Posted: 11/6/02

Wildcats return to defend state title

The Eagan Wildcats in Class AAA and the Fosston Greyhounds in Class A return to seek their second consecutive titles.

In Class AAA two teams are returning from the 2001 qualifying field ñ the defending champions from Eagan and the consolation champions from Marshall.

Five of the eight teams competing were also ranked in the final state coaches association poll.
Forest Lake is the only Class AAA school making its first appearance.

ïÝClass AAA Quarterfinal Highlights:

ï Chaska (23-6) vs. Albany (27-2).

The Chaska Hawks are making their 11th appearance, but their first since 1997. They won Class AA titles in 1991, 1993, 1994 and 1996 and finished as runners-up in 1989 and 1995. They were ranked No. 5 in this year's final coaches poll. During the regular season the Hawks lost to qualifiers Marshall 2-0 and Lakeville 3-1.

Eagan also defeated them twice - 3-0 and 2-0. Junior Sam Pearson led Chaska with 820 attacks and 337 kills. Sophomore Megan Frey added 53 aces, 335 kills, and 60 blocks. Sophomore Heather Waibel also had 862 assists in 68 games. As a team, the Hawks had a hitting percentage of .252 on 1,276 kills.

Chaska has great versatility within its line-up and a tremendous ability to battle back from a deficit. The Albany Huskies return for their third appearance, but their first since 1997. They were not ranked in the final poll and did not face any other tournament qualifiers during the regular season. Senior Vickie Braegelmann leads the Huskies with 326 kills and 52 blocks. Junior Kari Wolford added 268 kills, and senior Charlotte Mergen added 52 kills and 25 blocks. Braegelmann, Mergen, and junior Christina Griffith were academic All-State players. The Huskies are an excellent serving team and run a multi-zone, multi-tempo offense that is hard to defend. They have a team hitting percentage of .270 and a .91 serving percentage.

ï Eagan (22-2) vs. Robbinsdale Armstrong (27-0).

This is a rematch of a regular season contest that Robbinsdale Armstrong won 2-0. The Wildcats of Eagan return to defend their 2002 title in their seventh consecutive and overall appearance. In addition to last year's title, the Wildcats also claimed Class AA championships in 1997 and 1998, and finished as Class AAA runners-up in 2000. The Wildcats, who were ranked No. 2 in the final coaches poll, defeated qualifiers Marshall 2-1, Totino-Grace 3-0, and Lakeville 3-0 during the regular season. Eagan also defeated Chaska twice - 2-0 and 3-0.

The Robbinsdale Armstrong Falcons return to the tournament after a one-year absence. This is their 14th overall appearance. They won five consecutive Class AA titles between 1980 and 1984 and were the Class AAA champions in 2000. They also finished as the Class AA runners-up in 1988. This year's squad was ranked No. 1 in the final coaches poll. Eagan was the only other qualifying team that Armstrong faced. Neither team provided any team or individual statistics.

ï Lakeville (22-5-1) vs. Forest Lake (23-7).

Lakeville, which was ranked No. 10 in the final coaches poll, returns for its ninth appearance, its most recent in 2000. The Panthers finished as the Class AA runners-up in 1987 and 1990, but they have never won a state title. During the regular season Lakeville lost to Eagan 3-0. They also split a series with Marshall, losing 2-0 and winning 2-0.

The Forest Lake Rangers are making their first tournament appearance. They were not ranked in the final poll. During the regular season, the Rangers lost to Robbinsdale Armstrong 2-0.
Forest Lake is led by a balanced group of hitters. Katie Thompson has a team-high 300 kills followed by Molly Thompson (278), Mary Sobiech (191), Tara Kent (178).

ï Marshall (25-3) Totino-Grace (21-7-2)

No. 3-ranked Marshall is making its second consecutive and 14th overall tournament appearance. The Tigers are hoping to improve on last year's consolation championship finish. In the past the Tigers highest finishes were as Class AA runners-up in 1979 and 1992. During the regular season Marshall defeated Chaska 2-0, but lost to Eagan 2-1. The Tigers also split a series with Lakeville, winning one match 2-0 and losing the second by the
same score. Marshall did not provide any team or individual statistics.

The unranked Eagles of Totino-Grace return for their third appearance, but their first since 1990. They have never won a championship. This year's team is led by junior Theresa Naumann, who had 153 kills and 139 blocks. Senior Kelli Sorenson added 281 kills, and senior Christina Higgins added 142 kills and 78 blocks. Sophomore Jennifer Sheedy added 182 kills and 116 blocks off the bench. Totino-Grace credits its success to its senior leadership, excellent passing, and offensive options.

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