Sports Roundup: Fall Sports Season Begins For Skippers, Royals

The fall sports season has descended upon the area as several autumn squads from Minnetonka and Hopkins high schools have begun their seasons over the past week.

Minnetonka Volleyball

It’s been a grand start to the season for the Minnetonka volleyball team, as the Skippers went 3-for-3 in their first trio of matches.

Minnetonka opened the year with a win at New Prague (25-13, 23-25, 25-16, 25-13) last Thursday, then defeating Willmar (25-22, 25-18, 25-13) and Jordan (25-21, 24-26, 14-25, 25-20, 18-16) on Monday and Tuesday, respectively.

Individual statistics were not available. The Skippers host Hutchinson at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Minnetonka Girls Soccer

The Minnetonka girls soccer team started the season at 2-0 with a pair of non-conference victories.

A 3-0 home win over Andover on Saturday was followed up by a 2-1 defeat of visiting Minneapolis South on Tuesday.

Ellie Crowell leads the team with four points on a quartet of assists, while Taylor Morgan paces the club with two goals; Kelly Stacken, Abby Vogelsberg and Mary Stringini all scored once apiece over the opening set.

The Skippers host Anoka at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Minnetonka Boys Soccer

A split of the first pair of games began the Minnetonka boys soccer team’s season at 1-1.

The Skippers topped visiting Chanhassen, 3-1, last Friday, then lost 1-0 at Grand Rapids on Tuesday.

Marcus Speca, James Pickering and Jacob Worthen all scored in Friday’s win.

Minnetonka hosts Duluth East at noon on Saturday.

Hopkins Girls Tennis

So far the busiest of Hopkins' fall teams, the girls tennis squad is 4-1 in dual matches this season and also finished second at the New Prague Invite last Saturday.

At New Prague, Ida Ramic and Alex Johnson as well as the doubles teams of Shelby Benkofske/Rachel Sadowsky and Tess Stender/Margaret McDonnell all finished second; Mia Rafowitz and the duo of Natalie Ferris/Abby Isaacson took third, with Sally Guthrie claiming a consolation title.

In dual matches, Hopkins has topped St. Paul Harding (6-1), Totino-Grace (7-0), Roseville (5-2) and St. Louis Park (6-1), while losing to Visitation (4-3).

The Royals host Benilde-St. Margaret's at 4 p.m. Wednesday.

Hopkins Girls Soccer

With two wins in its first three tries, the Hopkins girls soccer team is off to a 2-1 start.

The Royals shutout Chaska (4-0) and Champlin Park (2-0) last Thursday and Friday, respectively, before losing for the first time in a 4-1 setback to eighth-ranked Burnsville.

Jillaine DeYoung scored twice over Hopkins' first two wins, with Paris Ebersviller, Leah Chase, Cody Webster and Corbin Boyd also logging a tally last week. Statistics for the Burnsville game were not available.

The Royals play at ninth-ranked Edina at 5 p.m. next Tuesday. 

Hopkins Boys Soccer

After winning its first game of the year, 1-0 over Chaska last Thursday, the Hopkins boys soccer team was defeated in two-straight contests.

The Royals were downed without a goal against Osseo (2-0) last Friday and 2-0 at Burnsville on Tuesday.

Individual statistics were not available. Hopkins plays at No. 8 Edina at 7 p.m. next Tuesday.

Hopkins Volleyball

The Hopkins volleyball team, ranked ninth in Class AAA, split its first two games to open the season at 1-1.

Following a 3-0 win at New Prague (25-20, 25-10, 25-23) last Friday, the Royals lost 3-1 to sixth-ranked Centennial (25-19, 22-25, 19-25, 16-25) on Tuesday at home.

Individual statistics were not available. Hopkins hosts Orono at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Results were not available for meets involving: Minnetonka cross-country, Minnetonka and Hopkins swimming/diving.