Owatonna Volleyball to Open the Season At Top Ranked Prior Lake

The high school volleyball season begins Thursday night at 7PM for Owatonna, playing at top-rated Prior Lake. The match will be heard on Kat Kountry 105FM and via the radioPup app.

The Huskies beat the Lakers in Owatonna last year in their season opener 3-2. Owatonna graduates six players off last season's 19-10 team, including All-Big Nine players Kaylea Ahrens and Elly Buck and honorable mention pick Allison Falken. Ahrens is the school record holder in digs after five years on the varsity. She is now playing at Augustana.

Prior Lake lost just three times last season, including to eventual state champ Chaska in the section tournament. The Lakers return seven of their top nine players.

Owatonna also graduated Megan Ritter, Marandes Schultz and Dani Copp from the '14 team. Returners include all-conference selection Carli Langeland and honorable mention pick Lexi Langeland, who will start the season as the setter.

Rochester Mayo won the Big Nine last year. Owatonna tied with Faribault for second place. Mayo beat Faribault for the section title. After opening at Prior Lake, Owatonna doesn't play again until Sept. 3 when they host Red Wing at the OHS gym.

Thursday marks the season opener for Owatonna soccer as well. The boys and girls both play at Apple Valley. The girls cross country team runs at River Falls, Wis.. The girls tennis team has its home opener Thursday afternoon. Blooming Prairie volleyball goes to Byron Thursday for their first match of the season. NRHEG is home against Alden Conger.