36 | Saturday, September 5, 2026 Elk River Star News
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Thunder volleyball loses opener to Totino-Grace
The Eagles swept the Thunder 3-0 on Thursday, Aug. 27
ERIK JACOBSON Contributing Writer
The Zimmerman girls volleyball team lost their season opening match to the Totino-Grace Eagles 3-0 on Thursday, Aug. 27, in Zimmerman. Set scores were 25-18, 25-14, and 25-15.
Set one was tied at 9-9, but the Eagles would go on a seven-point run to open up a 16-9 lead. Zimmerman responded with a sixpoint run to pull within one, 15-16, but the Eagles would finish the set on a 9-3 run for the final 25-18 score.
Another seven-point run by the Eagles broke open a close second set, giving Totino-Grace a 19-9 lead. The Thunder were unable to recover, and the Eagles cruised to a 25-14 victory and a 2-0 lead.
Set three saw the Thunder and Eagles tied at 11-11 before a 14-4 finishing run by the Eagles gave them a 25-15 win and the 3-0 sweep of the match.
Statistical leaders for the Thunder included freshman Ava Jorgenson with five kills, senior Avery Yonak with six assists, and sophomore Shannon Menz with 10 digs. Yonak, Ellie Wehmhoff, Hayden Ferguson, and Alissa Miller each recorded service aces in the match.
WHAT’ S NEXT
The Thunder’ s next home match will be a rivalry matchup against neighboring Princeton
Thunder cross-country looks to be competitive in 2026 season
Fall Sports Preview 2026
PHOTOS BY ERIK JACOBSON
Above: Zimmerman sophomore libero Shannon Menze handles a Totino-Grace serve as Alissa Miller( 4) and Alayna Palmer look on during the Thunder’ s 3-0 loss to the Eagles on Thursday, Aug. 27, at Zimmerman High School.
At right: Zimmerman junior Brooke Wendorf spikes past an Eagles defender during the Thunder’ s opening match against Totino-Grace on Thursday, Aug. 27. The Eagles defeated the Thunder 3-0. Zimmerman’ s next home match is against archrival Princeton on Thursday, Sept. 10, at 7 p. m. at the ZHS gymnasium.
on Thursday, Sept. 10, at 7 p. m. at the Zimmerman
High School gymnasium.
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ERIK NELSON Sports Reporter
After a strong 2025 season that saw the girls team qualify for the state meet as the Section 5-2A runners-up, the Thunder hope for a strong season from both the girls and boys teams this fall. The Thunder coaches anticipate that both teams will develop into strong competitors, create lasting friendships and discover their confidence.
Head coach: Lynda Bouley Key returning runners: Girls: Marissa Bouley, Charlotte Cox and Mia Opsahl
Boys: Jameson Cox, Nolan Fisher, Logan Kitzberger and Andrew Rindels
Key departures: Madison Fisher graduated and is now running
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cross-country for Bethel University’ s women’ s cross-country team in Mankato. Grady Wendt also graduated and is running cross-country for UW-Superior’ s men’ s team.
Important meets: Pine City Invitational, Thursday, Sept. 10; Cardinal Classic Invitational, Tuesday, Sept. 15; Roy Griak Invitational, Saturday, Sept. 19; Thunder Invite, Thursday, Oct. 1; Thundering Royal Elk Invite, Thursday, Oct. 8; Princeton Invite, Tuesday, Oct. 13; Mississippi 8 championships, Tuesday, Oct. 20; Section 5-2A championships, Thursday, Oct. 29.
Coach Bouley’ s expectations for 2026:“ My goal is for our athletes to stay healthy, build confidence, enjoy the process and continue improving their performances throughout the season.
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FILE PHOTO
The Zimmerman girls’ cross-country team qualified for the Class 2A state girls’ cross-country tournament after finishing second in the Section 5-2A meet on Oct. 23, 2025, at St. Cloud Apollo High School. The Thunder hopes to return to state this fall.
“ With the addition of a couple of talented younger runners, I expect our girls team to finish strong in both the conference and section this year, with the potential to make another run at a state berth.
“ Our boys team is young, and our focus will be on getting stronger and becoming more competitive as the season progresses. I expect us to improve on our ninthplace conference finish from last year and work our way toward the middle of the section.
“ We have some talented younger runners joining us this year. Keep an eye on Hunter Houle, Holly Houle, Ashtyn Wegner and Lincoln Smuda. I am excited to see how they develop throughout the season.”
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