Viking Head Coach Pam Taylor sat in her office wishing she could be at practice with her team, but because of Minnesota State High School League rules, only players could attend the first week of what is called “Captain’s Practice.”
About 30 young ladies showed up for the first day of workouts on Monday, August 10. They ran their own drills and worked on skill sets to thunderous music reverberating around the gym. And while there was a lot of hard work, it looked like the players were having a lot of fun.
The Vikings are coming off a 15-win, 8-loss 2014 season and are led by the hard-hitting Sutton sisters, Meredith and Linden. But there is more to the team than the two talented sisters.
The Vikings are also returning senior front line players Lily Gruber-Schulz, Shauna Blake, Trace McQuatters, Jordan Deschampe; setters Alex Slanga and Maddy Roy, and libero Sara Carman. There are also a group of talented underclassmen who have been playing and practicing throughout the year who will push for starting spots and give the team a lot of depth.
“My biggest concern is that there are only three starting spots open and I have eight seniors. Not all of them can start. It’s going to be one tough week (August 17-21) when some decisions will have to be made. Some of the kids will have to decide if they want to sit on the bench or play on the B-Team. I know I would rather see them play and if we need them, they will be ready to be called up. But it will be their choice,” Taylor said.
The Vikings will play in the “Big School” division of the Polar League, and will be pitted against Barnum, Two Harbors, South Ridge, Moose Lake and Esko.
But when it comes tournament time, the Vikings will be matched against Class A schools more their size. The Vikings’ stumbling block in sections the last few years has been Carlton, and once again they will be formidable, said Taylor. “But if we can stay healthy, improve our communications on the court, and learn to trust each other, we could have a great season,” she added.
The Vikings will get their first test in a scrimmage against multiple squads on Wednesday, August 26 at Esko. Their first home game will be played during the day against Duluth Marshall on Saturday, August 29 at 2 p.m. The Vikings will also take the court at home on Thursday, September 3 at 6:30 p.m. against North Shore rival Two Harbors.
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