2011 Fall Preview: Raptors volleyball team looks to reload

Last year, the East Ridge volleyball team clawed its way to the state tournament with emotional wins over Woodbury and Hill-Murray in the Section 4AAA tournament and went on to finish in fifth place in the Class AAA state tournament.

Minus eight graduates from last year’s 22-8 team, including standouts Felicia Ulrich, Dale Hoeffel and Kristen Jorgensen, East Ridge is looking for contributions from a number of players this season.

This year, the team needs to replace Felicia Ulrich and Dale Hoeffel, the Raptors’ top two players at the net last year, along with its setter Kristen Jorgensen and veterans Cassie Yurick and Jessica Bertrand.

Key returning players to the squad this season include: senior outside hitter Brandi Knupp, senior middle hitter Maggie Remke, junior outside hitter Margaret Eggert, junior setter Tess Kelzenberg and senior defensive stopper Cayla Kissner, while sophomores Mayakayla Sauro, Madeline Sullivan, Jamie Swanson and several freshman show promise as newcomers to the team.

The team will once again be led by head coach Lindsay Ashburn, who enters her second season with the club.

“We will work to get better everyday,” Ashburn said. “We have lots of young players with the ability to contribute.”

The Raptors have started the year 1-2 thus far with a season-opening win over New Life Academy followed by losses to Champlin Park and St. Michael-Albertville.

Big games remaining on the schedule include: vs. Cretin-Derham Hall on Thursday, Sept. 15, at East Ridge, at Woodbury on Tuesday, Oct. 11, which will be a Dig Pink event, and at home against Stillwater on Thursday, Oct. 13.

Tags: fall preview 2011, east ridge, sports, prepupdates, raptors, prep