Meet the 2026 Strib Varsity All-Minnesota girls volleyball team

The air crackles with anticipation as Minnesota’s finest high school volleyball players converge on Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, each carrying the hopes of their teams toward a state championship. Among those vying for glory are the remarkable athletes recognized by the Star Tribune as the 2026 All-Minnesota girls volleyball team—a testament to their skill, dedication, and impact on the sport across all classifications. This year’s selection, compiled through meticulous observation, statistical analysis, and input from coaches statewide, celebrates 25 exceptional players who exemplify the spirit of Minnesota volleyball.

The Selection Process & Rising Stars

The Star Tribune’s annual All-Minnesota volleyball team is a product of careful consideration. Selection wasn't based on a single metric, but rather a holistic assessment of statistics, coach feedback, and in-game performance. The process involved polling coaches from across the state, weighing team and individual success, and observing games to identify the most deserving honorees. The resulting list, presented in alphabetical order, reflects the depth of talent found within Minnesota’s high school volleyball landscape. The Minnesota State High School League oversees the state’s athletic programs, ensuring fair competition and recognizing outstanding achievements.

Leading the way is Josie Anderson, a 5-foot-10 senior outside hitter from Sauk Rapids-Rice, who led her team with 347 kills and a .400 hitting percentage during the regular season. She added 278 digs and 38 aces. Avery Beckering, a 6-foot senior outside hitter from Southwest Christian, demonstrated a breakout performance at last year’s state tournament and continued her strong play this season, amassing a team-best 343 kills, including a 27-kill, 20-dig match vs. Delano and 33 kills vs. Jordan. Cora Bicknese, a junior defensive specialist/right side from Chatfield, earned recognition as one of the state’s top liberos, showcasing versatility with a ranking among the state’s top players in both kills and digs. Her match highs included an impressive 27 kills and 41 digs. Leah Biyadglign, a Roseville senior setter/right side, achieved career milestones of 1,000 digs and 1,000 assists this year, solidifying her role as a key player for the Raiders.

Kaelyn Bjorklund, a Lakeville South senior setter, orchestrated the offense for back-to-back Class 4A title teams, breaking the Cougars’ all-time assist record this year and earning recognition as a 2026 Miss Volleyball finalist. Lauren Bunge, a 6-1 senior middle hitter from East Ridge, returned from injury to lead her team to state last year and consistently proved to be one of the team’s most reliable hitters in the clutch this season. Clara Christ, an all-state performer from Chaska, excels defensively and in serve/receive, posting a season-high of 30 digs against Lakeville North. Ryah Cotton, a Prior Lake senior setter/right side, established herself again as one of the state’s toughest servers and top passers, putting up six matches with 40-plus assists. Sophia Cowan, an Apple Valley junior defensive specialist/right side, will finish her career as Apple Valley’s all-time leader with more than 1,300 kills and 1,000 digs.

Leadership and Dominance on the Court

Ellery DeBoer, a Willmar senior setter, is known for making her teammates better and surpassed 3,500 career assists this year. She was a Miss Volleyball finalist. Payton Gravelle, a Wadena-Deer Creek senior middle hitter, swung big this season, completing 10 matches with at least 20 kills, including 32 kills in her final match in a section quarterfinal loss vs. East Grand Forks. Sydney Friedly, a Benilde-St. Margaret’s senior setter, is a two-sport standout with D-I offers in multiple sports and runs one of the state’s top offenses, having 10 matches with at least 30 assists, including 66 vs. Chaska (fourth most in state history). Kaydence Fjerstad, a Byron senior outside hitter, overpowered opposing defenses with more than 400 kills in the regular season, including 30-plus-kill performances vs. Red Wing and Chatfield.

Exceptional Talent and Future Prospects

Mesa Jameson, an Eagan junior right side, is a five-star prospect and member of the U.S. Under-17 team, recording 450 kills in the regular season, including 39 kills in an upset vs. No. 1 Lakeville South. Avery Minor, a Benilde-St. Margaret’s junior right side, showcased her all-around impact with a 30-kill, 19-dig performance against Chaska and can be a six-rotation player and also a menace defensively against the opponent’s best hitters. Taylor Peterson, a Lakeville North senior libero/setter, is among the best at her position in the state and reached the 1,000-dig career mark this year. Kezlyn Pinckney, a Marshall senior libero/defensive specialist, is the only returning all-tournament player from Marshall’s Class 3A title team last year and led the Tigers with more than 400 digs in the regular season.

Defensive Strength and Community Support

Ellie Osowski, a Wayzata senior outside hitter, brings her versatility as a six-rotation outside hitter, contributing more than 300 kills and 200 digs for the second straight year. Melia Sathoff, a Cleveland senior outside hitter, has helped lead her team to its first state tournament appearance and ranks among the top five kill leaders in the state this season, reaching double-digit kills in 12 of her past 13 regular season matches. Ryleigh Schelhaas, a New Life Academy senior outside hitter, put up a 300-plus-kill season after leading the Eagles to third place in Class 2A last year.

The Bigger Picture

Isabell Scheuch, a Howard-Lake-Waverly-Winsted senior middle hitter, is an intimidating presence at the net defensively and also delivers as the team’s leading hitter, owning the Lakers’ single-season (88) and career blocks (nearly 300) records. Kacie Schulte, a Maple Grove senior outside hitter/opposite, is capable of taking over any match, as evident when she broke her own program single-match record with 31 kills this season vs. Roseville, leading the Crimson with 384 kills, 211 digs and 46 aces in the regular season. Abigail Telander, a Rush City senior outside hitter, was a preseason Miss Volleyball candidate and reached the 1,000-kill mark for her career this year, as the Tigers earned their fourth state tournament trip in five years. Elleora Utecht, a Lakeville South senior outside hitter, was an all-tournament selection in Class 4A title runs in 2024 and 2025 and led the Cougars with nearly 300 kills in the regular season.

Katherine's Take & Looking Ahead

This year’s All-Minnesota team is a powerful reminder of the dedication and talent flourishing within our state’s high school volleyball programs. What resonates most is the emphasis on leadership—the ability to elevate teammates and inspire collective success. The prominence of players from diverse classifications—from Class 4A powerhouses to smaller schools—underscores the statewide reach of volleyball’s popularity and the opportunities for young athletes to excel regardless of school size. Supporting local volleyball programs, investing in coaching development, and fostering a culture of inclusivity are vital steps in nurturing the next generation of Minnesota volleyball stars. And as these athletes pursue their dreams, let us celebrate the role that strong families and supportive communities play in their development—the bedrock upon which these successes are built.

The accomplishments of these young women serve as a powerful reminder of the potential that resides within our communities. Their dedication, perseverance, and sportsmanship are qualities we should strive to emulate in all aspects of life. As they pursue their championship dreams, let us celebrate their achievements and reaffirm our commitment to supporting the next generation of Minnesota’s finest athletes. Explore Minneapolis and discover the vibrant culture and community spirit that makes our city a great place to live, work, and play.