Photo by Jake McNeill: Minneota defensive specialist Abby Rolbiecki attempts a dig during a girls basketball game against Russell-Tyler-Ruthton in Tyler on Tuesday night. The Vikings defeated the Knights in four sets.

The Minnesota Volleyball Coaches Association released its first prep volleyball poll for the 2025 season Wednesday. Topping the lists, reigning state runners-up Marshall and Minneota were each ranked as the No. 1 teams in Class 3A and Class 1A, respectively.

The Tigers fielded an inexperienced team by their standards last year. After being senior-heavy in the previous few seasons, Marshall had a roster last year with just two seniors, Audree Larson and Ali Pederson. Still, the Tigers’ youth possessed tremendous talent and put together a dominant season with a 27-7 record and a state championship match appearance.

While Marshall fell in four sets to Alexandria in the Class AAA state championship, the future looked bright for the Tigers after they returned nearly their entire varsity roster, including All-State selections Reese Drake and Avery Fahl and other key starters such as Brooke Gillingham, Laurel Ryks and Kezlyn and Kyah Pinckney.

The MNVBCA voters recognized Marshall’s returning talent with the top spot in the Class AAA preseason poll, followed by Delano and Willmar.

In Class A, Minneota was also voted the top team after falling in last year’s state championship match. The Vikings compiled a 26-11 record on the season before falling in three sets to Mayer Lutheran in the final.

Minneota will have to overcome more turnover in its roster than the Tigers will this year. They lose key starters such as All-State outside hitter Elivia Faris, setter Nevaeh Hennen and defensive specialist Claire Rost. They’ll also be replacing two-time Class A Coach of the Year Hayley Fruin, who announced in May that she would be resigning from the role after nine years in order to focus on family and work.

Still, the Vikings are again loaded with returning talent, such as libero Abby Rolbiecki fresh off an All-State selection as a junior, setter Libby Sussner, and a talented front row of Eden Meagher and Jaylyn Coequyt.

Once again, Section 3A was well-represented in the preseason poll. Russell-Tyler-Ruthton and Canby were ranked fifth and sixth, while Wabasso was ranked No. 10. Both Canby and Wabasso have returning All-State selections with Karlie Wollum and Emily Nelson returning for the Lancers, and Libero Audrey Johnson returning for the Rabbits.

Both the Marshall Tigers and Minneota Vikings will make their season debuts on Aug. 21 at 7:15 p.m., with Marshall hosting Willmar and Minneota going on the road to take on Redwood Valley.

RTR will get started on Aug. 23 at reigning state champion and current Class A No. 2 Mayer Lutheran and Canby will go on the road to take on Murray County Central on Aug. 26. Wabasso will also open its season in Granite Falls against Yellow Medicine East on Aug. 21.