Both Hopkins and Roseville have been staples at the Class 3A state tournament over the past decade, and the two programs will look for early season traction when they meet in a nonconference bout.
Hopkins (1-2) opened the season ranked seventh in Class 3A but absorbed a pair of losses to tough opponents in Elk River (3-1 on Aug. 23) and No. 2-3A Champlin Park (3-0 on Aug. 25) before getting on track with a 3-0 win over Orono last Tuesday.
If the momentum is to continue, the Royals will need production from senior Anna Erickson, who was all-state and topped 500 kills last year. Chudear Tut gives Hopkins another attacking threat up front.
Roseville had an inexperienced roster in 2017 and saw a five-year state tournament streak end. The Raiders (2-0), who now feature four seniors and three juniors, seek revenge after getting swept at home by the Royals in 2017.
If the Raiders are to defeat Hopkins and make a bid to return to the state tournament, they’ll have to rely on three returning players who had at least 150 kills last season: Erin Beer, Berit Flagstad and Jayda Johnson.