Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton has taken care of business in its opening games, beating opponents the Rebels were expected to beat. But things get tougher this week for the No. 10-2A Rebels (4-0, 1-0), who take on 3-1 Hawley and No. 5-1A Breckenridge.
D-G-F has a senior-dominated lineup expected to make improvements from the 7-5 squad of a year ago. The Rebels have an imposing front line, especially for a Class 2A school, with 6-foot-2 middle Megan Thune and 6-foot outside Mallory Leitner. Thune had 76 kills and 18 blocks in 2020, Leitner had 143 kills and 67 digs. Ashley Taves, a 5-foot-10 outside, and Raegan Dawson, a 5-foot–10 middle, join Thune and Leitner at the net.
Breckenridge, which swept the season series from the Rebels in 2020, will provide D-G-F with perhaps its most difficult test of the regular season. The Cowboys (9-1, 2-0) were 12-1 when the 2020 season came to an end and have sprinted out of the starting gate again this season.
Senior hitter Camryn Kaehler, a 2020 All-State selection, leads Breckenridge with 58 kills. She has a dangerous serve and set a school record with nine aces in a match last season.
Carcie Materi and Sophie Larson each have 55 assists and Riley Finkral has 71 digs for Breckenridge, which could be headed for its first state tournament appearance since 1980. Abby Johnson, a junior outside, has 44 kills, 55 digs and 12 service aces.