The 6th annual Side Out Classic is the top season-opening volleyball event in the state
The one-day, 18-match showcase at Edina High School features great bragging rights battles between 36 top teams from across the state
EDINA, Minn. (August 15, 2019) – For the sixth straight year, BREAKDOWN SPORTS USA is bringing the annual premier season-opening one-day showcase to high school volleyball in Minnesota. Thirty-six top teams from across the state will begin their season at our 6th annual Side Out Classic. The one-day showcase at Edina High School on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019 features 18 matches on three courts, beginning at 9 a.m. and running through the evening.
Only the best programs in the state are invited, featuring 14 teams that are listed among the top-15 in the Breakdown preseason poll, including two of three No. 1 teams (North Branch in Class 2A and Medford in Class 1A). It’s a cross-section of the best teams in the state from all three classes.
The matches will be held at Edina High School for the first time this year. Each team will play one unique match against an opponent they may not see in conference or section play. The goal of this event is to open the high school season with unusual and great match-ups between premier programs.
SIDE OUT CLASSIC: 2019
Aug. 24, 2019 at Edina High School
COURT 1
Time Team Team
9:00 a.m. St. Louis Park Jordan
11:00 a.m. Moorhead (No. 15AAA) Chanhassen
1:00 p.m. Minneota (No. 5A) Medford (No. 1A)
3:00 p.m. North Branch (No. 1AA) SW Christian (No. 8AA)
5:00 p.m. Minnetonka (No. 12AAA) Stillwater (No. 2AAA)
7:00 p.m. Champlin Park (No. 4AAA) Wayzata (No. 3AAA)
COURT 2
Time Team Team
9:00 a.m. Cannon Falls New Life Academy
11:00 a.m. North St. Paul (No. 10AAA) St. Michael-Albertville (No. 13AAA)
1:00 p.m. Eastview Elk River
3:00 p.m. Waconia Maple Grove
5:00 p.m. Tartan Osseo
7:00 p.m. Willmar Edina
COURT 3
Time Team Team
9:00 a.m. Ogilvie White Bear Lake
11:00 a.m. Heritage Christian Pine River-Backus
1:00 p.m. Bemidji Centennial
3:00 p.m. Blaine Maple Lake (No. 13AA)
5:00 p.m. St. Paul Academy Orono
7:00 p.m. Caledonia (No. 2A) Kenyon-Wanamingo (No. 3A)
A quick look at the 36 teams and 18 matches shows dozens of possible outcomes and intriguing match-ups. But here are the numbers behind five of our favorites:
- Two of our three preseason top-ranked teams are playing. Want an early look at who we expect to raise the state championship trophies in November? You’ll get a chance with No. 1-2A North Branch taking on No. 13-3A St. Michael-Albertville at 11 a.m. on Court 2, and No. 1-1A Medford playing No. 5-1A Minneota at 1 p.m. on Court 1. We also have two of the top three teams in Class 3A in action, with No. 2-3A Stillwater facing No. 12-3A Minnetonka at 5 p.m. and No. 3-3A Wayzata squaring off with No. 4-3A Champlin Park at 7 p.m., both on Court 1.
- Five of our preseason Miss Volleyball candidates are in action. Nearly half of our 12 preseason Miss Volleyball favorites from the book are expected to play, including cover girl Cianna Selbitschka from North Branch. We’ll also see Wayzata’s Elizabeth Helmich, Maddie Whittington from Stillwater, Kali Wolf of Waconia, and Ally Peterson from Kenyon-Wanamingo.
- New venue. After holding the previous five Side Out Classics at Hopkins High School’s Lindbergh Center, this year we’ll be at Edina High School. Courts 1 and 2 are in the brand new high school gym in the activity center, while Court 3 is in the north gym at the high school.
- Eight defending section champions will be there. An even third of last year’s state tournament field will be playing, as we’ll host Edina, Champlin Park, Moorhead, and Stillwater from the Class 3A field; North Branch from the Class 2A field; and Medford, Minneota, and New Life Academy from the Class 1A field.
- A big number of preseason All-Breakdown players on site. Yes, the list is deep and talented — and split fairly evenly amongst classes and courts. On Court 1, the Medford vs. Minneota battle has three All-Breakdown picks in Emma Kniefel of Medford and Abby Hennen and Natalee Rolbiecki of Minneota. North Branch features outside hitter Cianna Selbitschka, and take a peek at Champlin Park’s Sami Hilley playing against Wayzata’s Elizabeth Helmich, as well as Stillwater’s strong middle Maddie Whittington. On Court 2, Waconia will be led by outside hitter Kali Wolf, North St. Paul features setter Lauren Stenman, and Osseo is anchored by libero Taylor Quan. And on Court 3, Lydia Lange (Caledonia) made our All-Breakdown preseason list in Class 1A, as well.
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PRESS/MEDIA INFORMATION
IMPORTANT: MEDIA CREDENTIALS ARE LIMITED DUE TO SPACE! CONTACT DEAN KESLER by email at dkesler@breakdownsportsusa.com TO APPLY FOR A MEDIA PASS.
No press or media credentials will be accepted at the gate other than those with prior approval from the Breakdown. All photography or video taken at the event is for editorial purposes only. No resale of photographs or reproduction of images will be allowed without the written consent of Breakdown Sports Media Inc.