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Hermantown’s varsity teams enter the first week of September with early season tests against familiar opponents.
The busiest schedule belongs to the boys soccer team, which opened with victories over Holy Family, 3-1, and Mesabi East, 4-1. The Hawks host Duluth Marshall at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday before traveling to Proctor for a 6:30 p.m. match Thursday. The Marshall game is an immediate rematch of last season’s Section 7A semifinal, won by the Hilltoppers 4-2. Senior captains Kestan Bradley, Quinn Raukar and goalkeeper Ethan Aysta remain central to Hermantown’s outlook, with Raukar returning after scoring 14 goals last season and Aysta coming off a 151-save season.
Girls soccer also opened 2-0. Vienna Kolenda scored three goals in a 6-0 victory over North Branch on Aug. 27, then scored twice in a 3-1 win over Big Lake two days later. Kaija Markovich scored in both victories, while Isla Radzak and Ava DeTray combined for the North Branch shutout. The Hawks travel to Duluth Marshall at 4 p.m. Monday and host Proctor at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
The volleyball team opened with a straight-set victory over Duluth Marshall, winning 25-20, 25-9 and 25-7. Individual statistics were not available. Hermantown hosts Esko at 7 p.m. Tuesday and Princeton at 7 p.m. Thursday. The Princeton match will provide an early test against a program Hermantown expects to challenge in Section 7AAA.
Girls tennis began the season 2-0 with victories over Duluth Marshall and Princeton. Alee DeVlieger has played at No. 1 singles, while Jillian Ritsche and Chloe Gustafson are unbeaten at No. 1 doubles. Nevie Homich has provided experience at No. 2 singles. The Hawks face three road matches in three days: Grand Rapids at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Rock Ridge at 4 p.m. Wednesday and Duluth Denfeld at 4:15 p.m. Thursday.
Football had its final preseason tuneup Saturday with a scrimmage at Esko. The Hawks open the regular season at 6 p.m. Friday at Duluth Denfeld. Senior running back Martin Sleen, quarterback Sawyer Senst and linebacker Landon Wrazidlo lead a Hermantown team that is expected to contend in Section 7, Class 4A. Sleen rushed for 1,908 yards and 29 touchdowns last season, while Senst continues his recovery from knee surgery.
The girls cross-country team is scheduled to compete at Rock Ridge at 4 p.m. Thursday.
