have an impact on the conference and section playoffs.

Edina (9-18) The Hornets did not win a conference match won all of their matches outside the Classic Lake Conference and are stuck with the Lake Conference this season that adds the tough Eden Prairie Eagles. With an improvement from 6 wins in 2008 to 9 in 2009, the Hornets are in position to be better in 2010. Coach Emily Buehler likes her team's defense and will play off that. Returning are senior captains Jade Carter, Karen Halls and Grace Harvey. 3 other players return to give the Hornets a stable attack.

Hopkins (18-12) How good this team can be remains to be seen. When the Royals are discussed by section coaches, a level of respect is levied toward the team and coach Vicki Seliger-Swenson. Those thoughts are for good reason. The Royals were one game away from defeating Wayzata in the Section Finals last year holding a 2-1 lead. It evaporated however, and the sting for five its returning players is fresh. Swenson is not a stranger to State play as her teams have been to the Tournament recently in 2005 and 2007. Senior Jill Greenfield (329 kills) and Erin Ohlemann (681 assists) will pace the way. Both were All Classic Lake performers and will provide the much needed veteran leadership for the Royals. A pair of juniors will add to the attack as Taylor Lockett and Rebecca Woodstra return. One can not forget about 8th grade outside hitter Samantha Seliger-Swenson who brings a versatile game. Look out for the Royals, it will be a battle among the top teams in the section and they are poised to be in the mix.

Minneapolis South (12-15) It was an impressive conference season for the Tigers in 2009 who finished in second place at 10-2. However, they were 2-13 outside of the conference and graduated a large contingency of players including outside hitters Sarah Gaurkee and Dianna Martin. Middle Wanda Carter moved on and all three were All City Conference players. Seniors that will be relied upon this season will be outside hitters Chelsea Grover and Jazzmin Bauer. Denise Vostrom should handle the setting along with junior Natalie Lang for the Tigers this season.

Minneapolis Southwest (24-5) There is a lot of optimism surrounding this operation as they bring their entire team back for the 2010 season. Combining size and talent, the Lakers boast the likes of 6-1 outside hitter Rachel Polland and 6-1 middle Allison Adams. A long line of talented and steady players such as middle Samantha Dolezal, outside hitter Erin Bonlender and libero Patrice Noltimier will work as a team for coach Jackie Richter. When discussing section contenders, it is impertative to include the Southwest Lakers in the discussion.

Orono (10-18) This is another team that has a bright future, and it might be right now as the Spartans are tooled and ready to make a statement in the Wright County Conference. Viewed as a skilled team, the Spartans will bring three All Conference players to the floor each night in setter Jena Chuba (458 assists) and outside hitters Lexi Rinde (180 kills, 98 blocks, 222 digs) and Mariah Scharf (186 kills, 87 aces, 190 digs). They will be a team all opponents will have to be ready to play.

Richfield (6-18) Young, yet expereinced, versatile and athletic. Those are the words that can be used when describing the Spartans. Look out for Jessica January (104 kills) who is a force at the net. As an All Conference selection in the Classic Suburban, the Spartans will go through January yet will mix in 8th grade phenom Emily Christian. Junior Shayla Jeffers is in line to help lead in the setting department. The growth of the Spartans will be key this year as they continue to peak for what appears to be a bright future.

Robbinsdale Armstrong (22-6) They move to the already rough and tumble