Wayzata's imposing group of Sophie Jesewitz, Katelyn Empkey, Elizabeth Helmich and Lily Emlong, all at least 6-foot-2, draw much of the attention from the No. 3-3A Trojans' lineup.
But the contributions of smaller and less-recognized players, such as 5-10 senior setter Olivia Johnson and 5-6 sophomore defensive specialist Ella Voegele, have been no less important to Wayzata's success.
Johnson, who passed 2,000 career assists last weekend, has become a smart manager of Wayzata's offense in her third year as a starter.
"We have a hitter in every spot and (Johnson) can take advantage of that," Trojans coach Scott Jackson said. "She's playing mindfully, looking for matchup advantages and who's playing well. And she always puts up a hittable ball."
Voegele, who leads the team in digs, has been a bit of a bonus for Jackson's team.
"She was on the radar," Jackson said. "But we didn't expect what she's given us."
The Trojans (24-3, 6-0) have clinched the Lake Conference championship but face the possibility of losing the season series to Minnetonka (22-5, 5-2) in a regular-season finale on Tuesday that does not count in the conference standings. The No. 10-3A Skippers beat Wayzata last weekend in the final of the St. Michael-Albertville tournament.
The Skippers as a team, meanwhile, have outperformed expectations. After losing 10 seniors, including five starters, to graduation last spring, Minnetonka coach Karl Katzenberger expected a bit of a rebuilding season.
Instead, first-year varsity starters Olivia Koeppen at setter, Sarah Stolar at defensive specialist, Morgan Rooney at outside hitter and Sonia Dahlin at middle hitter have been on a continued path of improvement all season and have the Skippers playing with confidence heading into the postseason.
Senior outside hitter Skyler Germann, who has committed to playing sand volleyball at Long Beach State, leads the Skippers.