Prior Lake’s volleyball team made some big strides a year ago. It feels like there is no time like the present to take the next step.

“The expectations inside our gym are high, but we know it will be a tough road,” Lakers coach Mike Dean said. His squad is coming off a 23-6 season in 2013. “We are looking to build on some big steps we took forward last season.”

The Class 3A, No. 6-ranked Lakers appear to be headed in the right direction. They upset No. 3 Chaska in a five-game marathon 28-26, 27-25, 23-25, 23-25, 15-10. Chaska was the state’s top-ranked team at the time.

“We really came together against a fantastic team,” Dean said. “I was most pleased with the focus I saw from the girls. We really controlled the ball well on serve receive and it allowed our offense to have some success against a hard-nosed defense.

“It was a nice win that will help build some confidence.”

Junior Ella Francis had 22 kills with no hitting errors against the Hawks. Junior Lara Schultz added 15 kills while junior Olivia Spanton chipped in with 10.

“We have a good mix of youth and experience on the court,” Dean said.

Senior Sammi Pratt had 28 assists while senior Brittany Luethmers finished with 33 digs.

“We have a hard working group that really enjoys playing with each other,” Dean said. “When we are in the gym we have girls pushing each other and competing for playing time. While they are in competition with each other, it is healthy and there is a lot of respect for each player.”

 

Record breaker

Simley senior volleyball player Emily Verway is in a class by herself.

Verway broke the school record for career assists while helping the Spartans to a 4-1 record and the silver championship in the Visitation Invitational this past weekend.

Verway had 84 assists in the tournament, and has 2,133 in her career. She broke the record of 2,075 career assists set by Amy Kaschke in 2009.

“Always a hard worker, Emily committed to an offseason workout regimen, which has brought her into the fall in the best condition of her life,” Simley coach Mark Kaschke said.

“As one of the strongest setters in the state, we look to Emily to lead a relatively young squad to great heights in 2014.”

Simley has opened its season by winning six of its first seven matches. Its only setback came at the hands of Orono.

 

Top performances

• Tess Misgen of Shakopee opened her cross-country season with an impressive victory in the St. Olaf Showcase in Northfield with a time of 15 minutes, 12.8 seconds over the 4,000-meter course. She finish 10th in the Class 2A state meet a year ago.

• Belle Plaine senior Janessa Meuleners also opened her cross-country season by winning a quadrangular at Mankato East. She was the medalist with a time of 14 minutes, 52 seconds over the 4,000-meter course. Meuleners has qualified for the Class 1A state meet the past five years.