The 2019 prep volleyball season is right around the corner and there’s no shortage of star players in the area. While each local team has players that can take over a game, the teams themselves as a whole could make for a fun fall.
The following is a look at five local players who are a must watch this season.
Olivia Tjernagel (Mayer Lutheran)
Mayer Lutheran’s Olivia Tjernagel is one of two Division I recruits in the area. The senior has been a star for the Crusaders in her previous three seasons, and in her final go around, will be looking to make a fourth-straight state tournament appearance.
Tjernagel had a monster junior season in 2018 for the Crusaders. She led the team in kills with 389, and set a new state record for blocks in a single season with 165.
While dominating the competition in 2018, Tjernagel also made her college decision official as she signed with University of Northern Iowa. If that’s not enough, Tjernagel wrapped up her summer playing volleyball in Florida alongside and against some of the top players in the country as part of Team USA’s Junior A1 team.
Back for her final season, Tjernagel will be a must-watch player this season for the Crusaders. Her ability to play all six spots on the court, as well as dominate at the net offensively and defensively has Mayer Lutheran poised for another exciting season.
Paige Thibault (Watertown-Mayer)
Just down the road from Mayer Lutheran lies another Division I recruit with tons of talent. Junior Paige Thibault has emerged as one of the top players in the area, if not the state for the Watertown-Mayer Royals.
Although the Royals lost a number of key seniors from last year’s team that led them to back-to-back state tournament appearances, the Royals have high aspirations once again with Thibault leading the way.
Thibault recently committed to play volleyball at the University of Virginia. With her college choice official, Thibault is ready to get her junior year rolling and is poised for a monster season as the go-to hitter for the Royals.
Just a sophomore last year, Thibault was the go-to hitter for the Royals after Janessa Berrios suffered an ACL injury. The Royals leaned on her and her powerful swing through the Section 5AA and Class AA tournament. She racked up 340 kills this season, but also was able to do it with her defense.
With Thibault being the most experienced player at the net back for the Royals, an even bigger kill number could be in line for her this season, making her a must-watch player.
Alexa Schumann (HLWW)
Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted’s Alexa Schumann has been a solid No. 2 option for the Lakers the past two seasons at the net. Now in her senior season, she’ll be on the go-to players all season long.
With Isabelle Roufs now gone after graduating, it’s Schumann that will likely have to fill the void for HLWW this season. Each season Schumann has taken a step forward. After being called up to the varsity midway through he freshman season, Schumann has been a consistent player all around for the Lakers.
The senior outside hitter can do it all. Whether it’s laying the hammer down for a kill, taking a kill away with a dig in the back row, or serving up another ace, Schumann is a threat anywhere on the court.
As the now go-to hitter for the Lakers, HLWW’s season could go as far as Schumann is able to take them.
Claudia Stahlke (Mayer Lutheran)
After being a nice role player for the Crusaders early on in her career, Mayer Lutheran’s Claudia Stahlke became a clutch and go-to player for the Crusaders last season. The senior middle hitter was a big reason the Crusaders were able to reach the state tournament for a third-straight season, and the awards came with that.
Stahlke was named All-State in Class A by the Minnesota Volleyball Coaches Association. She was an All-Conference selection for the MN River Conference. At the Class A showcase, which features some of the best teams in the state in Class A, Stahlke was named to the All-Tournament team.
Last season, Stahlke was second on the team in kills with 278. She averaged 2.5 kills per set, with a 36.9 kill percentage. Stahlke also had 111 blocks on the season, 36 of which were solo. She was no slouch defensively either, finishing with 36 digs.
What was even more impressive with her season is how she ended it. Stahlke became one of the top players on a deep Crusaders team. In the last five matches for the Crusaders last season, Stahlke finished with 12 or more kills in every one of them.
Back alongside Tjernagel for their senior year, the Crusaders have two highly talented athletes at the net to build around as they look to make it to a fourth-straight state tournament this season.
Kate Thibault (Watertown-Mayer)
While the Watertown-Mayer volleyball team does have some holes to fill this season, libero isn’t one of them. As an eighth-grader last season, Thibault took the court by storm with her impressive play. Now back as a freshman with a year of experience under her belt, Thibault could be one of the top liberos in the area, if not the state.
There’s a sense of pride of not letting a ball for Thibault. With a great knack for knowing where hitters are going, combined with a fiery competitiveness, Thibault brings a spark to each play for the Royals. With some new players stepping in this season, Thibault’s ability to keep volleys going could be a key piece to the success for the Royals this season.