Audrey Erickson took her time setting up to serve but lofted the ball into the tape on the net. The error cost her Hopkins’ team a point against Lake Conference rival Eden Prairie, but the Royals’ senior outside hitter was all smiles.

She was happy to be back on the court.

Nearly a year after having surgery to repair the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in her knee, Erickson is playing volleyball again. She missed the entire club season, taking eight months to recover from the injury.

“That was a really long process,” Erickson said. “I was really looking forward to coming back and playing on the court.”

Erickson, who was an All-Conference Honorable Mention selection last year, showed she's almost regained her form with a solid performance against Eden Prairie. She finished with 11 kills and one ace to help the Royals defeat the Eagles 25-23, 17-25, 25-21, 25-19 in a rematch Thursday at Hopkins High School. The teams met Sept. 20 in the Eagle Invitational championship match at Apple Valley High School where Hopkins, No. 4 in the Minnesota Volleyball Coaches Association's Class 3A poll, ended Eden Prairie’s undefeated streak with a 2-1 victory.

Erickson’s play has been improving daily, Royals’ head coach Vicki Swenson said.

“I’m so proud of her,” Swenson said. “Mentally, she’s been in there all along, but physically, it’s been a challenge for her. But she’s an amazing hitter.”

Erickson is also optimistic about her progress.

“I don’t feel back to one hundred percent, but I’m getting close,” she said.

Erickson is one of eight seniors on Hopkins’ roster and many of the girls have been playing together since middle school.

Playing volleyball with her teammates provided Erickson with the motivation she needed while recovering from the injury.

“I really missed volleyball and playing with all my friends,” Erickson said.

Despite missing the entire club season, Erickson still garnered interest from area colleges and will be playing at St. Thomas next fall.

“My dad went there,” Erickson said. “When he brought me there, I fell in love with the campus and I love the coach and all the players on the team.”

Making the transition to playing college volleyball shouldn’t be a problem for Erickson, who continues proving she can work through the toughest of challenges and succeed on the court.

“She’s huge for our team, and she’s been getting so much better every practice and stronger,” Swenson said. “To not play for so long, her legs just weren’t there. And her determination and grit has just been so impressive.”

Erickson is looking forward to the upcoming club season because her Northern Lights’ team is traveling to Europe.

“I’m so excited,” she said.

Erickson is just as excited about the Royals’ victory over the Eagles, No. 2 in Class 3A. which keeps Hopkins tied with Eden Prairie atop the conference standings.

“We were pretty confident, but we knew it was going to be a tough game and it could go either way,” she said. “So we we’re really excited to win (the match). I think we have a pretty good chance of winning our conference, if we keep working hard.”

Sophomore outside hitter Jasmyn Martin had 15 kills, helping Hopkins defeat Eden Prairie 25-23, 17-25, 25-21, 25-19 in a rematch between Lake Conference rivals Thursday at Hopkins High School. The Royals defeated the Eagles 2-1 in the Eagle Invitational championship match Sept. 20 at Apple Valley High School.

Hopkins sophomore outside hitter Greta Werner contributed 13 kills and senior outside hitter Audrey Erickson had 11 kills.

Senior setter Samantha Seliger Swenson had three kills and one block assist for the Royals, ranked No. 4 in the Minnesota Volleyball Coaches Association's Class 3A poll. 

Eden Prairie freshman middle hitter Grace Persson finished the night with 11 kills and two block assists. Junior outside hitter Ashley Brueggeman also had 11 kills and added a block assist for the Eagles, No. 2 in Class 3A. 

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