Zumbrota-Mazeppa could come into this penultimate day of the 2022 Minnesota high school volleyball season as the Hiawatha Valley League champion. Even if that happens, it's not likely the Cougars will be too relaxed because there's a tough road ahead in the Class 2A, Section 1 tournament.
Zumbrota-Mazeppa (21-4, 6-1) and Cannon Falls (21-6, 6-1) enter this week tied atop the conference standings. The Cougars, ranked second in Class 2A by the Minnesota Volleyball Coaches Association, play 1-5 Lake City on Tuesday while the Bombers face 4-3 Byron, ranked ninth in Class 3A.
The Cougars' early season loss to Cannon Falls means the Bombers have the advantage if both conference leaders win. The issue might have to be settled in the section tournament, where Cannon Falls beat Zumbrota-Mazeppa in the final last fall.
The Cougars' opponent on this Monday, No. 6-1A Kenyon-Wanamingo, is in a similar situation. The Knights (19-6, 9-1) enter the week one loss behind No. 4-1A Bethlehem Academy in the conference race. A conference title is unlikely, but Kenyon-Wanamingo players would probably prefer their revenge in the Class 1A, Section 1 tournament. The Knights lost in the the 2021 final to Bethlehem Academy.
Both teams have much to look forward to, but Monday's game has enough to offer, starting with the Cougars' versatile senior Rylee Nelson.
Nelson, a Seton Hall commit, is everywhere on the floor. Her season statistics include 218 kills, 287 assists, 234 digs and 27 solo blocks. In a 3-2 victory earlier this season over No. 3-3A Kasson-Mantorville, Nelson had 10 kills, 29 assists, 23 digs and two blocks.
Kenyon-Wanamingo doesn't have the single star power that the Cougars have in Nelson, but the Knights do have a solid pair of senior hitters in Tessa Erlandson and Josie Quam.