Minnesota’s top high school volleyball players: Meet the state’s best blockers

Over the next week, we’ll be taking a position-by-position look at some of the top players in Minnesota high school volleyball. This list will cover the state’s premiere blockers.

There are hundreds of standout volleyball players in Minnesota and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive.

Note: Some stats and records have been updated more recently than others.

Minnesota’s top high school volleyball players: Meet the state’s best hitters

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Andrea Majchrzak, senior, Albany

In Majchrzak’s fourth straight year as a varsity starter for Brian Hines’ Albany squad, she’s collected 154 kills and 33 solo blocks. A captain this year for the 13-8 Huskies, she surpassed 200 ace blocks on her career earlier this season. 

“Andrea is such a high level talent,” Hines said. “A 6-foot-2 player that moves on the court like she is 5-foot-9. Andrea can dominate in every position at the net and really has worked hard to dominate from the service line too. She is an outstanding leader on and off the court for our team.”

Hannah Klein, sophomore, Albany

Klein forms a dynamic duo up front with fellow middle blocker Majchrzak. She’s putting up quite the season herself with 19 solo ace blocks, 53 digs and 140 kills. 

“Hannah is one of our hardest working players in a game,” Hines said. “She will do anything to keep the ball off the ground. Hannah is an amazing athlete who can touch 10-feet on her approach jump. She has improved leaps and bounds from last season to this season. Hannah is a tremendous leader for our team as well even though she is young.”

Madison Burr, junior, Cannon Falls

Burr earned all-conference and all-state honors last season as a sophomore and has taken her game to the next level as a junior for the 12-5-1 Bombers. She led Melissa Huseth’s program in kills last year and is doing the same this season with 235. She’s over 770 in her career.

“This year, she is playing full rotation,” Huseth said. “Madi is our go-to. She has a strong whip and is versatile in her attack. She plays with great energy in practice and on the competition court. Madi works hard to improve her all-around game.”

Paige Decker, senior, Rochester Century

Decker was also an all-conference/all-state player in 2021 for Nichelle Guillaume’s team. She finished last season with 332 kills and is on pace to surpass that number this season. 

“She is a stand out as a middle hitter, blocker, and also when we leave her in as defense in the back row, as a captain, she is an amazing piece that holds our team together,” Guillaume said.

Jade Reese, senior, Greenbush-Middle River

Coach Stacy Dahl describes her star middle hitter as a “dominant front row player.” Reese leads her team in both blocks and kills. She’s closing in on 800 career kills and over 100 solo blocks.

Riley Gust, senior, Greenbush-Middle River

Gust comprises a scary frontline alongside Reese. Dahl said she reads the defense well and, like her running mate Reese, is approaching impressive career milestones. Gust is closing in on 700 kills and 100 solo blocks on her career.

Aidra Johnson, senior, Kittson Central

In her first year as a varsity starter, the middle hitter Johnson has 149 kills and 43 total blocks. She’s fifth state-wide with 31 solo blocks. 

“She is a very smart player who can see the court well offensively,” coach Tina Turn said.

Brenna McClure, junior, Sartell-St. Stephen

McClure has grown into her role as a middle hitter tremendously, coach Riley Johnson said.

“She sees the court well and is confident in her placement and position. She is humble yet determined and a key role on our team,” Johnson said. 

On the year, McClure has 109 kills, 15 solo blocks and 29 unassisted blocks.

Gabby Gartner, senior, Byron

Byron is 11-4 in a crowded 3A class and finding success in part due to its star middle blocker. Gartner has tallied 155 kills, 44 blocks and 135 digs for Shane Plummer’s Bears.

Alice Steman, sophomore, Cambridge-Isanti

No player in the state has had more solo blocks than Cambridge-Isanti’s Steman. She narrowly leads Minnesota with 43. The 5-foot-10 blocker has a 9-foot, 8-inch approach jump and has established herself as one of the state’s premiere blockers.

Ella Johnson, senior, Elk River

Johnson, with her 66 total blocks, leads the state of Minnesota. While Elk River has been middle of the back, Johnson and her expertise up front have been an exceptionally bright spot this year.

Kinley Soiney, freshman, Mabel-Canton

Soiney has burst onto the Minnesota volleyball scene. In just her freshman season she’s already developed into a force in the middle. Mabel-Canton is dominating in Class 1A with a 27-2 record and Soiney, with her 61 total blocks, has been a standout.