SUPERIOR — When Ashlee Pruse walked into the gym for the first day of practice this fall, she knew immediately that things were going to be different.

Just a year earlier, she was the starting right side for a Hawks team that won a Section 7AAA championship, which marked Hermantown’s first state tournament appearance since 2016. That team had nine seniors, so in her mind, change was inevitable.

Pruse is back as the lone senior for a Hermantown team that starts multiple sophomores and has had its fair share of growing pains this year. She is one of two captains alongside junior Sophie Schulz, so she knows how impactful her voice can be for a young team.

“Being a leader is about taking that role and trying to lead this team through hard times,” Pruse said. “I can’t get down on myself beca

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