Vote: Who is the top 'glue-girl' in Minnesota high school volleyball?

See which players connect their teams in ways that might not fill the state sheet, then vote!

Earlier this season, SBLive Minnesota highlighted the top players by positions throughout Minnesota high school volleyball. 

This list will cover the state of Minnesota’s best “glue players” — players who may not dominate the stat sheet, but they are integral to the success of their teams.

There are hundreds of standout volleyball players in Minnesota and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive. This list is filled with nominations by coaches.

Read through the candidates below, and then you can vote on who you think the top "glue" player in is Minnesota high school volleyball below.

This poll will close on November 5 at 11:59 p.m. The winner will be announced on Monday.

Editor’s Note: Our Glue Player feature and corresponding poll is intended to be fun, and we do not set limits on how many times a fan can vote during the competition. However, we do not allow votes that are generated by script, macro or other automated means. Athletes that receive votes generated by script, macro or other automated means will be disqualified.

Minnesota volleyball's top "glue-players"

Eden Anderson, Elk River

Sophomore

At Elk River, the program gives out an Elk Pride award to a player who stands out not just as a performer, but a player who leads and encourages. Anderson’s a common nominee every week.

She is the starting junior varsity setter and a strong reserve on varsity.

“She is talented, and has all the right stuff,” coach Theresa Brummer said. “I wish I had 55 of her.”

Willow Thiel, Perham

Senior

An all-conference player each of the last two seasons, Theil plays middle attacker and outside hitter and is an “all-around player,” according to coach Nikki Morrison.

“[She] has continually put her team first when she competes,” Morrison said. “She has shown and grown into a strong leader for our team and will take over whenever needed when her team needs her most. Willow is such an impact player that can change the course of a game.”

Bella Rushing, Northfield

Senior

Rushing has 184 digs and 49 aces so far this season for coach Elizabeth Larson. She is the team’s “toughest and most consistent” server and a versatile defender that can play multiple positions.

“She is a fierce and tireless competitor who keeps us in rallies by making seemingly impossible saves,” Larson said. “Bella is most certainly the glue that keeps our team in it every day at practice and in competition.”

Ava Ball, Nova Classical

Junior

An all-state player last season, Ball has logged over 1,000 kills and digs. She has consistently proven herself one of the state’s top players and helps “bind” the team together.

“She is an incredible player and a great leader both on and off the court,” coach Thomas Dobbs said. “She is a quiet leader that leads by example. She is a true six-position outside hitter that contributes in every way — hitting, passing, serving, digging and blocking.”

Taylor Shelstad, Red Wing

Senior

Shelstad ran a 5-1 her junior year and is now the starting setter in a 6-2, who is busy mentoring her eventual replacement. She averages 20 assists per match and has surpassed 1,000 on her career.

“She believes in giving back to the program and bettering it when you leave for the next generation,” coach Sydney Book said. “She is a player who has old school morals and values and is dedicated to helping her team at all costs, playing whatever position we throw at and making it her own.”

Allison Banse, Mankato West

Senior

A likely-multi-year all-conference player, Banse surpassed 1,000 career digs this season for coach Stacy Jackson and the Mankato West program.

“She brings everyone together,” Jackson said. “She knows what to say, and when to say it. Her tone is always good and she knows how to help our defense figure out how to fix something if it is not working. She keeps us in matches, some of which we would never be able to stay in without her.”

Abby Zins, Chisago Lakes

A six-rotation player and the team’s “go-to,” Zins recently reached 500 career kills, 500 digs and 100 aces.

“She is reliable to score and the backbone of our offense and defense,” coach Hannah Lindstrom said. “She's a quiet, humble leader who is composed and consistent. She is a high achiever and sets the standard for work ethic in our gym. She brings us together socially and encourages everyone to play to their potential, too.”

Else Kunze-Hoeg, Mounds Park Academy

Senior

A two-time conference player of the year and section champ, five-time all-conference player and a preseason Ms. Volleyball Nominee, Kunze-Hoeg has developed into the heart and soul of the Mounds Park Academy program.

The 6-foot, setter and captain is a “true leader on and off the floor,” according to coach Jeff Kunze-Hoeg. In her career, she’s accumulated 3,937 assists, 826 digs, 521 kills, and 476 aces. 

Gretchen Volk, Willmar

Junior

Volk, an outside hitter, is a multi-positional player and team captain. Last season, she played in every set for the program, and has brought a strong level of competitiveness that has caught the eye of coach Leah Brogdon.

“She is very versatile, which makes her knowledgeable about the game,” Brogdon said. “She has played a lot of high level volleyball. She is a great leader for our team and a grinder. She always gives 110% and is encouraging to her teammates.”

Amara Schroeder, St. Louis Park

Junior

Schroeder, a setter for a 5-1 offense, is the “captain of the ship,” said coach Samantha Schroeder. She is on pace to set the school record for assists, having already surpassed 1,400.

“She has been our most consistent athlete for her three years on varsity,” Schroeder said of the soon-to-be senior captain and a former all-conference first teamer. 

Abby Haus, Sartell

Senior

Coach Riley Marod said that Haus “can quite literally control the energy.” Sometimes, this comes by way of a well-timed kill, others a block or dig.

She leads the team in kills and blocks, helping to bring Sartell to a 22-5 record in what is her fourth season on varsity.

“Abby wants the best for the team and she will do whatever she can to get a point,” Marod said. “She is a leader, team player, and role model for many.”

Kylie Gustafson, White Bear Lake

Senior

Gustafson, a team captain, has logged 216 kills this season in addition to 85 digs and 27 blocks.

“Kylie is a player that our team looks up to while playing on the court,” coach Mackenzie Leverty said. “She is a leader on and off the court and when we are in need of a kill we know we can count on her to score and get the serve back.”

Ella Walker, Proctor

A 6-foot-2 middle hitter and team captain with a slew of recognitions, including all-conference and AAU All-American nods, Walker led her team this season with 343 kills, 174 digs, 49 blocks and 30 aces.

“Ella is fearless,” coach Trish Jauhola said. “She is open to new opportunities... Not only do players look up to her — literally — they also respect her leadership… Ella leads by integrity, and example… Our team feeds off of Ella's energy.”

Walker is committed to play Division II college volleyball at the University of Sioux Falls.

Madelyn Benka, Minnehaha Academy

A multi-time all-conference player who has, on two occasions, been considered for conference player of the year, Benka was rewarded all-state honors in each of the last two seasons.

“[She] leaves it all on the court both at practices and matches,” coach Kim Benka said. “She’s a six-rotation outside that not only leads her team on the court but more importantly is a team leader.”

Annalise Wilson, New Prague

Senior

Wilson, a setter, helped New Prague to a 22-5 record this season, despite its standing as one of the Class 4A’s smallest schools.

“Despite having an undersized front row compared to much of the competition,” coach Greg Sayuk said. “Her ability to read the defense and locate faster tempo sets put her hitters in position to be successful. Her competitive energy rubs off on her teammates and her knack for attacking to the right spot at the right time is deflating to opposing defenses… She is definitely the glue that ties everything together.”

Wilson notched 792 assists, 171 digs, 85 kills and 32 aces this season. 

Lauren Fjerstad, Byron

Senior

Fjerstad has had a love for volleyball since a young age, and has been a leader for Byron since joining the program. On her career, she has tallied 989 digs, 679 kills and 160 aces.

“Lauren glues the team together through her positivity, work ethic, and strength,” coach Shane Plummer said. “Lauren has overcome many obstacles and challenges more than a volleyball player should. Lauren has developed a positive and grateful mentality for our team. She shows how grateful she is to be playing the game she loves with amazing people.”

Isabel Steer, Hawley

Junior

Steer has led her team across several statistical categories the past few seasons for coach Kathleen Rustad.

“She is a glue player because, despite overcoming an ankle sprain this year, as well as a shoulder injury, she refuses to give up her role as the leading middle blocker by attacking with her left hand,” Rustad said. She continues to play all 6 rotations, with the exception of serving. She encourages others and still has an aggressive personality on the court. Her teammates respect her well and voted her a captain of the team.”

The middle hitter leads her team with 38 blocks this season and is also a multi-time all conference player who has been on varsity since she was a freshman. 

Ava Athman, Sauk Rapids Rice

Senior

Athman plays all around, leading the team in kills (333), hitting percentage (.392) and blocks (58). She’s also second on the team with 166 digs and 13 aces.

“She wants the team to win, or do well, instead of adding to her stats,” coach Gail Bialke said. “When we have time in practice to work on skills, she picks defense. She wants to improve her defensive skills to stop other players… We had a successful year (15-9), and without Ava, we are probably 2-22. She is our player who we find if we need a point, no matter where she is.” 

Mollie Rupp, Bemidji

Junior

A six-rotation outside hitter, Rupp exudes a sense of “calm and control” when she is on the court, said coach Alicia Kriens. Or, in other words, a “true team player.”

“She is encouraging and gets more excited for her teammates than she does herself,” said Kriens. “When things aren't going our way on the court, Mollie is the one to pull the team together and get them back on track. She is the player we rely on in sticky situations where we may need a kill or a big block.”

Maddie Muellner, Forest Lake

Senior

Muellner, a middle hitter, leads her team with 252 kills and a 3.56 kills efficiency. A team captain, she’s also second on the team with 53 aces.

“Besides Maddie's athletic prowess,” said coach Serri Alm, “she is an exceptionally positive leader who continually pulls the team together and provides them with confidence and encouragement in all situations.”

Muellner will continue on to Augustana College next year. 

Erica Tormanen, Menahga

Senior

Tormanen has moved around this season, but is primarily an outside hitter who was an all-conference player last season and the team’s MVP. She has also been a team captain for the last two seasons.

“She takes a lot of the pressure on herself to do well for the team and they notice that and kind of rely on her,” coach Logan Redetzke said.

Tormanen has 213 digs, 152 kills and 26 aces this season. 

Ava Jones, Detroit Lakes

Senior

A five-year varsity starter and three-time captain, Jones, a setter, was an all-state player last season and is committed to University of Minnesota Duluth. She is the epitome of a glue player, according to coach Rachel Solum.

“She is a leader and someone who her teammates and coaches can always count on to be giving 100%,” said Solum. “That work ethic has made her the player she is today… When the team is struggling or feeling defeated, they look to Ava on the court. She remains positive and composed through the highs and lows that matches may bring. 

Elena Hoecke, Centennial

Sophomore

Hoecke is a 6-foot-3, six-rotation middle blocker who, in the words of her coach Nicole Christensen, can “do it all.” An honorable mention all-conference player as a freshman, Hoecke was voted MVP by her teammates last season.

“She is incredibly humble,” Nicole Christensen said, “and one of the best teammates I've ever coached.”

Hoecke is a Division I level prospect who has received college interest. 

Kendra Behrens, junior, St. Michael-Albertville

Juniors

Behrens, a middle blocker, is a four-year varsity player who has been named to the all-conference teams each of the last two years. She leads the team physically, but has a teammate mindset in everything she does, said coach Tammy Cornillez.

“Although Kendra receives the playing time,” Cornillez said, “she doesn't demand it or complain when others are provided opportunities before her. She is coachable and kind.”

Hailey Bingel, Apollo

Senior

A setter and three-year varsity player, Bingel was selected as a captain this season. On the year, she notched 142 assists, 136 digs, 35 kills and 20 aces.

“What makes her a glue player is her team spirit and great attitude,” coach Michaela Laudenbach said. “She embodies what great senior leadership is, and she makes sure everyone in the program feels welcome and included. She always cheers on her teammates and celebrates their successes.”

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