LAKERS READY TO BEGIN TITLE QUEST
The Prior Lake volleyball team is not about to let its preseason No. 1 ranking in Class 3A go to its head.
Championships are not won in August and that's what the Lakers are seeking this fall — the Section 2AAA title and the program's first-ever trip to state.
The Lakers will also be defending their South Suburban Conference title. They went 9-0 in the highly competitive league last year en route to a program-best 27 wins (27-3). Prior Lake fell to Chaska in three sets in the Section 2AAA title game last year.
"It's obviously nice to be recognized as a team that plays at a high level," said Lakers coach Mike Dean. "But we have a lot of work to do. I know the girls appreciate the No. 1 ranking, but we haven't served a ball yet in game.
"We are going to worry about what we control and just play the best volleyball we can," added Dean.
The Lakers return a ton of talent from last year, starting with the front line. Seniors Lara Schultz and Ella Francis are back to power the offense, along with junior Anna Martin and sophomore Kayla Bair.
Senior Olivia Spanton was also a strong offense player last year, along with sophomore CC McGraw. But one those two looks to be playing libero this fall.
Junior Ellie Veldman is back at setter and will be joined by senior Mara Fossum. Sophomore Maddie Bremer will also one to watch on the Lakers' front line.
"We have some competition in some spots," said Dean. "But we have a lot of experience back and a lot of talent."
Last March, the Minnesota State High School League reclassified all the sections for all the sports. And Section 2AAA for volleyball went from strong to downright, insanely powerful.
Not only was Eden Prairie and Minnetonka added to the field, but so was perennial power Marshall, last year's Class 2A state runner-up. Marshall has won four Class 2A titles the last six years, but the dominant program from the southwest corner of the state is now in Class 3A.
Ninth-ranked Shakopee is also in the 2AAA field with defending state champion Chaska. Chanhassen and Waconia are two more strong programs. The rest of the field includes Hutchinson, New Prague, Mankato West and Mankato East.
"The section went from really, really hard to really, really, really hard," said Dean. "If you make it out of this section, you will have earned it. The girls are excited for the challenge."
The Lakers will play in the Southwest Minnesota Challenge in Marshall Sept. 11-12. Prior Lake is also in the prestigious Eagle Invitational in Apple Valley Sept. 25-26 and the Bachman Invitational at Lakeville North Oct. 9-10.
Marshall is also in those three invites, so the Lakers could see the Tigers a few times before section play.
The Lakers play a very strong strong schedule. They're in the Side Out Classic in Hopkins Aug. 29 versus No. 8 Champlin Park at 7 p.m. Prior Lake is home to Chaska Sept. 2 at 7 p.m.
Prior Lake opens the SSC season Sept. 9 at No. 2 Eagan at 7 p.m.
The Lakers begin the season Aug. 27 at home versus Owatonna at 7 p.m.
"If we want to get to a higher level, we have to play against the best competition," said Dean. "We do that in our conference season and in our section."
The SSC has five ranked teams in the preseason Class 3A poll including No. 4 Lakeville North and No. 6 Rosemount.
Last fall, the Lakers' SSC title was their first. It was also the first time the program made it to the section final.
Schultz set the program's single-season record for ace serves, finishing with 73, which was 12 more than the previous mark. She also led the Lakers in kills with 339 and in blocks (31).
Francis was second in kills, finishing with 321, followed by Spanton (171), McGraw (141) and Martin (112). In blocks, Francis had 28, followed by Martin (25) and Bair (21).
Veldman was second on the team in set assists last year (432).
The Lakers will have to replace Brittany Leuthmers at libero, who was a five-year letterwinner. She left as not only the team's all-time digs leader but the MSHSL all-time leader. She finished with 2,016 career digs, which is more than 200 better than the previous record holder, Brittany Chambers of Jordan (1,802).
"Losing Brittany is a big; she was a great player for us," said Dean. "We could count on her every night. Either Spanton or McGraw will play there. Both are very talented and can play that spot at a high level."
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