Weekly Review #12: Ticket Punching

#3 posting 11.3.2008
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WEEKLY REVIEW #12: Ticket Punching
Last week 24 teams punched tickets to St. Paul. After weeks of only a few games viewed (only two); last week was a cornucopia of events. Everywhere I turned there were good players, good teams, and good matches. I sampled a few matches in each class, but most of the week was spent in AAA.
Most of the teams I saw this week I saw earlier in the year. There were a few new teams I saw---Meadow Creek and Concordia Roseville.

UPSETS
The week started with the civil war stunner with Lakeville South taking down Lakeville North. It was the first time the Southerners not only beat North, but it was the first time they took a set off the Panthers. That wasn't the end of the upsets. I got to see one more with Concordia Roseville sweeping home team Minnehaha in the 4AA championship.
In AAA being the #1 seed was no bonus. Owatonna, Woodbury, Blaine and Grand Rapids all were stopped short of state. Rochester Mayo returns to state after a 34 year absence, and it is only the city of Rochester's second time in the big show. Mayo was the #3 seed, but they weren't the lowest seed. That honor went to #5 seed Cretin-Derham Hall in section 4. They won twice in fivers with conference rivals #1 Woodbury and #2 Stillwater.
Two Northwest Suburban #2 seeds made the show---last year's runner up Andover is back and Osseo has returned for the first time since 2001.

Upsets were less frequent in AA and A. In fact all 8 #1s (there are two in each section) made the State tournament.

POWER PLAYERS VS BALANCE
There were some interesting match ups and style differences. Early in the week versatility and balance beat the power individual. Toward the end of the week power individuals were in the
Player, school, % of earned points
Amy Braun, Lakeville North .571 vs Lakeville South
Tori Dixon, Burnsville .514 vs Eastview
These two players didn't have another teammate reach double digit points on that night.

Tia Gaffen, Wayzata, .397 vs Hopkins
Katherine Harms, STMA .429 vs Alexandria
Ashley Wittman, Shakopee .500 vs Chaska
The difference with these teams---they had at least one other player that had double digit points.

STATE WORTHY & SEEDS
There were two contests in particular that deserved to be held in St. Paul---the 8AAA and 2AAA championships. Both contests kept fans riveted. STMA and Alex played to the maximum five and then extra points on top of that. Shakopee and Chaska played to a full gym of rabid fans. The sets weren't decided until late in the contest. It is too bad these contests weren't showcased at St. Paul. I would like to see the entire state seeded. That leads to seeding the current state tournament. This is the first year the state is seeded. Unfortunately the seeds are restricted to one through four. For some reason is is OK to give a team a #12 or #8 seed (depending on what section you are in), but heaven forbid a state team is saddled with an 8 seed. Think of the children....their whole season will be sham as they have to live with the stigma of the 8. Think of all the therapy those players will need with that slap at their dreams and self esteem. No one wants their fee-wings hurt. Do the right thing and seed full 1-8 or only seed the sections 1-4 too. Don't be a stinking hypocrite.

PROGRAMS
Some sections do a great job with programs for the sections. Sections 3, 4, and 5 all had programs with photos. Those programs are a great keepsake. The other sections I went to this week were simple sheets of paper with both rosters. As a historian and pack rat it is great to go down in my archives and look back on the old programs from the old days. They have more meaning. I hope more sections upgrade to full programs in the future.
As a further note....there were no problems or issues at any of the events, but at Minnetonka the staff went out of their way to set up a special table. So thanks Minnetonka for the help.

TEAM OF THE WEEK
This was a tough call. Obviously winning a section had to be a requirement. St. Michael-Albertville had a hard hill to climb. Alexandria had the momentum and energy leading 2-1. Things didn't look rosy for STMA. The Knights broke free from a 20 all tie in set four with the last five points. In the fifth set the Knights survived a 14-10 meltdown that saw Alexandria tie the game up. STMA then held off one game point to finish with the last three points and punch a ticket to state. STMA showed grit, determination, and resiliency to get there.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Ashley Wittman of Shakopee takes the honor for the third time this season. Wittman, in the wins over Chaska, had 9 or more points in each of the set wins. When the Sabers lost, Wittman had 7 points. At 6-1 and with her leaping ability she can put the down quickly and hard. Wittman had 11 FBSO kills on the night and 11 of the 20 points late in each set (from points 20-25).

Here is the rest of the team---there are two teams and probably could be more with middles getting the short shift due to space requirements.
FIRST TEAM
OH Ashley Wittman, Shakopee
OH Amy Braun, Lakeville North
MH Tia Gaffen, Wayzata
MH Lauren Grant, Eastview
RH Katherine Harms, St. Michael-Albertville
S Catherine Yager, St. Michael-Albertville
L Mollie Geske, Shakopee
SECOND TEAM
OH Karlie Lursen, Eastview
OH Ari Mewhorter, Blaine
MH Tori Dixon, Burnsville
MH Ariel Carlson, Alexandria
RH Amanda Unze, Chaska
S Anna Olson, Eastview
L Grace Sanders, Lakeville South

Those are some power teams.

Next up: tomorrow

Unkind Road for Gophers

#2 posting 11.3.2008
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COLLEGE REPORTS
D1
BIG TEN: The road has not been kind to the Gophers (1-3) in the last four matches. From the Minnesota Daily.

ACC: North Carolina swept Maryland with a margin of 15 points. Brianna Eskola (Columbia Heights) had 21 digs for UNC.

BIG EAST: Cincinnati swept Georgetown with a margin of 15 points. Kelsey Brandl (Lakeville North) had 2 points for the Bearcats.
Marquette beat Notre Dame in five. The margin was zero points. Tiara Russell (Osseo) and Leslie Bielski (Chaska) had 14.5 and 7.5 points for Marquette.

CUSA: UAB beat Marshall in four with a margin of 11 points. Megan Carlson (Andover) had 27 digs and 1 point for Marshall.

PAC 10: #5 Stanford swept Washington State with a margin of 22 points. Emily Rooney (Red Wing) had 8.5 points for WSU.

SEC: South Carolina beat Mississippi in four with a margin of 11 points. Bridget Denson-Dorman (Hopkins) had 50 assists and 11 digs and 4.5 points for USC.

SOUTHERN: Davidson swept Samford with a margin of 14 points. Brittany Narr (Minnehaha) did not score for Davidson.
The College of Charletson beat Furman in five with a margin of 5 points. Pamela Gehrke (Eastview) had 2 digs for Furman.

COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Ridgewater beat Madison Area Tech in four with a margin of 13 points to win the Region 13A title. Ridgewater moves on to the NJCAA D3 Tournament in Rochester starting on November 14. From the West Central Tribune.

Next up: later today with a look back at last weeks section action---9 matches

Late Saturday Results;

#1 posting 11.3.2008
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HIGH SCHOOL REPORTS
LATE SATURDAY RESULTS
AAA
SECTION 1: Rochester Mayo knocked off #1 seed Owatonna in four. The Spartans are headed back to state after 34 years. Husky coach Rod Nakagaki retired with 604 wins. From the Rochester Post Bulletin.

SECTION 2: Shakopee stopped Chaska in four. From the Shakopee Valley News.

SECTION 3: Marshall swept Yellow Medicine East with a margin of 28 points. From the Marshall Independent.

A
SECTION 3: Windom swept Minneota with a margin of 22 points. From the Worthington Daily Globe and Marshall Independent.

SECTION 4: SW Christian of Chaska is making their first trip to State after a sweep of Meadow Creek. From the SW Scoreboard.

SECTION 5: Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa swept Nevis with a margin of 18 points. From the West Central Tribune.

VIDEO
Hibbing and Deer River have video snippets of their section wins on KBJR.

ASSISTANT SUCCESS
Two of my former assistants are taking teams to the state tournament: John Yunker of St. Michael-Albertville is back for the second straight year; Bill Quan of Osseo is making his first trip with the Orioles.

Next up: College reports

5 Sets Rule in MIAC

#8 posting 11.2.2008
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D3 SATURDAY RESULTS
MIAC
In the battle of Northfield it was Carleton over St. Olaf in five with a margin of 9 points. Carleton led 2-0. Megan LaChapelle (Eagan) had 16 points for Carleton. Kim Smisek (Northfield) had 18 points for St. O.

St. Benedict beat Concordia Moorhead in five with a margin of 8 points. St. Ben's led 2-0. Emma Jaynes (Hibbing) had 29 points for St. Ben's. Jenna Green (DGF) had 10.5 points for CM.

St. Catherine beat Bethel in five with a margin of 8 points.

St. Thomas swept Augsburg with a margin of 14 points.

UMAC
Bethany Lutheran swept Northland with a margin of 22 points. Eva Voss (MN Valley Lutheran) had 16.5 points for BL. Alicia Wiebe (Ashland, WI) had 9 points for Northland.

Northwestern, MN beat UM Morris in five with a margin of 22 points. Kathryne Engel (West Lutheran) had 27 points for NW. Briana Czer (MN Valley Lutheran) had 18.5 points for UMM.

Presentations swept Crown with a margin of 24 points.

St. Scholastica beat Martin Luther in five with a margin of 14 points. Amy Thompson (Onamia) had 19.5 points for CSS. Amanda Zwick (Glendale, AZ) had 18.5 points for ML.

NON CON
Carthage swept UW River Falls with a margin of 23 points.

UW River Falls beat Concordia WI in five with a margin of 3 points.

UW Eau Claire swept Bethany Lutheran with a margin of 27 points. Katie Fox (Chippewa Falls) had 8.5 points for UWEC. Brittany Schreader (Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton) had 10 points for BL.

UW Eau Claire swept Northland with a margin of 19 points. Abby Freiborg (Renville County West) reached the 1000 kill mark. Danielle Lucia (St. Cloud Apollo) had 11 points for UWEC. Carrie Canfield (Florence, WI) had 14.5 points for Northland.

COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Hibbing swept Northland with a margin of 24 points.

Next up: tomorrow

Mankato Upsets Duluth

#7 posting 11.2.2008
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D2 RESULTS
NORTHERN SUN
UM Crookston beat Northern State in five with a margin of 11 points. UMC led 2-0. Amber Meyer (Paxton, NE) had 20 points. Kayla Ysteboe (Grand Forks Red River) and Jill Rasmussen (Sioux Falls Washington) each had 12.5 points for Northern.

#1 Concordia St. Paul beat #23 Wayne State, Nebraska in four with a margin of 11 points. Maria Steinhagen (Alexandria) had 17.5 points for CSP. Jennifer Hefner (Central City, NE) had 13.5 points for WSN.

#3 Southwest Minnesota State beat Bemidji State in four with a margin of 30 points. Maggie Geske (Shakopee) and Devin Diedrich (Braham) had 17.5 points for SW MN State. Melissa McNeely (Lakeville South) had 12 points for BSU.

MSU Moorhead swept Mary with a margin of 15 points.

MSU Mankato beat #17 UM Duluth in four with a margin of 10 points. Kimber Kuhl (Chaska) had 19 points for Mankato. Jamie Lakatos (Menomonie, WI) had 17 points for UMD.

#22 Augustana swept St. Cloud State with a margin of 11 points. Cayla Schroeder (Kasson-Mantorville) had 15 points for the Vikings. Kristen Stott and Jennifer Waterman had 8.5 points for the Huskies.

Next up: D3 reports

Another Triple Double for Lopez

#6 posting 11.2.2008
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MORE D1 SATURDAY RESULTS
ACC: Georgia Tech swept Virginia with a margin of 18 points. Marlow Bruneau (Lakeville) had 14 assists and 1.5 points for the Cavaliers.

BIG 12: Nebraska beat Iowa State in four with a margin of 16 points. Diane Kieger (Mounds View) had 7 points for ISU.

BIG EAST: DePaul beat Marquette in five with a margin of 1 point. Leslie Bielski (Chaska) and Tiara Russell (Osseo) had 14 and 13 points respectively.

MEAC: Maryland Eastern Shore swept Coppin State with a margin of 39 points. Chanita Wesley (Benilde-St. Margaret's) played but did not chart any stats.

MID AMERICAN: Ohio swept Akron with a margin of 15 points. Amanda Andersen (Centennial) had 7 points for the Bobcats.

MISSOURI VALLEY: Evansville beat Northern Iowa in four. Amy Sampson (Champlin Park) had 12.5 points for UNI.

MOUNTAIN WEST: Colorado State swept Air Force with a margin of 48 points. Tessa Nelson (Tracy-Milroy-Balaton) had 7.5 points for CSU.

SOUTHERN: Furman swept the Citadel with a margin of 27 points. Pamela Gehrke (Eastview) had 8 digs for Furman.

SUMMIT: North Dakota State beat IUPUI in four with a margin of xx points. Chrissy Knuth (Champlin Park) had 27 points for the Bison. NDSU's Jennifer Lopez (DGF) had a triple double 10 kills-35 assists-12 digs.
Western Illinois swept South Dakota State with a margin of 21 points. Mackenzie Angner had 16.5 points for SDSU.

WEST COAST: #22 San Francisco swept Portland with a margin of 19 points. Jennifer Sheedy had 7 points for Portland.

NON CON: South Dakota beat North Dakota in four with a margin of 10 points. Roseville's Laura Slagter had 17 points while sister Jolene had 14 assists and 2 points. Annika Smed (Albert Lea) had 16 points for UND.

Weber State beat Seattle in four with a margin of 15 points. The Jackson County Central duo of Leah Burmeister and Brittney Bisaillon had 14 and 12 points for WS.

Next up: D2 results

State Seeds Announced

#5 posting 11.2.2008
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STATE SEEDS
The seeds are out for the state tournament

Here is how the brackets look in AAA
#1 Shakopee vs Rochester Mayo at 9 am on court 1
#4 Wayzata vs Andover at 9 am on court 2
#2 Eastview vs Osseo at 11 am on court 1
#3 St. Michael-Albertville vs Cretin-Derham Hall at 11 am on court 2
This worked out as expected. The most interesting first round match up is Wayzata vs Andover.

Here is how the brackets look in AA
#1 Jordan vs Delano at 5 pm on court 1
#4 Hibbing vs Wadena-Deer Creek at 5 pm on court 2
#2 Marshall vs Concordia Roseville at 7 pm on court 1
#3 St. Cloud Cathedral vs Stewartville at 7 pm on court 2
I had Hibbing the #3 this morning and SCC #4. The most interesting first round match up is SCC vs Stewartville.

Here is how the brackets look in A
#1 Bethlehem Academy vs Deer River at 1 pm on court 1
#4 Ada-Borup vs Southwest Christian at 1 pm on court 2
#2 Windom vs Lake of the Woods at 3 pm on court 1
#3 Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa vs Martin County West at 3 pm on court 2
I had AB #3 and SWC #4. The reason I had SWC ahead of BBE was SWC's win in the A showcase in late September. Two of these match ups are intriguing---AB vs SWC and BBE vs MCW.

Next up: Other D1 results

Hoosiers Stun Gophers in Five, Penn State 1000

#4 posting 11.2.2008
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BIG 10 RESULTS
Indiana upset #13 Minnesota in five with a margin of 3 points. The Hoosiers have won four in a row. Erica Short had 25.5 points for Indiana. Brook Dieter (Bloomington Kennedy had 20.5 points for the Gophers.

#1 Penn State beat Iowa in a sweep with a margin of 31 points. It was Penn State's 1000th win for the program. Only five other schools have 1000+ wins. Nicole Fawcett had 17.5 points for PSU. Megan Schipper had 11.5 points for the Hawkeyes.

#20 Purdue beat #18 Michigan in five with a margin of 12 points. Stephanie Lynch had 25.5 points for Purdue. The Wolverines led 2-0. Beth Karpiak had 15.5 points for Michigan.

Northwestern swept Michigan State with a margin of 11 points. Sabel Moffett and Brittani Gray had 11 points for NW. Naomi Johnson (Bloomington Kennedy) added 4.5 points for the Wildcats. Mischelle Nelson had 9 points for MSU.

Illinois beat Ohio State in four. Michelle Bartsch had 18.5 points for Illinois. Katie Dull had 19.5 points for OSU. Susan Halverson (Apple Valley) had 5 digs and 1 point for the Buckeyes.

Also to come today the other D1 results, D2 results and D3 results, high school seeds. Plus the rest of the stories on the 4A and 4AA championships.

#1s Thrive and Alive in A

#3 posting 11.2.2008
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A PLAYOFFS
SECTION 1
Defending champ Bethlehem Academy beat Mabel-Canton in four with a margin of 23 points. Holly Hafemeyer had 24 points for BA. Kate Horihan had 27 points for MC. From the Faribault Daily News and Rochester Post Bulletin.

SECTION 2
Martin County West swept Sleepy Eye St. Mary's with a margin of 15 points. Alyssa Taylor had 14 kills for MCW. From the New Ulm Journal.

SECTION 3
Last year's runner up Windom swept Minneota. The links will come with Monday's papers.

SECTION 4
Southwest Christian (Chaska) is headed to state for the first time with a sweep of Meadow Creek. I will get back to the out & about later

SECTION 5
Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa swept Nevis with a margin of 18 points. Heidi Lensing had 25 points for BBE. From the St. Cloud Times.

SECTION 6
Ada-Borup beat Underwood in four with a margin of 29 points. Nicole Smart had 19 points for AB. Aann Bjorklund had 16 points for Underwood. From the Fargo Forum and Fergus Falls Daily Journal.

SECTION 7
Deer River swept Chisholm for their first trip to state. DR's margin was 22 points. During the year DR beat the Bluestreaks in five. DR's coach Connie Boyum-Erzar has been at the helm for 27 years. From the Duluth News Tribune.

SECTION 8
Lake of the Woods swept Northern with a margin of 16 points. Ashley Feldman had 14 kills for LOW. From the Grand Forks Herald.

All section winners were #1 seeds.
So this is how I would seed 1-8 (the state only has the courage to seed 1-4).
1. Bethlehem Academy
2. Windom
3. Ada-Borup
4. Southwest Christian Chaska
5. Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa
6. Martin County West
7. Lake of the Woods
8. Deer River

Next up: Big 10 results

Two #1s Fall in AA

#2 posting 11.2.2008
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AA PLAYOFFS
SECTION 1
Stewartville beat Caledonia in five with a margin of 2 points. Julie Rainey had 17 kills and 32 digs for the Tigers. From the Winona Daily News.

SECTION 2
Jordan won the rubber match with LeSueur-Henderson in a sweep with a margin of 25 points. During the year the two teams split their matches. LSH led 24-22 in set one before Jordan rallied for a 28-26 victory. Brittany Chambers had a 20/20 night with 27 kills and 22 digs. From the Jordan News and Mankato Free Press.

SECTION 3
Defending AA champ Marshall swept Yellow Medicine East. The papers that cover these teams don't publish on Sunday. Look for links on Monday.

SECTION 4
I reported (briefly) on the Concordia Roseville sweep of Minnehaha and will get back to the story later today.

SECTION 5
Delano returns to state with a sweep of Foley. Not a link to be found.

SECTION 6
St. Cloud Cathedral, last years AA runner up, beat Rocori in four with a margin of 6 points. From the St. Cloud Times.

SECTION 7
Hibbing topped Esko in a three set sweep with a margin of 25 points. The jump serve was a big weapon for the Bluejackets. From the Duluth News Tribune.

SECTION 8
#2 South Wadena-Deer Creek beat #1 North East Grand Forks in four with a margin of 19 points. WDC's Brigetta Berg had 32 kills and 27 digs. From the Grand Forks Herald.

All the section winners were #1 seeds except in Section 8 with #2 south Wadena-Deer Creek and Section 4 with #2 east Concordia Roseville.

Here is how I see the state seeds 1-8 (the state only seeds one to four)
1. Jordan
2. Marshall
3. Hibbing
4. St. Cloud Cathedral
5. Stewartville
6. Delano
7. Wadena-Deer Creek
8. Concordia Roseville

Next up: A results

Mayo Heads to State

#1 posting 11.2.2008
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AAA PLAYOFF RESULTS
SECTION 1
For the first time in 34 years a Rochester team is headed to the state tournament. #3 seed Rochester Mayo upset #1 seed Owatonna in five. Mayo is the only Rochester team to get to the state volleyball tournament and that was in 1974. Owatonna had a 12 point advantage on the night. The match also marked the end of a 19 year coaching career for the Huskies coach Rod Nakagaki. He had 604 career wins Owatonna led 2-1. From the Owatonna People's Press.

SECTION 2
I reported on the Shakopee four set win over Chaska last night. Here is the report in the StarTribune.

SECTION 3
There was going to be a first time entrant to the state tournament in this section and Lightning struck as #1 seed Eastview is headed to State with a four set win over Lakeville South. Also in the StarTribune report.

SECTION 5
#2 seed Osseo upset #1 Blaine in four. There was a late report on that last night.

So here are the section winners with section seeds
1. Rochester Mayo (#3)
2. Shakopee (#1)
3. Eastview (#1)
4. Cretin-Derham Hall (#5)
5. Osseo (#2)
6. Wayzata (#1)
7. Andover (#2)
8. St. Michael-Albertville (#1N)

It was a bad year to be a #1 seed in AAA.
Today the state seeds will be announced----only one to four.
However I will put these teams 1-8 if I was seeding
1. Shakopee
2. Eastview
3. St. Michael-Albertville
4. Wayzata
5. Andover
6. Osseo
7. Cretin-Derham Hall
8. Rochester Mayo

Next up: AA results

Special Report: 5AAA Osseo/Blaine

#8 posting 11.1.2008
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SECTION 5AAA
championship
OSSEO orioles 3, BLAINE bengals 1

I did not attend this contest, but here is the report---

#2 seed Osseo upset #1 seed Blaine (and #8 in the coaches poll) in four. The Bengals beat the Orioles during the season in a sweep. Osseo took sets one, two and four. Blaine won the third 25-23. Osseo won the fourth 25-23. Blaine led 21-20 when Osseo took a time out in set four. The Orioles finished with a 5-2 run. The final point came on a tip kill by Rachel Wiinanen. Karen Hiltunen had 9 kills to lead the Orioles and Rachel Pekarek had 19 digs. This is the first time Osseo has been to the state tournament since 2001. Blaine had been to the state tournament the past two seasons.

Next up: Tomorrow

Playoff Out & About: Shakopee/Chaska

#7 posting 11.1.2008
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SECTION 2AAA
Championship
SHAKOPEE sabers 3, CHASKA hawks 1
(25-21, 25-27, 25-22, 25-21)

In a battle of heavyweights it was defending AAA champ and current #1 team Shakopee stopping Chaska (AAA champ in 2005 and 2006) in four. As fitting a championship match this contest was memorable with both teams taking the best hits and continuing action. Sets lasted 35 minutes. The two met earlier in the year in the Apple Valley tournament with the Sabers winning 2-0. Ashley Wittman had 37 points for the Sabers. Shakopee is probably the odds on favorite to be the number one seed in the upcoming state tournament. The Sabers are 28-2. Chaska finished 24-5.

Again the energy was crackling as the stands were full. Fans were on the edge of their seats in each set. Each set was in doubt with margins two points of less when the score was north of 20. In three of those occasions the Sabers finished with either a 3-1 run or 3-0 run. Chaska held off set point with the Sabers for their only victory in set two. The odd fact in this contest---only two Shakopee rotations scored more than they allowed. Chaska had three rotations above .500. But Shakopee's second rotation---Mollie Geske's serve----racked up 30% of the Shakopee points on the night. The best Chaska rotation provided 21% of their points.

Shakopee broke free from an 8 all tie in the first set with a six point burst. Chaska took a time out trying to stop the momentum at 12-8, but Jean Theis added two kills after the break to make it 14-8. That was to be the Sabers biggest lead of the entire night. Chaska inched back into the contest with the help of the blocking game. Amanda Unze and Chelsie Stahl each had a block to cut the margin to 15-12. Neither team had a big run the rest of the way. Also neither team had a door slamming FBSO game. Chaska did have a string of four straight FBSO, but Shakopee found a way to get points on the next three serves as the race to 25 intensified. Chaska had two self inflicted errors for Saber points 21 and 22 which forced a Hawk time out 22-18. Unze delivered a side out block and then Bekah Saugen added a kill to cut the margin to 22-20. Ashley Wittman put down a kill and then finished the set with a FBSO kill. Wittman had 9 points in the first set. The odd thing was Chaska out "earned" Shakopee 17-15. The six point run, and the two points at 21/22 were key for the Sabers win in set one.

Chaska had strong starts in each of the remaining sets---none better than in set two with a five point run to lead 5-2. Stahl delivered two blocks in the run. Shakopee recovered and pulled ahead 10-9 after a three point run. Chaska had another three point run to take the lead 14-12. The Hawks didn't keep it long with three straight hitting errors. Side outs ruled the next five points. Chaska inched ahead at 18-17 after an overpass kill by Ellen Degler. Shakopee had their third three point run to go ahead 21-19. The Sabers were on the cusp of victory after a Wittman kill gave them a 24-23 lead. On set point the Sabers were in the net. It was Chaska's turn to have set point at 25-24 after a Shakopee time out. Wittman postponed the Hawks celebration to tie it at 25. Chaska got the side out with a Stahl kill. The second set ended on the second set point on Amanda Konetchy's kill.

Shakopee trailed 10-8 when they went on a 7 point run, 6 on Mollie Geske's serve. Wittman had four points in the run which Chaska tried to stop with a time out at 13-10. Chaska had a surge of their own with four straight points to close to 16-15. That forced a Saber time out. Chaska tied the game at 20 on an ace by Konetchy. Shakopee got a kill from Jean Theis for a side out. A Wittman kill forced a Chaska time out. Chaska did get a side out kill from Shelby Peterson to make it 22-21. Again Wittman knocked down two kills to put the Sabers at match point. The Hawks held for one point on a kill by Unze. Wittman again delivered the set ending kill. Again the key factors for the Sabers---a major run of 7 points and Wittman had 10 points.

It was Chaska enjoying their biggest lead of the night at 21-8 when Shakopee took a time out. Two side outs later Mollie Geske stepped to the service line and went to town. Shakopee went off on an 9 point run (including the side out kill by Wittman). That was the back breaker. A four point lead turned into to a five point deficit. Wittman had five of the points in that run. Chaska wasn't done yet. They scrambled back to trail 21-20 after a 5-2 run three kills by Peterson. That prompted a Saber time out. At the time Wittman was in the back row for the second of three cycles. The Sabers got breathing room with a side out kill by Mariah Monnens. Peterson delivered the last Hawk point and then Elizabeth Benusa and Wittman put down kills followed by a Benusa ace to punch their ticket to state. The Sabers have a chance to defend.

In all three Shakopee wins there was a common pattern----one run that went on longer than usual---6 to 9 points---and Wittman unleashed. In the Shakopee loss in the second set the runs were only the garden variety three, not the lengthy ones that made it hard for the Hawks to recover. Also Wittman only had 7 points in the second set compared to 9-10-11 in sets 1, 3, and 4.

you can see the entire Shakopee vs Chaska photo gallery at kevinanderson.photostockplus.com

rotation, player, position, aces-blocks-kills--totals
SHAKOPEE
1. Elizabeth Benusa, 2010, OH 2-0-9------11
2. Mollie Geske, 2010, L 1-0-0------1
2fr: Jean Theis, 2010, MH 0-1-4----5
3. Amelia Yager, 2010, S 0-0-2-----2
3fr: Megan Westlund, 2011, S 0-0-2------2
4. Ashley Wittman, 2010, OH 1-1-35-----37
5. Emily Schroers, 2011, DS 0-0-0------0
5fr: Claire Sames, 2012, MH 0-2-4-----6
6. Mariah Monnens, 2010, RH 1-1-8-----10
totals: 5-5-64------74 points, 26 points on Chaska errors

CHASKA
1. Shelby Peterson, 2010, OH 1-1-10----12
2. Kenzie Niesche, 2009, L 2-0-0------2
2fr: Ellen Degler, 2010, MH 0-1-5-----6
3. Maggie Finkel, 2009, DS 0-0-0-----0
3fr: Amanda Unze, 2009, RH 0-2-9-----11
4. Bekah Saugen, 2010, OH 0-2-6----8
4. Lynn Bielski, 2010, OH 0-0-1------1
5. Megan Kettler, 2010, DS 0-0-0-----0
5fr: Chelsie Stahl, 2011, MH 1-6-13-----20
6. Amanda Konetchy, 2010, S 1-0-2----3
totals: 5-12-46-------63 points, 28 points on Shakopee errors

TRENCH PLAYER
Ashley Wittman 12 FBSO kills, two set point finishes and 11 points in the 4th set.

BY THE NUMBERS
team, fbso/fbso attempts; fbso %; points, % earned; % allowed
Shakopee 32/56-.571; .740; .308
Chaska 33/55--.600; .692; .260
Runs 3+: Shakopee 9, Chaska 9
Longest string: Shakopee 9, Chaska 5
Missed Serves: Chaska 4, Shakopee 2
Time Out %: Shakopee 4/4-1.000; Chaska 3/6-.500

ROTATIONS
SHAKOPEE
1. Benusa 24-20 .545
2. Geske 30-14 .682
3. Yager 12-16 .429
4. Wittman 12-12 .500
5. Schroers 9-13 .409
6. Monnens 13-16 .448
totals: 100-91 .523

CHASKA
1, Peterson 18-25 .419
2. Niesche 19-23 .452
3. Finkel 14-12 .538
4. Saugen 13-12 .520
5. Kettler 13-9 .591
6. Konetchy 14-19 .424
totals: 91-100 .476

RACE TO:
Set: 5 10 15 20 25
set 1 S S S S S
set 2 C S S S C*
set 3 S C S S S
set 4 C C S S S
*won with extra points

BIGGEST LEAD
Team 1 2 3 4
Shakopee 6 3 5 5
Chaska 0 3 2 4

Next up: tomorrow morning

Playoff Out & About: Concordia Roseville/Minnehaha

#6 posting 11.1.2008
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

SECTION 4AA
Championship
CONCORDIA ROSEVILLE beacons 3, MINNEHAHA redhawks 0
(25-22, 25-13, 25-16)

Concordia Roseville got revenge for a regular season 4 set loss to TriMetro champ Minnehaha with a solid sweep of the host Redhawks. CR was the #2 seed in the East. This is the Beacons 10th trip to State, but the first since 2002. The whole match hinged on the first set. Concordia rallied for the win. After that the Beacons played with confidence and authority. The only time the Redhawks led after that was at 1-0 in the third set.

The Redhawks started off on the right note with four points with Katelyn Adams scoring two of the points on a block and kill. As quickly as MA led they put CR back in the contest with three straight hitting errors. MA went back in front 10-6 their last four point lead of the day. CR had a five point run starting with a missed MA serve followed by two Redhawk errors. CR led 12-11 when MA took their first time out. CR took a time out with MA up 17-16 after a three point run. Sarah Winter had two kills in the run. MA pushed their lead out to 21-19 after Winter's fifth kill of the set. After that CR closed hard with a 6-1 run. CR had two three point runs, both started on missed MA serves. Naomi Walther wrapped up the first set with a block, her 6th point of the first set.

That finished invigorated CR and took the spirit out of the hosts MA. CR raced to a 10-3 lead with two runs in the first three serves. MA took their first time out at 10-3. Lauren Koepke had three of the 10 points for the Beacons. Three of the Beacon points came on blocks. MA couldn't generate any offense off their serve. CR for the set had 11/12 FBSO. MA took their second time out at 19-10, but it didn't slow down the Beacons as they added two more points. CR increased their earned points from 13 to 18 in set two, while MA dropped two to 10.

MA opened the third set with the first point. Then the proverbial roof caved in. After a tip kill by Walther, Jenny Otte served up 10 straight points. MA took a time out at 7-1, but Otte served up four straight aces after the time out. MA was forced to take their second time out then at 11-1. MA did fight back with a four point run to close to 16-8. Three of the points came on CR errors. CR did take a time out at 16-7. The Beacons added to their totals at 21-10 after a run of three. MA had one last five point surge to close to 21-15. The Beacons closed with a 4-1 run to punch their ticket to state.

you can see the entire Concordia Roseville vs Minnehaha photo gallery at kevinanderson.photostockplus.com

rotation, player, position, aces-blocks-kills--totals
CONCORDIA ROSEVILLE
1. Sarah Frehner, 2009, S 2-0-1-----3
1fr: Abby Warner, 2009, RH 0-0-2-----2
2. Jenny Otte, 2009, OH 5-0-5-----10
3. Amanda Kramer, 2011, L 1-0-0-----1
3fr: Naomi Walther, 2011, OH 0-4-14----18
4. Sarah Tramm, 2009, S 0-0-0-----0
4fr: Lauren Koepke, 2011, RH 0-3.5-1----4.5
5. Mercedes Akinsanya, 2010, OH 2-0-5----7
6. Breanna Schafer, 2009, DS 2-0-1-----3
6fr: Elizabeth Reedstrom, 2010, MH 0-2.5-0-----2.5
totals: 12-10-29-----51 points, 24 points on Minnehaha errors

MINNEHAHA
1. Sarah Lucht, 2009, L 0-0-0----0
1fr: Emilia Kronschnabel, 2010, MH 0-1-3-----4
2. Allison Yaeger, 2009, OH 1-0-0-----1
3. Brigid Kelly, 2012, S 0-0-0------0
3fr: Natalie Welsch, 2013, RH 0-1-3-----4
4. Claire Anderson, 2010, serve 0-0-0-----0
4fr: Katelyn Adams, 2011, MH 0-2-6-----8
5. Sarah Winter, 2011, OH 0-1-7-----8
6. Sara Smith, 2010, S 1-0-0------1
6fr: Annie Wright, 2011, RH 0-0-0-----0
6fr: Anna Pawlenty, 2011, RH 0-0-1-----1
totals: 2-5-20------27 points, 24 points on CR errors

TRENCH PLAYER
Naomi Walther, another middle that controlled the net

BY THE NUMBERS
team, fbso/fbso attempts; fbso %; points, % earned; % allowed
Concordia Roseville 20/31-.645; 75;
Minnehaha 10/31-.323; 51;
Runs 3+: CR 11, Minnehaha 5
Longest string: CR 11, Minnehaha 5
Missed Serves: CR 6, Minnehaha 5
Time Out %: Minnehaha 2/4-.500; CR 1/3-.333

ROTATIONS
CONCORDIA ROSEVILLE
1. Frehner 11-10 .524
2. Otte 21-8 .724
3. Kramer 11-8 .579
4. Tramm 10-10 .500
5. Akinsanya 7-6 .538
6. Schafer 15-9 .625
totals: 75-51 .595

MINNEHAHA
1. Lucht 11-21 .344
2. Yaeger 8-10 .444
3. Kelly 7-9 .438
4. Anderson 11-10 .524
5. Winter 6-14 .300
6. Smith 8-11 .421
totals: 51-75 .405

RACE TO:
Set: 5 10 15 20 25
set 1 M M C M C
set 2 C C C C C
set 3 C C C C C

BIGGEST LEAD
Team 1 2 3
Concordia 2 12 11
Minnehaha 4 0 1

Next up: 2AAA championship

Playoff Out & About: SW Christian Chaska/Meadow Creek

#5 posting 11.1.2008
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

SECTION 4A
Championship
SOUTHWEST CHRISTIAN CHASKA stars 3, MEADOW CREEK saints 0
(25-17, 25-18, 25-11)

Southwest Christian of Chaska is headed to the state A tournament for the first time with a sweep of Meadow Creek. The Stars kept building strength as the day went on. Cassie Haag had 18 points to lead the Stars.

There must have been jitters early for both teams as both teams allowed runs on the first three serves. Meadow Creek ran off five straight to lead 5-3. That was to be the last time they scored on their serve in the first set. After that SWC put together 12 straight first ball side outs. Both teams traded 10 side outs. SWC missed three serves in that stretch. Haag started to heat up with two points, one on an overpass kill that forced MC to take their first time out trailing 13-10. At one stretch Haag had five of the eight Stars points. With nothing to show off the Saints serve it was hard to cut the margin. MC took their second time out trailing 22-15. The first set ended on a block by Angie Swanson.

SWC didn't quite have the same air tight FBSO game in the second set. MC had another good start with a run of four to lead 6-4. SWC used a five point run with Angie Swanson providing four straight points (five if you count the point right before the sequence). MC took a time out at 11-7. MC had one last thrust with a four point run to tie the contest at 12. Then SWC shut the door with four straight FBSO. SWC got Haag involved in a 10-2 run with six points. MC didn't help their cause with three straight missed serves including point 25.

MC changed their service order with the #4 spot becoming the #1 spot. MC was moving Tija Rudzitis away from Haag. It didn't faze SWC. They had their best start with an 8-2 run. That forced a MC time out. MC did close to 10-6, but again SWC had a door slamming FBSO game. They were 9/10 and .824 for the whole match. SWC had a six point run that took another MC time out at 15-6. For the third set MC earned only 5 points compared to 15 earned for SWC. The match ended on a Swanson kill and the Stars will be headed to State.

you can see the entire SW Christian Chaska vs Meadow Creek photo gallery at kevinanderson.photostockplus.com

rotation, player, position, aces-blocks-kills--totals
SW CHRISTIAN CHASKA
1. Lucie Miller, 2009, L 0-0-0-----0
1fr: Martha Perrel, 2011, MH 0-0-4----4
2. Jessica Carlin, 2010, RH 3-0-5----8
3. Emily Robertson, 2010, DS 1-0-0----0
3fr: Lacey Hazel, 2010, OH 0-0-2---2
4. Cassie Haag, 2009, 0-5-13-----18
5. Sarah Bremer, 2010, S 0-0-0---0
6. Angie Swanson, 2009, OH 1-1-11-----13
totals: 5-6-35-----46 points, 29 points on MC errors

MEADOW CREEK
MC started with this rotation in sets 1 and 2. In set three they started with the 4th spot (Rudzitis)
1. Lauren Sutherland, 2010, MH 0-0-3-----3
2. Lexi Bertsch, 2010, L 0-0-0----0
2fr: Danielle Carter, 2010, OH 0-1-2----3
3. Steph Rohwer, 2010, S 0-0-0----0
4. Tija Rudzitis, 2009, MH 0-2-8----10
5. Kelli Strandland, 2010, OH 0-0-4----4
5. Lisi Arnstrom, 2010, OH 0-0-0----0
6. Courtney Fregeau, 2010, DS 1-0-0-----1
6fr: Camille Bowers, 2010, S 0-0-1-----1
6fr: Annie Griffin, 2010, RH 0-0-0----0
totals: 1-3-18-----22 points, 24 points on SW errors

TRENCH PLAYER
Cassie Haag force in the middle

BY THE NUMBERS
team, fbso/fbso attempts; fbso %; points, % earned; % allowed
SW Christian Chaska 28/34-.824; 75; .613; .522
Meadow Creek 16/35-.457; 46; .478; .387
Runs 3+: SWC 12, MC 3
Longest string: SWC 6, MC 5
Missed Serves: SWC 11, MC 6
Time Out %: MC 4/6-.667; SWC did not take a time out.

ROTATIONS
SW CHRISTIAN CHASKA
1. Miller 15-11 .577
2. Carlin 16-6 .727
3. Robertson 16-9 .640
4. Haag 7-6 .538
5. Bremer 10-7 .588
6. Swanson 11-7 .611
totals: 75-46 .620

MEADOW CREEK
1. Sutherland 8-14 .364
2. Bertsch 9-16 .360
3. Rohwer 9-12 .429
4. Rudzitis 6-10 .375
5. Strandlund 6-9 .400
6. Fregeau 8-14 .364
totals: 46-75 .380

RACE TO:
Set: 5 10 15 20 25
set 1 M S S S S
set 2 M S S S S
set 3 S S S S S

BIGGEST LEAD
Team 1 2 3
SW Christian 8 8 14
Meadow Creek 2 2 1

Next up: 4AA Championship

Anderson 1000, Wilmeth 100

#4 posting 11.1.2008
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

D3 RESULTS
MIAC
Hamline beat Macalester in five with a margin of 14 points. Mac led 2-1. Amanda Booth (Champlin Park) had 18.5 points for the Pipers. Majra Mucic (St. Louis Park) also had 18.5 points for the Scots.

UMAC
Martin Luther beat Northland in four with a margin of 12 points. Northland's Melissa Anderson (Champlin Park) reached the 1000 career kill mark in the contest. She ended up with 18 points on the night. Amanda Polzin (Rhinelander, WI) had 11 points for ML.

UM Morris beat Crown in four with a margin of 16 points. Alison Pippo (Annandale) had 15.5 points for UMM. Laura Plowman (Minnetonka) had 17.5 points for Crown.

St. Scholastica beat Bethany Lutheran in four with a margin of 12 points. Amy Thompson (Onamia) had 24 points for CSS. Eva Voss (MN Valley Lutheran) had 16.5 points for BL.

Northwestern, MN swept Presentation with a margin of 23 points.
On Wednesday Northwestern coach Beth Wilmeth picked up career wins 100 and 101 with victories over Crown and UW Superior.

COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Ridgewater swept Western WI Tech in the semifinals in Region 13. The point margin was 26 points. From the West Central Tribune.

GAMES TODAY--
There are plenty of section finals today: All 8 in class A; All 8 in AA; and 4 more in AAA. I can't be at all of them. If you would like to submit a report, go to my profile and email me.
The best bets (all involve teams in the final top 10 coaches poll).
A: Section 1 #1 Bethlehem Academy vs #7 Mabel-Canton in Rochester at 5 pm
A: Section 3: #2 Windom vs #3 Minneota in Marshall at 5:30 pm
AA: Section 2: #1 Jordan vs #8 LeSueur-Henderson. They split on the year. At Gustavus at 7:45 pm.
AAA: Section 2: #1 Shakopee vs #5 Chaska. At Minnetonka at 6 pm

Next up: later today

UMD Upsets SW MN State

#3 posting 11.1.2008
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

D2 RESULTS
NORTHERN SUN
#23 Wayne State, Nebraska swept St. Cloud State with a margin of 24 points. It was WSN coach Scott Kneifl's 100 career win. Mindy Moody (Sioux City Heelan) had 16 points for WSN. Kayla Tschida (Upsala) had 9 points for SCSU.

Minnesota State Moorhead swept Northern State with a margin of 17 points. Kelci Guenther (Williston, ND) had 12 points for the Dragons. Kayla Ysteboe (Grand Forks Red River) had 18 points for Northern.

Minnesota State Mankato swept Bemidji State with a margin of 16 points. Ashley Nachreiner (Round Rock, TX) had 20.5 points for the Mavericks. Heather Sampson (Champlin Park) and Nicole Olson (Lake of the Woods) had 12 points each for the Beavers.

UM Crookston beat Mary in five with a margin of 2 points. UMC led 2-0. UMC's Jacklyn Slepicka (Crystal Lake, IL) reached the 1000 career dig mark.

Winona State beat Upper Iowa in four with a margin of 17 points. Kerry Daly (Woodbury) had 14 points for WS. Shea Meyerman (Camanche, IA) had 12.5 points for UIU.

#17 UM Duluth upset #3 SW MN State in a sweep. The margin was 12 points. Katie Gangelhoff (South St. Paul) became the all time leader in assists at UMD with 5598 in her career. Sarah Wyffels (Marshall) had 15.5 points for UMD. Laura Hegerle (Kasson-Mantorville) had 13.5 points for the Mustangs.

#1 Concordia St. Paul beat #22 Augustana in four with a margin of 4 points. Ellie Duffy (Totino-Grace) had 19.5 points for CSP. Ellen Andrews (Bancroft-Rosalie, Nebraska) had 19 points for Augustana.

Next up: D3 results

3rd Triple Double for Lopez

#2 posting 11.1.2008
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

MORE D1 NEWS
ACC: North Carolina swept Boston College with a margin of 15 points. Brianna Eskola (Columbia Heights) had 13 digs for UNC.

Clemson swept Virginia with a margin of 31 points. Marlow Bruneau (Lakeville) had 18 assists and 1.5 points for the Cavaliers.

BIG EAST: Marquette travels to DePaul and Notre Dame today and tomorrow.

CUSA: Memphis swept Marshall with a margin of 24 points. Megan Carlson (Andover) had 4 points for Marshall.

MID AMERICAN: Ohio beat Buffalo in five with a margin of 24 points. Buffalo led 2-1. Amanda Andersen had 8.5 points for the Bobcats.

MISSOURI VALLEY: Creighton beat Drake in four with a margin of 18 points. It was coach Kirsten Booth's 100th win at Creighton, the most of any Bluejay coach. Creighton's Jessica Houts (Bloomington Kennedy) had 16.5 points to lead both teams. Allie Oelke (Chaska) and Laurel Sanford (Eagan) had 13 and 4.5 points respectively.

Northern Iowa beat Southern Illinois in five with a margin of 10 points. Southern Illinois led 2-0. Amy Sampson (Champlin Park) had 18 kills for UNI.

PAC 10: #4 California beat Washington State in four with a margin of 11 points. Emily Rooney (Red Wing) had 7 points for WSU.

SEC: South Carolina swept Arkansas with a margin of 25 points. Bridget Denson-Dorman (Hopkins) had 34 assists and 2 points for USC.

SUMMIT: North Dakota State swept Western Illinois with a margin of 11 points. Jennifer Lopez (DGF) picked up her third triple double (11 kills, 12 assists, 23 digs). Kristen Hille (Sauk Rapids) led the Bison with 16 points.

IUPUI beat South Dakota State in five with a margin of 1 point. Mackenzie Angner (Cincinnati St. Ursula) had 31 points for the Jackrabbits.

Next up: D2 results

Some Tricks, Some Treats in the Big 10

#1 posting 11.1.2008
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

BIG 10 RESULTS
#1 Penn State swept #13 Minnesota with a margin of 22 points. PSU keeps it's unblemished set streak alive ---69 sets, 23 matches. PSU has 999 wins for their program. Tonight they play Iowa to reach 1000. Nicole Fawcett had 13.5 points for PSU. Lauren Gibbemeyer (Cretin-Derham Hall) had 9 points for the Gophers.

#17 Illinois beat #18 Michigan in five with a margin of 7 points. Michigan led 2-1. Michelle Bartsch had 27 points for the Illini. Megan Bower had 19.5 points for the Wolverines.

Indiana beat Iowa in five with a margin of 13 points. Iowa led 2-0. The Hoosiers took the final set 16-14. Erica Short and Ashley Benson each had 28 points for Indiana. Catherine Smale had 17 points for the Hawkeyes.

Michigan State "spooked" #25 Wisconsin in five with a margin of 5 points. Kyndra Abron had 22.5 points for the Spartans. Brittney Dolgner had 19 points for Wisconsin. Nikki Klingsporn (Tartan) had 47 assists and 12 digs for the Badgers.

Purdue swept Ohio State with a margin of 17 points. Denita Merlau had 16 points for Purdue. Katie Dull had 15.5 points for the Buckeyes. Susan Halverson (Apple Valley) had 2 digs for OSU.

Next up: More D1 action

Playoff Out & About: STMA/Alexandria

#5 posting 10.31.2008
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

SECTION 8AAA
Championship
ST. MICHAEL-ALBERTVILLE knights 3, ALEXANDRIA cardinals 2
(25-21, 22-25, 22-25, 25-20, 19-17)

In a Halloween classic, #1 South seed STMA beat #1 North seed Alexandria in a tight thriller/heartbreaker depending on which side of the bleachers you sat. The passion of the fans took on an added emphasis with the Halloween costumes. The fact is I went through a whole clip of photos and then some. I also had to move from my favorite angle on the bleachers due to the overwhelming Cardinal support than continually blocked my view. I perched myself in the end zone for unobstructed views, but photo profiles were sacrificed.

This had all the makings of a classic before it began: #1. Both teams were ranked in the coaches poll---STMA #4; Alex #7; #2 Both teams were ranked in the MaxPreps all state poll---STMA #5; Alex #6. #3. Both teams had two players each that will continue on with their volleyball careers after high school. The electricity was already crackling in the air. Throw in Costumes and the give and take and you come up with memorable volleyball. Rallies lasted longer, with players making digs and keeping the ball alive. With a ticket to state on the line you would expect nothing less than full effort. Both teams did that and more tonight.

Alex had a 2-1 lead in the contest. In the fourth set both teams were tied at 20 before the Knights closed with five straight points. In the fifth set, STMA led 14-10. Alex fought back four straight match points to tie it at 14. STMA had two more chances and didn't close. Alex then had one match point but it wasn't in the Cards for them at 17-16. Katherine Harms had the key side out point to tie at 17 and then served out. Alex was in the net for point 18, and Harms put down her 33rd kill of the night from the back row to make it a good Knight for STMA.

The first set was a back and forth until a 10-3 run by STMA broke the game open. Alex led 13-12 when the Knights started their surge. Alex took two time outs at 16-13 and 22-16 trying to stop the Knight momentum. In both situations it worked. STMA led 24-18 but needed four set points to close out the Cardinals. Harms had 12 points in the first set, including five of the last eight STMA points.

The first set featured four runs by both teams combined. Set two the runs doubled. STMA used the momentum in the first set to get out to a 7-4 run. Harms had three points at that time, but only had one more the rest of the set. Alex got right back into the fray with four straight points of their own. That was the start of a 11-2 Cardinal run to put Alex up 13-9. The pendulum swung back to the Knights as they embarked on a 10-2 run. Alex had to burn two time outs to halt the momentum, one with Alex up 13-12, the other at 19-15 STMA. The pendulum swung back Alex's direction after the second time out. The Cardinals closed with a 10-3 run with five different players putting down kills for Alex. STMA took their first time out at 20 and after the break exchanged three side outs to lead 22-21. The final four Alex points came on a block and kill by Jacque Brown and then two kills by Alicia Montbriand. The series was all tied up.

The theme of set three was a block party. Alexandria had 8 points on blocks in set three as the Knights didn't pierce their defenses. STMA had to resort to tips at times. Alex jumped out to a 5-1 lead. Of the first 9 Cardinal points in set three five came via blocks. STMA did close to 10-9, but Alex responded with a 4-1 run forcing a Knight time out at 14-10. Ariel Carlson delivered two blocks in that sequence. She had four for set three alone. After the time out both teams traded side outs for six serves. STMA had another push of three to cut the margin to 18-16 which forced the first Alex time out. Jacque Brown scored the next two points for Alex on a block (naturally) and a kill. Once again the persistent Knights closed the gap to 23-22 with two straight points by Carly Rothstein on an overpass kill followed by a block. Alex burned their second time out and got a kill from Samantha Dale. That prompted a Knight time out. The final point ended up with STMA in the net. There was jubilation among the Cardinal costumed crazies, with concern emanating from the STMA camp.

STMA broke open set four with a 7-1 sequence which started with two Alex hitting errors. The Cardinals took their first time out at 11-8, but STMA added another point before Alexandria sided out. Side outs ruled the court with 12 straight back and forths. For Alex, Carlson had three of the six FBSO points. For STMA Harms had three of the six Knight side out points. A disputed point stopped the exchange on Katie Brown's serve for the Cardinals. Either it was a back row attack ---a late call---or STMA was in the net. It negated what looked to be a kill by Marie O'Neil. Carlson added a kill after that to tie the contest at 18. Again it was back to the side out exchanges with STMA pulling out 21-20 after a Harms kill. She got the ball on the serve and didn't let go. Alex took their second time out at 22-20, but Harms kept serving right to the finish. Rothstein ended the set with a block and the match was now knotted at four.

Alex got the serve to start the fifth set. O'Neil put down a kill and STMA soon led 3-0. Alex grabbed a 5-3 lead with five straight points, their largest sequence of the night. The Knights were able to tie it up at 6 all on an ace by Harms. Dale put up a block for a Cardinal point. Brittani Wiese got the side out for STMA and Maria Berning put down a kill to tie at at 8. Two Cardinal hitting errors put STMA up 10-9 and forced a Alex time out. Nicole Throngard got a kill to tie at 10 after the break. STMA then ran off four more points, two coming on Alex hitting errors. That put the contest on the brink at 14-10. With their backs to the wall, the Cardinals held off four straight match points. Angela Christianson had a kill and a block for 12 and 13, and Carlson put down a kill to tie it at 14. Both teams then traded four straight side outs. STMA had two more match points in that run, but could close the deal. A hitting error by STMA put Alex one point away from St. Paul, but Harms put an end to those thoughts with a side out kill. She then went to the service line. In sets four and five she had missed three of her last four serves. She didn't miss the next two. Alex was in the net for point 18 and then Harms herself from the back row finished the grueling contest with a kill. STMA is going back to St. Paul for the second straight season, and 8th trip overall.
You can see the humongous STMA vs Alexandria photo gallery at kevinanderson.photostockplus.com. You might need to hold all calls when viewing these.

More to come

rotation, player, position, aces-blocks-kills--totals
ST. MICHAEL-ALBERTVILLE
1. Catherine Yager, 2009, S 3-3-5-----11
2. Lindsay Berning, 2009, DS 2-0-0-----2
2fr: Maria Berning, 2009, OH 0-1-11------12
3. Samantha Dick, 2009, serve 1-0-0-----1
3fr: Marie O'Neil, 2009, MH 0-3.5-2-----5.5
3br: Allie Knutsen, 2009, L
4. Katherine Harms, 2009, RH 2-1.5-33----36.5
5. Brittani Wiese, 2009, OH 0-0-10-----10
6. Allie Knutsen, 2009, L 2-0-0--------2
6fr: Carly Rothstein, 2010, MH 0-2-4----6
totals: 10-11-64------85 points, 28 points on Alex errors

ALEXANDRIA
1. Katie Brown, 2010, S 0-0-2-----2
1fr: Angela Christianson, 2010, RH 0-2-9----11
2. Greta Wood, 2009, DS 2-0-0-----2
2fr: Alicia Montbriand, 2009, OH 0-0-4----4
2fr: Nicole Throngard, 2009, OH 0-0-2----2
3. Ariel Carlson, 2009, MH 3-5-17----25
3br: Valerie Smith, 2009, L
4. Keely Gross, 2010, S 0-0-0-----0
4fr: Jacque Brown, 2010, RH 0-3-7----10
5. Samantha Dale, 2009, OH 0-3-12-----15
6. Valerie Smith, 2009, L 0-0-0----0
6fr: Sam Trumm, 2011, MH 0-5-1----6
6fr: Kaitlin Becker, 2011, MH 0-1-0----1
totals: 5-19-54------78 points; 30 points on STMA errors

TRENCH PLAYER
Katherine Harms rose to the occassion in set five with 8.5 points

BY THE NUMBERS
team, fbso/fbso attempts; fbso %; points, % earned; % allowed
STMA 37/65 -.569; 113; .752; .259
Alexandria 37/64-.578; 108; .722; .265
Runs 3+: STMA 13, Alex 10
Longest string: STMA 5, Alex 5
Missed Serves: STMA 11, Alex 2
Time Out %: Alex 6/10-.600; STMA 4/7-.571

ROTATIONS
STMA
1. Yager 24-20 .545
2. Berning 20-27 .426
3. Dick 18-22 .450
4. Harms 22-15 .595
5. Wiese 10-15 .400
6. Knutsen 19-9 .679
totals: 113-108 .511

ALEXANDRIA
1. Brown 23-20 .535
2. Wood 26-19 .578
3. Carlson 20-25 .444
4. Gross 14-11 .560
5. Dale 14-19 .424
6. Smith 11-19 .367
totals: 108-113 .489

RACE TO:
Set: 5 10 15 20 25
set 1 S S S S S
set 2 S A S S A
set 3 A A A A A
set 4 A S S S S
set 5 A S S

BIGGEST LEAD
Team 1 2 3 4 5
STMA 6 4 0 5 4
Alex 2 4 5 2 2

Next up: tomorrow