ELK RIVER STAR NEWS SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 2026 | 33
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Elk River, MN 55330.
Thunder volleyball less experienced at key positions
ERIK NELSON Sports Reporter
Fall Sports Preview 2026
Zimmerman graduated three key seniors, including an All- State athlete, in June
The Thunder reached the Section 5-3A championship match last fall but lost to Big Lake 3-2 on Oct. 29, 2025, at Zimmerman High School. Zimmerman hopes to compete for a section championship again this fall despite losing key players to graduation and injury.
Head coach: Mark Braun
2025 record: 10-12, 4-4 in the Mississippi 8
Conference Key returning players: Senior middle blocker Brooke Wendorf, senior outside hitter Alayna Palmer and senior setter Avery Yonak are the three returning starters from last year’ s team.
Key departures: All- State outside hitter Elle Bouten, libero Gracie Fischbach and setter Kylee Hayes graduated. Senior Lily Johnson will not play this season because of a season-ending ACL injury. She was Zimmerman’ s leading blocker in 2025.
Important matches: Tuesday, Sept. 1, at Orono; Thursday, Sept. 10, vs. Princeton; Tuesday, Sept. 15, at Monticello; Tuesday, Oct. 6, vs. Big Lake; Thursday, Oct. 22, vs. Duluth Denfeld
FILE PHOTO
The Zimmermangirls volleyball team put up a valiant effort in its Section championship loss to Big Lake on Oct. 29, 2025, losing 3-2 after forcing a fifth set when the Hornets took a 2-0 lead. Head coach Mark Braun( fifth from left) said the 2026 Thunder will experience some growing pains at the beginning of the season, but should be in the mix for a Section title once again this fall. Zimmerman begins its 2026 season with a game against Orono on Tuesday, Sept. 1.
Coach Braun’ s expectations for 2026:“ We have a young and less experienced team this fall. We are working to fill key positions and to become a cohesive team on the floor. I expect we will have some growing pains, but we will be in the right spot as we get later into the season.”
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