Vikings look to defend state title

Minneota, the defending Class A state champions, started out the 2021-22 season with three straight wins and are now riding a 46-game win streak over parts of three seasons.
The Vikings went 31-1 in the 2019-20 season when the state tournament was cancelled with the team in the semifinals. The Vikings won their final 18 games of that the season and then went 25-0 last season in capturing the state title.
Minneota looks to maintain its perennial power status with 12 letterwinners returning, including three starters in Natalee Rolbiecki, McKenna Yost and Jeren Rost.
"We have a lot of experience back," said Minneota coach Chad Johnston, who begins his 21st season as head coach. "We return three starters and the first three players off the bench from last year. The experience should help throughout the season."
The Vikings' strengths most years are a relentless press that forces an abundance of turnovers, and a solid transition game. This year's team will again be utilizing those strengths.
"We are still athletic and run the floor well," said Johnston. "We should be able to pressure some teams on defense."
Rolbiecki, a 5-10 senior forward, averaged 14.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game last season. Quick with excellent leaping ability, Rolbiecki can score inside or outside. She had 1,134 points entering this season and tossed in 27 more in the season opener.
Yost, a 5-7 senior guard, averaged 6.7 ppg last year and has developed into a strong outside shooter. She netted 24 three-pointers a season ago.
Rost, a 5-10 senior post, came on strong in the second half of the season last year and played well in the state tournament. She averaged 5.1 points and 4.0 rebounds per game last season.
The top reserves back from last season are Kennedi Jurrens, a 5-11 senior post who averaged 2 points and 3 rebounds per game; Ireland Stassen, a 5-9 junior forward who averaged 5.6 points; McKenzie Tolk, 5-7 senior guard who averaged 2.5 points, 1.6 assists and 1.5 assists; and Grace Hennen, a 5-7 sophomore guard who averaged 2 points and 2 rebounds per game.
This varsity group will have to make up for a combined 30 points and 14 rebounds, 7 assists and 6 steals per game from two graduated seniors, Abby Hennen (21.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 4.2 apg, 3.2 spg) and Abby Rost (8.6 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 3.0 apg. 2.9 spg).
"We're going to need people to be aggressive and step up in the area of scoring," Johnston said. "Every year you lose good players and last year was no exception. We will really miss (Hennen and Rost's leadership. We will have six seniors on this year's team, so they really need to step into that leadership role collectively as a group."
Other varsity players who will see playing time are Morgan Moorse, a 5-10 senior post; Kenadi Arndt, a 5-11 sophomore forward; Dakoda Hennen, a 5-7 sophomore guard; Faith Myhre, a 5-8 sophomore guard; and Emma Bottelberghe, a 5-8 sophomore forward.
Johnston will again be assisted by Al Panka, who is in his eighth season, and Dale Kockelman, who is in his 24th season.
"I feel this team will be able to compete well in the section again this year and our goal is to be playing in the state tournament again," said Johnston. "It will not be easy, though, as we have some very good teams in the section. We have a very difficult non-conference schedule this season, so I believe we will be tested when it comes to tournament time."

2021-22 schedule
Nov. 30 - home vs. Ortonville
Dec. 3 - home vs. SW
Dec. 7 - at YME
Dec. 9 - at Lakeview
Dec. 14 - vs. RTR at Ivanhoe
Dec. 17 - home vs. Canby
Dec. 18 - at BBE
Dec. 21 - home vs. TMB
Dec. 28 - SMSU Invite vs. Wabasso
Dec. 29 - SMSU Invite vs. SESM
Jan. 4 - at CMCS
Jan. 6 - home vs. Montevideo
Jan. 7 - home vs. Dawson-Boyd
Jan. 11 - home vs. Pipestone
Jan. 13 - at KMS
Jan. 15 - at Goodhue
Jan. 18 - home vs. LQPV
Jan. 21 - at MACCRAY
Jan. 24 - home vs. RCW
Jan. 27 - home vs. YME
Jan. 29 - at BOLD
Jan. 31 - home vs. Lakeview
Feb. 4 - at RTR
Feb. 7 - at Canby
Feb. 10 - at TMB
Feb. 21 - at Mayer Lutheran