Was able to take in the St. Kate's - Anoka-Ramsey scrimmage yesterday A.M. (Saturday 11-6) over at Anoka-Ramsey. The regulare season hasn't even started yet and already SK could possibly be without their starting PG, Quin Halverson, who injured her knee in practice late this last week and was in civies on the bench this day. Difficult to say how long she could be out; she was supposed to get the results of the MRI back by the first of this next week (perhaps Monday 11-8). In the meantime, for this scrimmage (and possibly beyond as well), SK Head Coach Gary Rufsvold was forced to shove Megan Zillmer from her shooting guard spot into the PG spot; a transition that's going to take some time for Zillmer to adjust to. Also, one of the new freshman players was inserted into the #2 spot as well (not sure what her name is right now). The first 20-minute set saw ARCC gradually pull away as the stanza progressed. SK looked lethargic in this one and was simply getting schooled on the perimeter (you could sense Zillmer's frustration out there) and ARCC took the first set 30-21 (not as close as the score would indicate.
For the second 20-minute set, Rufsvold sent out his second team (with notables Adele Simerson-Wallfred, Jessica Hoffman, and sophomore Andrea Gould. ARCC completely dominated this one in all aspects except the scoreboard which they did wind up winning 20-17.
The third and final 20-minute set was by far and away the most competitive of the day as the SK first team was in there for the bulk of this stanza. SK finally looked like it was clicking on all cylinders in this one and front-liners Laura Kalbfell and Sonja Ellingson were able to do a lot of damage inside on ARCC as they built up a 14-4 lead at one point. ARCC slowly chipped away at the SK lead, though, and once Rufsvold took out the starters and inserted the second-stringers again, the SK advantage quickly evaporated. Coming down to the final minute, ARCC was within one point and won it on a beautiful buzzer-beating drive 28-27. Definitely fun to watch.
Some observations here: SK's margin for error this year is extremely small; given that Cassie Hubler is no longer on the team and the uncertain status of Quin Halverson. To keep in playoff contention this season, the 'Cats are going to have to get a lot EACH night from Kalbfell, Ellingson, and Zillmer. Moreover, Rufsvold needs sophomore Simerson-Wallfred and junior Hoffman to really STEP UP and contribute. ARCC didn't get through this one without getting a little dinged up as well. Tacita Gonzalez diddled up her foot/ankle in the first set and was done for the day. One of the other freshman also suffered a sprained ankle early on in the 3rd set as well. And ARCC is still without the services of post Marie Hanson and Head Coach David DeDewitt was evasive when asked about when she might return to action.
Coming up this next week, ARCC tips off its regular season with a home tilt against St. Cloud Technical College on Tuesday night at 6:00 P.M. And most of the MIAC teams get their regular season underway this next weekend. Stay tuned.....
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