The Faribault Falcon volleyball team made it to the Section 1 Class AAA semifinals last season. New head coach JoAna Lane was an assistant under Damian Fox, knows the girls and they know her.

The Falcons open their season at Nomeland Gym on Friday night against the New Prague Trojans. The game will be broadcast on Power 96 Radio 95.9FM, with coverage beginning about 6:45PM. I say about because you never know how long the ninth grade and JV matches will go.

I'm really looking forward to seeing the 2016 version of the Falcons.

It's always been my dream to have Faribault High School and Bethlehem Academy at the state tournament together. That dream could be fulfilled this season.

The Cardinals come into the season the top ranked team in Class A and have a lot of players back from the team that finished second at state last season.

Lane's cupboard isn't totally bare either. In fact, there are eight seniors on this year's Faribault team.

Senior Madison Rendler had to sit out a season from varsity action after transferring to the high school and is a very athletic outside hitter. Elana Palmer saw significant playing time in the middle and Grace Amacher is back as a very athletic libero.

The key is how well the setter and the rest of the team develop their chemistry. Junior Morgan West and senior Kyra Flom are listed as the setters on the roster.

Senior Meghan Knutson and sophomore Ellie Knutson are the other middle hitters for Faribault.

In addition to Rendler, senior Emily Phillips and juniors Jordan Houge and Lauren Isaacson are listed as outside hitters along with sophomore McKayla Armbruster. Senior Carina Dorr is the only player listed as a right side hitter.

Defensive specialists include seniors Grace Skjeveland and Kayce Kosanda.

New Prague and Faribault had nearly identical records last season with the Trojans beating the Falcons in New Prague 3-1. In fact, New Prague probably wishes they were in the Big Nine. They did not lose to a Big Nine team all year, defeating Northfield in five sets, Faribault in four, Mankato East in five sets and Mankato West in four.

The Falcons defeated Lakeville North in the first round of sections 3-1 before ending their season at Lakeville South while getting swept by the Cougars. New Prague lost their first-round match to Waconia in five sets.

After this match, Faribault hosts Northfield on September 8 and that will also be on the radio.

Lane is assisted this season by Eryn Harman, Lydia Gross and Tara Melchert.

Volleyballs- photo by Gordy Kosfeld
Volleyballs- photo by Gordy Kosfeld
loading...

More From KDHL Radio