Duluth East's Elena Lushine (Photo by Dave Hill)
Elena Lushine
Jr., MH, Duluth East
Lushine has great bloodlines as her mother was an All-Big Ten and team MVP with the Minnesota Gophers in 1991. But the 6-foot-2 middle is a force on her own, as she paced the 'Hounds with 335 kills and 94 blocks as a sophomore. Played Minnesota North 18-1 in the offseason. "A force at the net. Penetrates further blocking than any player I've seen and hits from high and is getting more pop on the ball. Also developing power tips." -- Duluth East coach Kevin Flynn
Q: Give me a short scouting report on yourself as a player. What are your strengths?
A: I am a strong blocker and hitter. I transition quickly and am explosive at the net.
Q: What's the best part of playing high school volleyball and why?
A: The best part of playing high school volleyball is competing with friends in volleyball.
Q: Tell me about the outlook for your team this year. Why will you have a successful season?
A: Our team looks good for this year. We had a very young team last year and a lot of great returning players.
Q: What are the strengths of your team?
A: We have many talented, great offensive players and blockers.
Belle Plaine's Kirsten Johnson (Photo by Michael Much)
Kirsten Johnson
Jr., RH-S-OH, Belle Plaine
Johnson shared the setting and hitting duties with Haley Fogarty in Belle Plaine's 6-2 offense and she excelled, earning All-Minnesota River honorable mention while racking up 158 kills, 541 set assists and 150 digs. She also plays for Northern Lights 16-2 in the offseason. "A talented attacker pin to pin. Setting and defense improves by the week." -- Belle Plaine coach Cassie Wolpern
Q: Give me a short scouting report on yourself as a player. What are your strengths?
A: I am a hard-working player who will do anything to get myself on the court and contributing.
Q: Can you tell us one unusual thing about yourself that others may not know?
A: I retain a lot of useless information.
Q: What's the best part of playing high school volleyball and why?
A: I know a lot of my competition and that makes it fun to play against them.
Q: Tell me about the outlook for your team this year. Why will you have a successful season?
A: My team this year is a lot of the same people as last year. We all work well together and will be coached well.
Q: What are the strengths of your team?
A: My team has strengths in every position and we all work hard to win.
