Seven players to watch in the volleyball state tournament at the Xcel Energy Center

A finalist for the Ms. Baden Award for the state’s top senior volleyball player, Garr has helped Rush City to three consecutive Class 2A state tournaments – including a second-place finish last year. The future Gopher libero has 1,680 career digs and 284 service aces, and this year she helped the Tigers (28-3) to another Section 7 title.

The No. 7 Tigers face No. 2 Chatfield on Thursday at 3 p.m.

LaPlante, a senior, was a crucial part of Chatfield’s first trip to the Class 2A tournament. The 5-9, six-rotation outside hitter is eager to play collegiately at Minnesota State Mankato and has recorded 386 kills on a 33.5% hitting rate this fall.

No. 2 Chatfield (28-4) defeated Winona Cotter 3-0 to win the Class 2A, Section 1 title and earn a quarterfinal game against No. 7 Rush City.

Ehresmann, a 5-6 senior setter, helped Albany (29-3), the top seed in Class 2A, return to the state tournament for the first time since 2003. She recorded 49 of her 668 assists in a 3-2 win over Sauk Center in the Section 6 championship. Since collecting her 1,000th career assist in early September, Ehersmann has seen Albany senior middle/outside hitter Hannah Klein have a great hitting season.

Albany’s quarterfinal game against No. 8 New London-Spicer is scheduled for Thursday at 1 p.m.