North St. Paul won its first 21 matches last year and a Metro East Conference title before its season ended in disappointment with a five-set loss to Stillwater in the Class 3A, Section 4 final.
This year, the Polars (17-5, 5-0) don't have the same resume but nevertheless appear headed for another league title. A victory at Simley (10-4, 6-2) likely would clinch that achievement.
The Polars boast an athletic roster, with college commits Lauren Stenman (Lewis University in Illinois) and Yaiza Franco (LaSalle University in Pennsylvania). Outside hitter Alexis Khang and setter Bria Sandifer are solid players, and junior Jenna Rubbelke showed her versatility when the 5-foot-4 libero recorded 10 kills while filling in at outside hitter in a recent match.
A front line of Tiwaah Danso, Sydney Stensgdard and Emma Heimerl, and defensive specialist Brynn Rogers lead the Spartans.