BBE Jaguars

BBE libero Emily Kern begins her serve during a Central Minnesota Conference match against Paynesville on Oct. 13, 2020 in Brooten. Joe Brown / West Central Tribune

BBE has high hopes for 2021

Jaguars are a pre-season top 10 in the state rankings

BY JOE BROWN | West Central Tribune

BROOTEN — After back-to-back state trips in 2018 and ‘19, along with a 9-1 record in 2020, Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa is hoping to be a state contender once again.

Ranked 10th in the Minnesota Volleyball Coaches Association’s Class A preseason poll, the

Jaguars will return seven key contributors from a year ago.

BBE will also have co-head coaches this year. Alanna Hunter, who took over in ‘20, returns to the bench. Joining her is Tiffany Breitbach, who will fill in for Hunter when she goes on maternity leave.

“We have a great group of returning starters as well as a passionate group of underclassmen,” Hunter said. “We are excited to see how all of these players are going to come together this season.”

The players they’re hoping to replace are setter Karsee Kampsen and middle hitter Karissa Jones. Jones was an All- Area selection in ‘20 while Kampsen was on the All- Area team in ‘19 and ‘18. Where BBE can feel secure is in the back row with senior libero Emily Kern. A Class A All-State second teamer last fall, Kern has 1,261 career digs. A two-time All-Central Minnesota Conference honoree (2nd team in ‘20; 1st team in ‘19), Kern is committed to play collegiately at St. Cloud State.

BBE’s Ava Mueller lobs a ball toward the net during a Central Minnesota Conference match against Paynesville on Oct. 13, 2020 in Brooten.

Joe Brown / West Central Tribune

“Emily is a very passionate player,” Hunter said. “She wants the team to be successful and puts everything she has into making that possible. She is able to read players and the ball to make quick reactions.”

Another senior will help out in the back row with defensive specialist Kylie Winter. Last season, she led the team with 40 ace serves in just 10 games.

“Kylie is a steady defensive player with a powerful serve,” Hunter said. “She has a positive attitude and great rapport with her teammates.”

At the net, senior Paige Rupp will patrol the middle after leading BBE with 16 solo blocks. On the outside, junior Ava Mueller returns after recording a team-high .353 hitting percentage.

“Paige is great offensively and defensively at the net. She moves around the net to find ways to score,” Hunter said. “Ava has high expectations for herself and the team as a whole. She is constantly working to make improvements in her own game and helping others to improve as well. She is a positive and passionate player and teammate.”

Other returning players for the Jaguars include: senior defensive specialist Tayjah Marthaler; senior setter Kailey Fischer; and junior outside hitter Abby Berge.

BBE’s season begins on the road on Aug. 31 for a non-conference game against Osakis.