Out & About: Minnesota/Illinois

#5 posting 11.10.2006
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

MINNESOTA 3, ILLINOIS 0
30-22, 30-24, 30-23

Minnesota got back on the winning track and took out last week's Michgan loss on Illinois. Illinois looked like they were just going through the motions to play out the season.
Minnesota was able to get many second line players in the game and, for the most part, didn't suffer a severe drop in production.

The stories from each school are here for Minnesota and Illinois with a box as well.


NUMBER CRUNCHING
team, fbso/serves--fbso%; pts scored, % earned, % allowed
Minnesota 29/46---.630; 90; .789; .391
Illinois 21/45---.467; 69; .754; .211

ROTATION POINTS
MINNESOTA
1 Tan 12-12 .500
2 Peniata 26-18 .591
3 Bowman 14-12 .538
4 Crumpston 14-10 .583
5 Nelson 12-8 .600
6 Hartmann 14-8 .636
Totals : 90-69 .566

Hartmann's rotation is sharpening up. For most of the season it was sub .500. All the numbers were healthy except rotation 1.

Next up: tomorrow morning

Out & About: Minneota/Central Christian

#4 posting 11.10.2006
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

A SEMIFINALS
MINNEOTA 3, CENTRAL CHRISTIAN 2
22-25, 25-19, 25-16, 21-25, 15-12

The original idea was to watch this game in full, but the LN/Blaine game started about 20 minutes late because the Wayzata/Moorhead game ran late. Then that game also went a nailbiting five. After the game I needed to eat, so by the time I went over to court 1 (LN/B was on court 2) the game was already done with two games. So I will just give a brief idea of the games.

More runs, less fbso in game three. Minneota had lefty Alyssa Buysse serve up six points. To give you an idea how quick this game was it was over in 8 servers. No one could stop any one.

In game four Minneota built a 5-1 lead, but never halted Central Christian's chances and they took the lead at 17-12. Both teams got their fbso mojo back in this game and Central Christian slammed the door on Minneota the last 8 of 9 servers. CC did close to 23-20, but the fbso did the trick. This pushed the match to five games.

This game had the flavor of game three where everybody scored and runs came in bunches. There were five runs of three or more by both teams combined out of 11 possible servers. Claire Kopfmann of Minneota ended the game with a kill out of the middle. She also had the largest run of four service points starting off with an ace.

MINNEOTA
1 Hayley Hennen, S, 5-6, 2007, 1-0-1---2
2 Leah Fadness, OH, 5-6, 2010, 1-0-1---2
3 Claire Kopfmann, MH, 5-10, 2008, 2-3.5-10--15.5
4 Alyssa Buysse, RH, 5-10, 2007, 1-1.5-6---8.5
5 Steph Boulton, OH, 5-8, 2008, 0-0.5-5---5.5
6 Brooke Minnehan, L 5-6, 2007 0-0-0---0
6fr Samantha Hennen, MH, 5-6, 2010, 0-1.5-4--5.5
Totals: 5-7-27---39 points, 22 points on Central Christian errors

CENTRAL CHRISTIAN
1 Kresson Vreeman, S, 5-8, 2007, 2-0-8---10
2 Kaitlyn Link, OH, 5-7, 2008, 1-0-0---1
3 Moriah Gulbranson, L, 5-7, 2007, 1-0-0---1
4 Cassandra Ulferts, S, 5-9, 2008, 0-0-4---4
5 Jennifer Blom, OH, 5-7, 2007, 0-0-2---2
6 Rachelle Marcus, OH, 5-6, 2011, 0-0-0---0
*Abby Tebben, OH, 5-8, 2008, 0-0-3---3
* Kari Mulder, MH, 5-10, 2007, 0-0-3---3
* Tara Frikke, MH, 5-8, 2007, 0-0-3
Totals: 4-0-23---27 points, 26 points on Minneota errors

PLAYER OF THE GAME
Claire Kopfmann

NUMBER CRUNCHING
team, fbso/serves--fbso%; pts scored, % earned, % allowed
Minneota 15/28---.536; 61; .639; .491
Central Christian 14/29---.483; 53; .509; .361
If you want the real full stats try the MSHSL site. Both teams allowed way too many points.

ROTATION POINTS
MINNEOTA
1 Hennen 15-10 .600
2 Fadness 12-14 .462
3 Kopfmann 9-8 .529
4 Buysse 11-9 .550
5 Boulton 5-7 .417
6 Minnehan 9-5 .643

CENTRAL CHRISTIAN
1 Vreeman 11-7 .611
2 Link 10-16 .385
3 Gulbranson 11-12 .478
4 Ulferts 10-5 .667
5 Blom 4-8 .333
6 Marcus 7-13 .350
Vreeman was in the front row on Ulferts serve.

Next up: Minnesota vs Illinois in Big 10 action

Out & About: Lakeville North/Blaine

#3 posting 11.10.2006
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

AAA SEMIFINALS
LAKEVILLE NORTH 3, BLAINE 2
18-25, 24-26, 25-23, 25-22, 15-12

Lakeville North came back with one foot in the grave to advance to the finals in AAA. LN was down 2-0 and on the verge in game three trailing 23-22 before Kelsey Brandl took control. They then took the last two from a Blaine team that may have opened a few eyes today.

The story of this game, as in all games, is one of first ball side out (fbso). In the first 25 LN servers Blaine had the door barred to any scoring with a .760 fbso %. But toward the end of game two a shift started. Blaine couldn't get the fbso on the last two serves. LN outscored Blaine 7-3 in that game. Blaine's fbso in the last three games was .417. It was a reverse mirror image for LN. LN was .480 in the first two games, .606 for the last three. The breakdown started with Blaine errors, with passing and hitting errors piling up and LN hung around. They started to get their mojo back and felt good about themselves. They were more aggressive on the serve, and played air tight defense. Jessica Granquist of Blaine had 11 kills in the first two games, but only five the next two, zero in game five. The left side attack that was piling up points in the first frames was shut down late. In game five only two of the 8 points came off left side attacks. Blaine had better success from the right side.

In game one Blaine controlled the action and looked confident. They sided out 8 of the first 9 LN servers. They led 20-12 when they didn't get the fbso on the last two LN servers. That pushed the game to 23-18 and Blaine took their first time out. A hitting error, and then a block from Jackie Kelly ended the first frame.

Both teams werre in fbso mode with 10 of the first 11 over and out in one serve. But runs were few and far between for Blaine. They did have two runs of three twice early with points 11-13, and hen 14-16. Their final 3 run occured with 19-21. Ari Mewhorter had a kill and a block to but Blaine up 23-17. LN came back with three straight, but missed the serve to keep it alive. Blaine only needed one more, but Dani Roers had a kill for the fbso on Cook's serve. Kayla Kirby then tied the game at 24 with three more points. Brandl had a hand in two of the points. Granquist got the side out, and then Brandl missed on a slide attack that drifted to close to the scorer's table. Blaine had a hard fought game two win.

Game three was the pivot point. LN had the early advantage after Brandl's serve up 8-5. Lindsey Baumgartner got Blaine back into the mix with four service points all the result of Cook kills. Blaine led 14-11. Blaine maintained the advantage up to 21-19. Taylor Fieldsted was able to squeeze two points. The first point came on a hitting error. Blaine took a time out, and Brandl then blocked a Cook attack. LN's own hitting error gave the ball back to Blaine tied up at 22. Cook had a block to give Blaine a 23-22 lead. Brandl got the side out and then on Torey Broback's serve Dani Roers put down a kill and then Brandl finished it with her own.

LN led 8-6, but Blaine did have a spurt of four straight points to take a 12-10 lead off of Baumgartner's serve. But the fbso game was shifting to LN. Blaine was 3/7 with the last seven servers; LN 5/7. LN regained the lead and momentum at 15-13. Blaine burned a time out and did get the ball back with a Mewhorter tip kill. Blaine closed to 21-19, but LN deliverd three points to hold a commanding 24-19 lead. Granquist had a kill from the back row and then two points to make it 24-22. Brandl again finished with a kill after a LN time out.

LN won the serve and Brandl delivered the first point via the block. Blaine did not get fbso on the last five LN servers. LN built the lead to 13-7 when Jackie Kelly took over. She had a dump for the side out and then served up four points. Cook had two kills, while Mewhorter twice blocked Brandl. LN got the ball back on a Cook hit the sailed behind the service line. This time it was Dani Roers putting the ball on the floor for point 15.

rotation, player, position, ht, year, aces, blocks, kills-totals
LAKEVILLE NORTH
1br Taylor Fieldsted, L, 5-6, 2008, 0-0-0---0
1fr Amanda Anderson, MH, 5-11, 2007 0-1-6---7
2 Torey Broback, DS, 5-9, 2007 1-0-0----1
2fr Kristen Zeise, RH, 5-11, 2008, 0-0-0---0
3 Kayla Kirby, DS 5-5, 2008 0-0-0---0
3fr Dani Roers, OH, 5-9, 2007 0-0-15---15
4 Kelsey Brandl, MH, 6-2, 2008, 1-4.5-16---21.5
4 Lindsey Weaver, Server, 5-3, 2008, 1-0-0---1
5 Cori Revsbeck, S, 5-7, 2007, 0-0.5-0----0.5
5fr Kirsten Ostergaard, S, 5-9, 2008, 0-0-0---0
6 Amy Braun, OH, 5-10, 2009, 2-0-18---20
Totals: 5-6-55---66 points, 41 points on Blaine errors

BLAINE
1 Lindsey Baumgartner, MH, 5-11, 2007, 0-0.5-10---10.5
2 Jackie Kelly, S, 5-8, 2007, 0-1.5-4---5.5
3 Kristin Cook, OH, 5-9, 2007, 0-0-18---18
3br Jane Ollila, L, 5-5, 2007, 0-0-1---1
3br Alex Suda, DS, 0-0-0---0
4 Ari Mewhorter, MH, 6-0, 2009, 1-8.5-13---22.5
4br Ashley Kuduk, DS, 5-4, 2007, 0-0-0---0
5 Molly Kreklow, S, 6-0, 2010, 1-1.5-1---3.5
6 Jessica Granquist, OH, 5-7, 2008, 1-0-16---17
Totals: 3-12-63---78 points, 30 points on Lakeville North errors

PLAYER OF THE GAME
Kelsey Brandl

NUMBER CRUNCHING
team, fbso/serves--fbso%; pts scored, % earned, % allowed
Lakeville North 32/61---.524; 107; .617; .278
Blaine 34/61---.557; 108; .722; .383
Looking at the State HS web site they give more detailed stats than I give. However they are more generous on kills, aces, and blocks LN had 8 more points earned according to them with Blaine earning six more.
Ironic fact: Blaine outscored LN by one in total points.

ROTATION POINTS
LAKEVILLE NORTH
1 Fieldsted 24-30 .444
2 Broback 20-15 .571
3 Kirby 17-17 .500
4 Brandl/Weaver 20-13 .606
5 Revsbeck 11-14 .440
6 Braun 15-19 .441
totals 107-108 .498
Weaver, Apple Valley coach Walt Weaver's daughter, came in game four and served up five points in two rotations. She added two more in game five.

BLAINE
1 Baumgartner 26-20 .565
2 Kelly 25-21 .543
3 Cook 16-20 .444
4 Mewhorter 16-16 .500
5 Kreklow 14-16 .467
6 Granquist 11-14 .440
Totals: 108-107 .502


Next up: A Seminfals: Minneota/Central Christian

Lake Conference Invitational

#2 posting 11.10.2006
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

HS RECAP
AAA
The Semis look like a Lake conference invitational. Blaine is the only non Laker to crash the party.
Chaska was the first in after they swept Wayzata. From the Chaska Herald.
Lakeville North's game with Marshall leads the Star Tribune's AAA Coverage. From the Marshall Independent and Pioneer Press too.
I told you about the other games yesterday.

AA
LeSueur-Henderson took out Virginia in three 13, 18, 12. From the Mankato Free Press, also in the Duluth News Tribune.
They are joined in the semis with Minnesota River rival Jordan. They beat St. Cloud Cathedral in five in the longest match yesterday. from the St. Cloud Times.
I wrote about the Stewartville/Lake of the Woods game last night. Now the Grand Forks Herald tells their side.
Pipestone topped Montevideo in four. From the Worthington Daily Globe and West Central Tribune.

A
Minneota rolled into the semis with a 9, 19, 15 sweep over Meadow Creek Christian. From the Marshall Independent.
Climax-Fisher downed Littlefork-Big Falls in a sweep. From the Grand Forks Herald.
Central Christian advanced with a four game win over Bertha-Hewitt. From the West Central Tribune.
Bethlehem Acadmey also won with a sweep over Wheaton. You have to be a subscriber to read the Faribault Daily News however.

The StarTribune has very brief summaries of the AA/A action.

SIGNING
April Hansen, Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa signed with UM Duluth. The 6-1 MH was Central MN conference player of the year.

ALL CONFERENCE
The Little 8 released their all conference list and Ashley Peterson of Underwood was the MVP of the league. From the Fergus Falls Daily Journal.

NUMBER CRUNCHING
ASSISTS
5 games
AA
Amanda Dietel, Jordan 57 vs St. Cloud Cathedral 3-2

DIGS
5 games
AAA
Taylor Fieldsted, Lakeville North 20 vs Marshall 3-2
AA
Brittany Chambers, Jordan 20 vs St. Cloud Cathedral 3-2
4 games
A
Kresson Vreeman, Central Christian 27 vs Bertha-Hewitt 3-1
3 games
A
Lauren Kracht, Wheaton 23 vs Bethlehem Academy 0-3

KILLS
5 games
AAA
Amanda Beekman, Marshall 22 vs Lakeville North 2-3
AA
Leah Dietel, Jordan 32 vs St. Cloud Cathedral 3-2
Brittany Chambers, Jordan 27 vs St. Cloud Cathedral 3-2
Anna Zyvoloski, St. Cloud Cathedral 20 vs Jordan 2-3

Next up: later today with tournament action

Semifinals Set for D2, D3 Regions

#1 posting 11.10.2006
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

GOPHER WEEKEND
The MN Daily highlights the upcoming weekend. They will try to shake that unexpected loss to Michigan. Illinois and Northwestern may face some Gopher wrath. It is also "Hometown" days today for Kelly Bowman and Malama Peniata.

NORTH CENTRAL TOURNAMENT
#6 Augustana upset #3 Nebraska Omaha in a sweep 28, 24, 27. They now face UM Duluth.

#2 UM Duluth advanced to the semis after a sweep of MSU Mankato 28, 24, 25.

#1 Concordia St. Paul didn't have the problems they had with Northern State last week in a 24, 19, 14 sweep. CSP's Maggie McNamara set a school record with 1864 assists.

#4 Wayne State ended SW MN State's season in four games. After a split of the first two games Wayne State won 24, 27. From the Marshall Independent.

D3 MIDWEST REGIONAL
St. Thomas upset UW Oshkosh in five. St. Thomas had their backs to the wall down 2-1.

Concordia Moorhead went four games to down Beloit.

Eau Claire had to go five to beat Carthage. They too trailed 2-1 before mounting their rally. The final game went extra points 17-15.

In the Midwest region has named its all region team and Tim Mosser, Concordia Moorhead was named coach of the year.

Azerbaijan upset the United States in five games in the World championships. Azerbawho? the US knows now not to overlook teams. From the Pioneer Press.

NUMBER CRUNCHING
ASSISTS
5 games
D3
Carly Freiborg, Eau Claire 61 vs Carthage 3-2
Leah Stumpf, Oshkosh 50 vs St. Thomas 2-3
4 games
D2
Brittany Coleman, Wayne State 52 vs SW MN State 3-1
3 games
D2
Katie Agnew, UN Omaha 49 vs Augustana 0-3
Maggie McNamara, Concordia St. Paul 49 vs Northern State 3-0
Katie Gangelhoff, UM Duluth 47 vs MSU Mankato 3-0

DIGS
5 games
D3
Katie Kremer, St. Thomas 23 vs Oshkosh 3-2
Katie Beining, Oshkosh 22 vs St. Thomas 2-3
Shanna Berger, Eau Claire 22 vs Carthage 3-2
Samantha Schmidt, Oshkosh 20 vs St. Thomas 2-3
4 games
D2
Laura Dolezal, Wayne State 31 vs SW MN State 3-1
Erin Contons, SW MN State 24 vs Wayne State 1-3
Sarah Quiram, SW MN State 23 vs Wayne State 1-3
D3
Anna Walden, Concordia Moorhead 25 vs Beloit 3-1
3 games
D2
Stacie Wemhoff, UN Omaha 27 vs Augustana 0-3
Abby Schmidt, Augustana 21 vs UN Omaha 3-0

KILLS
5 games
D3
Jodi Dunbar, Eau Claire 23 vs Carthage 3-2
Jessica Groh, Eau Claire 22 vs Carthage 3-2
Rachelle Dosch, St. Thomas 21 vs Oshkosh 3-2
4 games
D2
Erin Contons, SW MN State 29 vs Wayne State 1-3

Next up: HS recaps from yesterday

Out & About: Stewartville/Lake of the Woods

#4 posting 11.9.2006
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

AA QUARTERFINALS
STEWARTVILLE 3, LAKE OF THE WOODS 2
25-16, 25-27, 25-23, 25-18

Stewartville knocked out defending AA champion Lake of the Woods in four games. LOW was without coach Laurie Bitter who is serving a suspension handed down by the State HS League. This game featured two teams that were in the top 5 at the end of the year poll by the AP. This would be another reason to seed the tournament.

Stewartville trailed 4-1 to start the game, but forced LOW to burn a time out at 5-4 when Leigh Splittstoesser served up three points including point five. LOW had one last run where they led 9-8 on a Ashley Feldman kill. After a missed serve, Emily Rainey served up thre points to give Stewartville the lead for good at 12-9. LOW was not able to get their fbso game rolling and Stewartville slammed the door in LOW's face with a fbso ratio of 9/11.

Stewartville pushed the lead in game two 17-11 with five service points from Alex Nold. LOW took a time out at 16-11, but didn't get it back until another point was scored. LOW was able to get two points in two consecutive serves and cut the lead to 21-18 after a Feldman kill from the right side. On Carlie Waibel's serve LOW narrowed the gap further to 21-20. LOW took their first lead at 232-22 on a Stewartville hitting error. Splittstoesser tied it up on a back hand dump. Two side outs gave Stewartville a chance as Erin Ness put home a kil to make it 25-24 Stewartville. But they turned the ball back to LOW on a hitting error. They never gave it back as Nicole Olson had a kill and then a block to even the contest.

The third frame was tight throughout. Neither team had a lead larger than three points. LOW had the early 8-5 lead with two Feldman kills. They stayed in front up to Emily Rainey's serve. LOW did regain the lead at 22-21 when Waibel had a kill and a block. Stewartville's Amanda Thompson got the side out to tie it at 22. On Splittstoesser's serve Ness hammered home two kills and she added another on the side out to get point 25 in a critical game.

Stewartville scored at least three points on each of their first three serves. The first two points came on LOW errors. Stewie led 4-1 after Nold's serve. LOW closed to 7-6, but couldn't get the vital fbso on Laura Hoover's serve she pushed the lead to 10-6. LOW battled back to tie it at 15. But Splittstoesser got the side out on her patented back dump. Ness then dropped two kills for an 18-15 lead. Both teams traded side outs until ER's serve. She served out with four straight points. The last point a dump by Splittstoesser.

rotation, player, position, ht, year, aces, blocks, kills-totals
STEWARTVILLE
1 Alex Nold, MH, 6-0, 2007, 2-1-11---14
2 Leigh Splittstoesser, S, 5-7, 2007, 2-0-4---6
3 Laura Hoover, Server, 5-8, 2007 3-0-0---3
3 Erin Ness, OH, 6-0, 2008, 0-4-9---13
4 Amanda Thompson, MH, 5-9, 2007, 0-2-8---10
5br Emily Rainey, DS, 5-6, 2009, 2-0-0---2
5fr Renee Waugh, RH, 5-11, 2007, 0-1-3---4
6 Julie Rainey, OH, 5-9, 2010, 0-1-8---9
Totals: 9-9-43---61 points, 39 points on LOW errors

LAKE OF THE WOODS
1 Courtney Bitter, S, 5-7, 2008 0-0-3---3
2 Ashley Nelson, DS, 5-6, 2008 0-0-0----0
2fr Jordan Marken, OH, 5-7, 2008, 0-0-1---1
3 Nicole Olson, MH, 6-0, 2007, 0-1-10---11
4 Lindsay Christianson, DS, 5-8, 2008, 0-0-0---0
4fr Ali Hasbargen, OH, 5-10, 2010, 0-0.5-2--2.5
5 Carlie Waibel, OH, 5-8, 2007, 2-2.5-13---17.5
6 Teresa Slick, L, 5-6, 2007, 0-0-0---0
6fr Ashley Feldman, MH, 6-2, 2010, 0-0-10---10
Totals: 2-4-40---46 points, 38 points on Stewartville errors

PLAYER OF THE GAME
Leigh Splittstoeser

NUMBER CRUNCHING
team, fbso/serves--fbso%; pts scored, % earned, % allowed
Stewartville 28/50---.560; 100; .610; .464
Lake of the Woods 25/51---.490; 84; .548; .390
Stewie had lights out fbso in game one, average the rest of the way, but never let LOW get on any huge rolls. Both teams had very nice setters. Both teams were extremely scrappy with long exhausting rallies. Teams would think they were on the road to celebration, but then had to come back and play after rabbits were pulled from hats. Both teams were similar with the attack game, but Stewartville had a better block game and served much more successfully.

ROTATION POINTS
STEWARTVILLE
1 Nold 23-20 .535
2 Splittstoesser 24-20 .545
3 Hoover 15-11 .577
4 Thompson 12-12 .500
5 Emily Rainey 18-11 .621
6 Julie Rainey 8-10 .444

LAKE OF THE WOODS
1 Bitter 15-22 .405
2 Nelson 24-18 .571
3 Olson 9-14 .391
4 Christianson 12-15 .444
5 Waibel 12-14 .462
6 Slick 12-17 .414
Stewie only had one sub 500 rotation, while LOW only put one over that marker.

Next up: tomorrow morning

Out & About: Blaine/Hibbing

#3 posting 11.9.2006
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

AAA QUARTERFINALS
BLAINE 3, HIBBING 0
25-21, 25-23, 25-17

Blaine had more weapons, better athletes, and better defense in the sweep of Hibbing. Five Bengals had five or more kills whereas not one Hibbing player got to that level. For the game Blaine had 41 kills to 16 for Hibbing. In fact Blaine had more kills than Hibbing produced for earned points. They will face Lakeville North, a 3-2 winner over Marshall.

Blaine took control of the first game with a four point run on the serve of Jackie Kelly to make it 10-6. Next up Kristin Cook delivered four more including two straight aces to make it 15-7 Blaine. Hibbing called a time out after the first ace. After the TO Cook served up a net hugger. Ali Mewhorter then served up three more to make it 19-9 and it looked like Blaine would cruise. Alia Cook put an end to that thought process with six points off her serve including three aces off her wicked serve. Blaine took the time out at 19-16 and got the ball right back on a Lindsey Baumgartner kill. Both teams traded side outs and Blaine scored their last two points on Mewhorter fbso.

Blaine again took command with a 8-4 lead on five service points from Jessica Granquist. Cook had two kills during the run. Hibbing fought back and took a 14-13 lead because Blaine didn't side out for four straight Bluejacket servers. An ace by Nicole Nyberg gave Hibbing their first lead and force Blaine to talk about it. Blaine was mired in a six straight service drought with fbso game humming for Hibbing. That broke on Jackie Kelly's serve. She broke a 17 tie with an ace and then added five more points with Mewhorter providing a kill and a block in the run. Blaine led 23-17, but Hibbing wasn't done yet. Breanna Chamernick had five straight points off her serve to make it 23-22. Amber Brant provided two straight kills to close the margin. A kill by Molly Kreklow from the left side on a touch ball put Blaine on the verge. The turned it over on Cook's missed serve, but Mewhorter ended it with a kill 25-23.

Blaine again had the early lead with Granquist serving up three points on a 6-1 lead. Hibbing tied it right up at six with Amber Brant providing two straight aces to six. Both team got their fbso game going with Blaine stopping Hibbin seven straight times, and Hibbing returning the favor four. Granquist broke the pattern with an ace, Baumgartner got one point off her serve. Cook delivered three points on her serve to make it 22-16. Her first two were aces and Hibbing had to stop that at 20-16, but again Cook had an ace after the TO. Hibbing got the ball back on a net serve, but never scored again. Baumgartner had a slide kill to finish the game.

rotation, player, position, ht, year, aces, blocks, kills-totals
BLAINE
1 Ali Mewhorter, MH, 6-0, 2009, 1-3-10---14
1br Ashley Kuduk, DS, 5-4, 2007 0-0-0---0
2 Molly Kreklow, S, 6-0, 2010, 0-0-4---4
3 Jessica Granquist, OH, 5-7, 2008, 1-0-7---8
4 Lindsey Baumgartner, MH, 5-11, 2007, 0-1-8--9
5 Jackie Kelly, S, 5-8, 2007, 2-0.5-1--3.5
6fr Kirstin Cook, OH, 5-9, 2007, 4-0.5-11--15.5
6br Jane Ollila, L, 5-5, 2007, 0-0-0---0
Totals: 8-5-41---54 points, 21 points on Hibbing errors

HIBBING
1br Lindsey Jacobson, DS, 5-8, 2007 2-0-0---2
1fr Alia Cook, MH, 6-2, 2008, 3-3-2---8
2 Nicole Nyberg, S, 5-6, 2007 2-0-0--2
3 Amber Brant, OH, 5-10, 2007 3-1-4---8
4 Chelsea Koth, MH, 5-10, 2008, 0-2-4---6
5 Kelsey Wirtanen, RH, 5-7, 2009, 0-0-1--1
5fr Kate Lange, RH, 5-11, 2010 0-0-3---3
6 Breanna Chamernick, OH, 5-6, 2008, 0-0-0---0
6g3 Paige Hardy, OH, 5-7, 2009, 0-0-2---2
Totals: 10-6-16---32 points, 29 points on Blaine errors

PLAYER OF THE GAME
Kristin Cook tough serving, and 11 kills gets her the nod.

NUMBER CRUNCHING
team, fbso/serves--fbso%; pts scored, % earned, % allowed
Blaine 22/35--.629; 75; .720; .475
Hibbing 17/34---.500; 61, .525; .280
Blaine really didn't get their fbso game going until the final frame with 10/12. They were flirting with 50% in games one and two. Two players with 10 kills, and four with 7 or more shows the balance and versatility of the Blaine offense. Hibbing on the other hand, had no real chances to get in their flow, they were constantly reacting to the Blaine attack, never getting the ball where they wanted.
One potential problem for Blaine was their 14 missed serves on the night. It didn't bite them on the rear tonight, but I don't know if Lakeville North will be as forgiving.

ROTATION POINTS
BLAINE
1 Mewhorter 12-16 .393
2 Kreklow 8-6 .571
3 Granquist 17-11 .607
4 Baumgartner 11-8 .579
5 Kelly 15-13 .536
6 Cook 12-7 .632
totals 75-61 .551

HIBBING
1 Jacobson/Cook 15-9 .625
2 Nyberg 10-12 .455
3 Brant 11-15 .423
4 Koth 7-10 .412
5 Wirtanen 8-19 .296
6 Chamernick 10-10 .500
Totals: 61-75 .449
Blaine altered their service order from Kelly as #1 to Mewhorter #1. Mewhorter was sub .400 on the day, but Cook delivered the top performace at .632. Hibbing's 3-5 rotation were anemic.

Next up: I am going back to St. Paul to watch Lake of the Woods/Stewartville in the Marquee match up tonight. I was forced to leave the tournament this afternoon due to medical, business, and dog issues.

Out & About: Eagan/Moorhead

#2 posting 11.9.2006
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

AAA QUARTERFINALS
EAGAN 3, MOORHEAD 0
25-23, 25-19, 25-21

Moorhead led 20-15 in game one and 17-10 in game three, but couldn't close the deal. They had four more kills than Eagan, but Eagan committed 10 fewer errors. Eagan now plays Lake conference rival and defending state champ Chaska at 9 am. Chaska swept Eagan 17, 17, 15.

Eagan broke out of the pack with four points off Taylor Bohannon's serve to make it 10-7. Katie Hofstad, who stated, knocked down two kills to get the points flowing. Moorhead took the lead on a huge run of six straight points on Katelyn Schwartzenberger's serve. Jenny Cerar had a block and a kill for Spud points. Eagan took a time out at 16-13, but didn't get the side out for one more serve. Moorhead built the lead up to 20-15 on Kate Grogan's kill, but on Grogan's serve a Cerar hitting error from the back row gave the ball back to Eagan. Four points later the game was tied after Malia Paleafei's serve. This is when Laurel Sanford took over with two kills sandwiching a block. Moorhead took their first time out at 20-18. Moorhead's Kaitlyn Rogalla put up two of her own blocks to give one last lead to the Spuds 22-20. Sanford again put up a block to get the ball into Bohannon's hands. She served up three points to put Eagan on the verge after a Kelsey Sparks kill. Moorhead's second time out at 22-22 went unheeded. Kaitlyn Kemp had a tip kill for the 25th Eagan point.

Eagan rolled right from the start in game two with a Sanford fbso kill and then Paleafei served up four to give the Wildcats a 5-0 lead. They never trailed in this frame. The closest Moorhead got was 6-4. Sanford had a series of three points out of Eagans four points from 15-18. Moorhead burned a time out to get back on track at 17-10. Moorhead's casue wasn't helped by six missed in this game. Eagan did take a time out after an ace by Cerar to make it 21-16. The last four Eagan points all came on Moorhead errors including the missed serve for 25.

Moorhead led 8-4 with four points off of Ashley Wheeler's serve. Rogalla had a kill and then a block for 7 and 8. The Spuds were rolling with Eagan forced to call time out at 12-6. It didn't stop the Moorhead momentum as they added two more points on Eldred's serve off Cerar kills to make it 14-6. But then Moorhead's fbso game left them and after a Sparks kill for side out scored three points off of Katie Joyce's serve including two aces. Moorhead regained a little momentum to put them up 17-10, but again Eagan came back with Leah Ehret serving two points to make it 17-14. The big blow out came on Sparks serve. She whipped up six points including an ace to give Eagan it's first lead in the third frame 20-18. Sanford again controlled the net with four points from 16-19, the first three blocks. Both teams traded side outs to make it 22-20. Paleafei had an ace to break the string. Sanford put them one point away with a kill. Andrea Burns postponed the Eagan celebration with a kill, but Kemp again ended the game and match with a kill.

rotation, player, position, ht, year, aces, blocks, kills-totals
EAGAN
1br Leah Ehret, DS, 5-6, 2008, 1-0-0---1
1fr Katie Hofstad, OH, 5-10, 2008, 0-0-3---3
1fr Kathryn Kemp, OH, 5-11, 2007 0-0-6---6
2 Kelsey Sparks, MH, 5-10, 2008, 1-2-4---6
3br Kelsey Ammerman, DS, 5-8, 2008, 0-0-0---0
3fr Sarah Schwanz, RH 5-9, 2007 0-0.5-3---3.5
4 Malia Paleafei, OH, 5-7, 2008, 2-0-4---6
5 Taylor Bohannon, L, 5-6, 2008, 0-0-0---0
5fr Laurel Sanford, MH, 6-0, 2008 0-6.5-10---16.5
6 Katie Joyce, S, 5-9, 2008, 2-0-1---3
Totals: 6-9-31---46 points, 29 points off Moorhead errors

MOORHEAD
1br Leslie Eldred, L, 5-6, 2007 0-0-0--0
1frKaitlyn Rogalla, MH, 6-0, 2009, 0-3-2---5
2 Katelyn Schwartzenberger, S, 5-6, 2007 1-0-2---3
3 Jenny Cerar, OH, 5-9, 2007, 2-1-9---12
4 Kate Grogan, MH, 5-10, 2007, 0-2-5--7
5 Ashley Wheeler, RH, 5-11, 2007, 0-0-9---9
6 Andrea Burns, OH, 5-11, 2007, 0-3-2---5
6 Jessie Bourcy, OH, 5-9, 2007, 0-0-1---1
Totals: 3-6-35--44 points; 19 points off Eagan Errors

PLAYER OF THE GAME
Laurel Sanford

NUMBER CRUNCHING
team, fbso/serves--fbso%; pts scored, % earned, % allowed
Eagan 16/31--.516; 75; .613; .302
Moorhead 13/31--.419; 63; .698; .387
Neither team had outstanding strings of fbso. Eagan did play more consistently and didn't crack when down. Moorhead let two games slip through their fingers in large part because Sanford ruled the net.

ROTATION POINTS
EAGAN
1 Ehret 17-15 .531
2 Sparks 12-7 .632
3 Ammerman 9-9 .500
4 Paleafei 16-10 .615
5 Bohannon 13-11 .542
6 Joyce 8-11 .421
Totals: 75-63 .543

MOORHEAD
1 Eldred 11-11 .500
2 Schwartzenberger 16-9 .640
3 Cerar 13-17 .433
4 Grogan 7-12 .368
5 Wheeler 12-16 .429
6 Burns 4-10 .286
Totals 63-75 .457

If you notice Moorhead's 2nd rotation caused problems for Eagan. It was primarily the first game that Schwartzenberger lit up Eagan for six straight points on the second cycle through. Cerar had a hand in two points and Grogan also had two points during the serve. The next two games Schwartzenberger's rotation was a respectable 8-7, with a couple of two runs in game two and three.

Next up: Blaine/Hibbing

MN Miss Volleyball & All State Teams

#1 posting 11.9.2006
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

MISS VOLLEYBALL
Hailey Cowles, Eden Prairie added to her award shelf with the Miss Volleyball honor. From the Pioneer Press. In the same article the coaches All State teams are named.

STATE TOURNAMENT
The Pioneer Press features Eagan in their return to the tournament.

SIGNINGS
Tawny Dahmes, and Kimber Kuhl, Chaska has signed with Albany and MSU Mankato. Teammate Allie Oelke also signed yesterday with Creighton. The Chaska Herald has more on these three along with 6 other Chaska signers.

Now it is off to the state. It looks as if other obligations will force me home sooner than I thought.

next up: after I get back from the tournament

State Tournament Build Up

#2 posting 11.8.2006
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

TOURNAMENT PREVIEW
I already gave you the picks in the upcoming state touranment, now here is the StarTribune's take on the upcoming tournament including players to watch, most of which were on the all metro team (if they were a metro team).
They have a feature on Lake of the Woods and their coach Laurie Bitter who was banned from this year's postseason.

Tomorrow I should be at the tournament for the duration. I was not bright enough to get a press pass. I missed out by 23 minutes. The deadline was high noon on Monday, and I didn't get around to checking until 12:23. That means I will not be taking my computer with and updating as the games are done. I will be providing information not found in the general media, but it will be after I get home.
You can check the action from the MSHSL site.

next up: tomorrow morning before the tournament.

Tournament Build Ups

#1 posting 11.8.2006
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

Volleyball will be all over this weekend. Folks will have to make a choice between HS tournament, D2 Tournament, D3 Tournament, and the Gophers. So many games....So little time.
It is too bad we can't tivo the action.

STATE TOURNAMENT BUILD UP
AAA
Marshall faces a familiar foe Lakeville North in the quarterfinals. Marshall lost to LN in the finals of the Marshall tournament earlier in the fall. From the Marshall Independent.
AA
LeSueur-Henderson has made it to the big show. Here is their journey from the Mankato Free Press.
A
Minneota and Meadow Creek face each other in the quarters and both teams are veteran touranment squads. From the Marshall Independent.

D2/D3 TOURNAMENT BUILD UP
The StarTribune has a brief story on Concordia St. Paul's chances in the D2 North Central regional. They also run down the D3 regional tournament in Eau Claire.
One of the better match ups in the D2 North Central tournament will be the SW MN State vs Wayne State confrontation. It is their third matchup in three weeks. From the Marshall Independent.
A pair of sisters could be facing each other in the D3 tournament. The Dahls of Concordia Moorhead (and Willmar) may bump up against the Freiborgs of UW Eau Claire (Renville County West). From the West Central Tribune.

D1 INDEPENDENT TOURNAMENT BUILD UP
North Dakota State is hosting the D1 Independent tournament this weekend. six teams will be battling in Fargo.

NUMBERS
Elk River has taken a hit with their numbers the last few years with the opening of two schools Rogers and Zimmerman. Volleyball coach Pam Goethe talks about her frustrations with the system and what she is doing to turn it around. You will have to get through the football portion of the article. From the Elk River Star News.

JESSY JONES
The Gopher's middle hitter is featured in the MN Daily.

Next up: tomorrow morning

North Central & WIAC Honors, D2 & D3 Brackets

#2 posting 11.7.2006
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

MORE AWARDS/HONORS
I looked all morning for the Daktronics All North Central Region. Now I found it on the SW MN State site. Interesting that the Northern Sun had six of the seven spots on the first team. It was flip flopped with the North Central taking six of seven on the second team.

The WIAC named their all conference selections and Dana Alf, Platteville was named player of the year. Four Minnesota players were named to the first team:
Carly Freiborg, Renville Co West, Eau Claire
Andrea Geehan, St. Paul Como Park, River Falls
Kat Krtnick, Fridley, River Falls
Kate Thompson, Forest Lake, River Falls
Lindsey Mace, Hastings, River Falls was named to the defensive team.

TOURNAMENT BRACKETS
The NCAA D2 brackets are out. The North Central regionals are at Concordia St. Paul this weekend.

The NCAA D3 brackets are out and the Midwest regional will be at Eau Claire. Concordia Moorhead and St. Thomas advance from the MIAC. The WIAC sends Eau Claire, Whitewater, and Oshkosh.

Next up: tomorrow morning

Lucia, Braegelmann Honored

#1 posting 11.7.2006
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

POLLS & AWARDS
The Gophers only dropped one spot in the AVCA poll after their loss at Michigan.

The North Central Conference has named their all conference team. Vicky Braegelmann, UM Duluth picked up the player of the year honor. Coach of the year horors went to Jim Boos, UM Duluth. The NCC also listed their Academic Team.
The last NCC weekly awards all went to Nebraska Omaha players: Ellen Thommes for offfense; Stacie Wemhoff on defense, and Katie Agnew for setting.

The North Central region has also come out. Erin Contons, SW MN State has been named for the second straight year. From the Marshall Independent.
Concordia St. Paul's Jessica Lucia was named player of the year for the second straight year, and she is joined on the squad with Kelsey Kyro, and Maggie McNamara. Megan Graham made the second team.

We have already posted about St. Cloud State and their season ending loss to South Dakota. Now here is the St. Cloud University Chronicle's story and take on the season.

HS NEWS
The Minnesota River is probably the toughest AA conference, and LeSueur-Henderson Dave Nixon is quoted in the Star Tribune about the battles in that conference. You will need to scroll past football information.

The Marshall Independent features key liberos that are headed to state: Shay Birath for Marshall; and Brooke Minnehan for Minneota.

There are some volleyball tidbits in the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Lakeville North and Blaine are both showcased, you will need to scroll past other things.

HS ALL CONFERENCE LISTS
The Winona Daily News has the all conference lists for the Three Rivers, Southeast, and Dairyland conferences. Hannah Glor was named player in the Southeast.

Next up: tomorrow morning

Cowles Star Tribune Player of the Year

#3 posting 11.6.2006
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

The StarTribune has come out with their all metro team in HS volleyball.
Hailey Cowles from Eden Prairie was named player of the year. Having seen her four times this year I can see the value in the selection. She was my player of the game in each of the four games I saw.
Here are the rest of the selections on the First Team and the second team. I only missed one player in my viewing this fall: outside hitter Ellie Duffy of Totino-Grace.
For the record the first team is solid and I have no quibbles.

Minnesota Gophers have three of the selections on the first team headed their way.

Next up: tomorrow morning

State Picks; Key Stats

#2 posting 11.6.2006
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

MN STATE TOURANMENT PREVIEW
AAA
The Lake has three entrants in this year's tournament and Chaska will be the favorite.
The Hawks open with Wayzata at 9 am, but Chaska already has a win over the Trojans in the Alexandria tournament. Both teams have strong fbso games. Pick Chaska
The other 9 am game has Moorhead squaring off with Eagan. Eagan beat Cretin-Derham Hall in the 3 finals, after losing to CDH late in October. Eagan is on a roll. Pick Eagan.
Marshall takes on Lakeville North in the 11 am game. Both teams saw each other in the Marshall tournament back in September. LN has a few more attack weapons than Marshall who features Amanda Beekman. Pick: Lakeville North
The other 11 game is Blaine and Hibbing. Hibbing has tons of state tournament experience, but Blaine survived the tough five game battle with Andover. Pick Blaine

Semis: Chaska and Lakeville North. In an all Lake Finals Pick: Chaska

Before the sections started a called 7 of the 8 here because I didn't pick anyone in 8.

AA
St. Cloud Cathedral opens with Jordan at 5 pm. Jordan looked very strong when I saw them at Apple Valley. Pick: Jordan
Pipestone faces mystery team Montevideo that has bee flying under the radar most of the year. Pipestone plays in the rough and tumble Southwest conference and most of their losses are to power teams during weekend tournament play. Pick: Pipestone, they have been there
Virginia tussles with LeSueur-Henderson in the 7 pm contest. LSH is the second Minnesota River team to make it to the big show. That is a very good conference as four teams were in the finals of their respective sections. Pick: LSH
and it is a shame the final game had to occur in the quarters but defending champ Lake of the Woods takes on perennial power Stewartville. LOW is without their coach in this postseason. How long can LOW keep producing key wins on the emotion of trying to win for a coach they feel has been too severely punished? Stewartville is a squad used to the big events. Pick Stewartville.

In the semis: Jordan; Stewartville. Finals: I like Jordan

My presections here slightly above .500 with 5 of 8 correct. The three that I stumbled on were 2, 3, and 8.

A
Central Christian plays Bertha-Hewitt in the 1 pm contest. Central Christian knows the feel of the bright lights, and plays a tougher schedule. Pick Central Christian
Meadow Creek takes on Minneota in probably the best match up in another unfortunate pairing early. Pick Minneota
Wheaton opens with Bethlehem Acadmey in the 3 pm game and BA has a rougher schedule to toughen them up for St. Paul. Pick BA
Climax-Fisher, the surprise team as a #4 seed faces Littlefork-Big Falls in the battle of the North. I am going with CF with momentum, and there losses have been avenged to Ada-Borup and Kittson Central. Their other two losses were to alphabet powers DGF and LOW in 2A.
In the semis Minneota, and BA. with Minneota taking the title.
I was taken to task in A with only 3 right picks in my presection calls. That should give all the out picks today reason to celebrate.

My question: when is seeding going to happen for the state tournament? Soccer and now basketball will seed the tournament. We seed the sections, why not the state? I want the two best teams to see each other on Saturday, not Thursday.

For those of you paying attention to the numbers I have been putting up this year--it is first ball side out % that points to the team that wins more often than not. If FBSO % is .600 or better the record is 16-4. three of those losses were to teams that had a higher fbso %. If your FBSO % is under .487 the overall record is 2-17.

The % of earned and allowed points don't really indicate anything. The top team with earned points % was Kennedy with .818 in their loss to Eden Prairie in the 6AAA semifinals.
What is more important is the raw numbers of points earned and allowed. If a team earns less than 21 points the record is 0-8.
If a team allows less than 16 points the record is 8-2.

These are numbers from the 27 games I have charted this year.

Next up: tomorrow morning with the regular news of the day

North Central Regional Set

#1 posting 11.6.2006
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

GOPHER CHANCES
Minnesota's Big 10 title chances were derailed in Ann Arbor as the Gophers were ambushed by the Wolverines Saturday night. From the MN Daily. The headline says title chances nearly gone. I would say a snow flakes chance in a blast furnace.

Meredith Nelson did reach another career milestone with her 500th career block. It happened against Michigan.

NORTH CENTRAL REGIONAL
MSU Mankato made the North Central Region tournament with a 7th place finish in their poll. As a result they will open with #2 UM Duluth. SW MN State is #5 and will face a familiar Northern Sun rival #4 Wayne State. #1 Concordia St. Paul will host the event Thursday through Saturday. The way the brackets are set up it will be a North Central vs Northern Sun finale.

LATE HS SECTION RESULTS
Marshall's sweep of Hutchinson is now up on the Marshall Independent site. It is Marshall's 6th straight trip to the Excel Energy Center.

Pipestone beat Springfield. Yesterday the game story was from the Springfield angle. Today it is from the Pipestone side. It is two in a row for Pipestone. From the Worthington Daily Globe.

Minneota dropped SW Star in four to advance in 3A. From the Marshall Independent and the Worthington Daily Globe.

NUMBER CRUNCHING
KILLS
4 games
AA
Nicole Buysse, Pipestone 24 vs Springfield 3-1
Krystal Schwanke, Springfield 16 vs Pipestone 1-3
A
Alyssa Buysse, Minneota 17 vs SW Star 3-1
3 games
AAA
Amanda Beekman, Marshall 15 vs Hutchinson 3-0

Next up: My State picks, along with the stats that really matter later today.

Blaine/Andover Photos

#4 posting 11.5.2006
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

BLAINE/ANDOVER PHOTO EDITION
This is the second time I took the Olympus out to a game. I took tons of pictures, most of which ended up like this--an abstract art blur. I was sitting in the Blaine student section and their stomping may have had something to do with the blurs, but I think it is my rookie hand at these shots.
If you want a closer look, click on the photo.


#1 An abrstract art version of volleyball action

#2 Molly Kreklow about to make a set for Blaine

#3 A blur as Jessica Granquist hits the ball past of couple of Andover blockers

#4 Lindsey Baumgartner setting for Blaine in a pinch.

#5 both teams looking skyward tracking the ball.

#6 A Megan Carlson attack that is covered by Blaine

#7 Celebrating an Andover kill (probably Krista Erickson) with a Blaine player on the floor.

#8 Another Andover kill to the left side.

#9 Carlson ready to make a play

#10 Arriel Mewhorter with the afer effects of an attack

#11 A Baumgartner Kill

#12 Jackie Kelly setting one of her hitters, probably Granquist

#13 a Blaine dig (I think by Granquist)

Next up: tomorrow morning with a look at the state pairings and what to expect this week.

Eagan/Cretin-Derham Hall Photos

#3 posting 11.5.2006
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

EAGAN/CRETIN-DERHAM HALL

The Photo edition.
These photos are from the 3AAA Championship on Friday night won by Eagan in five.
This is my first attempt at photos during a game. It is like a view from seat 3B. But it gives you an idea how things progressed. If you want a larger view of the photo, click on it.

#1 Eagan making a dig on a Laura Wagner hit.
#2 After effects of a Lauren Gibbemeyer Kill.


#3 Kelsey Sparks after a quick kill attempt
#4 the conversation between the officials when a point was taken from Cretin-Derham Hall and given to Eagan. CDH was still the winner in that first frame. The question of what to do took over 7 minutes to decide.


#5 A blurry Gibbemeyer kill. You can barely see the ball on the back side of the blockers heads.
#6 Megan Stinchfield setting the ball.


#7 Meghan McComas hitting into the Eagan block.
#8 Cretin celebration


#9 McComas making a dig
#10 Attempted block on Gibbemeyer

#11 That may be Katie Hofstad with the attack for Eagan.

#12 Katie Joyce sets up Kelsey Sparks for a quick kill.

Next up: photos of the Blaine/Andover game

Champs Crowned in 21 Sections

#2 posting 11.5.2006
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

The section finals are now over and the field is set for the state tournament starting Thursday in the St. Paul Xcel Energy Center.

AAA
Sweeps were in order with four 3 & outs. The exception was the Blaine and Eagan games (the games I attended). Lakeville North and Eagan were the only non #1 teams to move on.
1
Lakeville North took revenge on Owatonna in a sweep. LN lost to Owatonna in a 2-1 game in LN's own tournament on October 7.
2
Marshall also swept past Hutchinson. I am sure the Marshall Independent will have the story tomorrow. They don't publish on Sunday.
4
Blaine won in five over Andover. I reported on that last night
6
Chaska had their own sweep revenge against Eden Prairie. Chaska lost to EP back on September 19 3-1. From the Chaska Herald, also the StarTribune has a story.
8
Moorhead had a sweep over Rocori to move on to state. Moorhead won 8AAA last yearFrom the Fargo Forum.

AA
Two lower seeds have punched their tickets to the state tournament: #2 LeSueur-Henderson and #3 Pipestone both advanced.
1
Stewartville kept their State tournament appointment with a sweep over Wabasha-Kellogg. It is Stewartville's 17 trip in the last 20 years. From the Winona Daily News.
2
LeSueur-Henderson took a tight sweep over Minnesota River rival Montgomery-Lonsdale.
3
Pipestone went five with Springfield in a battle between non #1 seeds. From the New Ulm Journal.
4
Jordan ripped Concordia Roseville in three
5
St. Cloud Cathedral took Esko in four. Anna Zyvoloski pounded 28 kills for SCC. From the St. Cloud Times.
6
Montevideo beat BBE in four
7
Virginia moved on with a four game over Pine River-Backus
8
Lake of the Woods, without coach Bitter, has a chance to defend their title with a sweep over Wadena-Deer Creek. From the Fargo Forum, and the Grand Forks Herald.

A
Climax-Fisher, a four seed, crashes the A party along with a pair of #2s Central Christian and Meadow Creek.
1
Bethlehem Academy took Mabel-Canton in three. BA has beaten MC in the section finals five straight years. The Winona Daily News has the story.
2
Central MN Christian beat Sleepy Eye St. Mary's in four. SESM won the first game, but CMC took the rest. From the New Ulm Journal.
3
Minneota beat SW Star in four. More when the Marshall Independent and Worthington Daily Globe publish tomorrow.
4
Meadow Creek had a revenge win over SW Chistian (Chaska) with a four game victory. From the Chaska Herald.
5
Bertha-Hewitt swept Hill City
6
Wheaton had no problems in a sweep over Ulen-Hitterdal. You will get the scores, nothing more from the Fargo Fourm.
7
Littlefork-Big Falls took out Cook in four
8
Climax-Fisher stopped Kittson Central in four. CF is the lowest seed to make the tournament as a four seed. From the Fargo Forum, and GF Herald.

NUMBER CRUNCHING
ASSISTS
4 games
AA
Nina Lindquist, St. Cloud Cathedral 47 vs Esko 3-1
A
Korynta, Climax-Fisher 49 vs Kittson Central 3-1
Blomquist, Kittson Central 44 vs Climax-Fisher 1-3

KILLS
4 games
AA
Anna Zyvoloski, St. Cloud Cathedral 28 vs Esko 3-1
Amber Ryan, Esko 20 vs St. Cloud Cathedral 1-3
A
Kacie Fortmann, Climax-Fisher 25 vs Kittson Central 3-1
Whitney Langen, Kittson Central 20 vs Climax-Fisher 1-3

Next up: I will post the photos from the Eagan/Cretin and Blaine/Andover games. Tomorrow I will look back at my section picks and then jump back in the water with my picks for the state.

Two Concordia Championships

#1 posting 11.5.2006
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

MINNESOTA FALL IN MICHIGAN
Minnesota stubbed their toe at Michigan Saturday night and now will have a difficult time holding on to second place in the Big 10. Michigan's conference record is only 5-9.
Minnesota has two tough road games at Wisconsin and Purdue coming up. It would take a epic meltdown by Penn State, which I don't see happening, for the Gophers to have a chance for the Big 10 title.

Wisconsin did not overlook Michigan State and picked up the four game win to move into a second place tie with Minnesota.

North Dakota State won over South Dakota State in a sweep at Brookings. It was NDSU's first win in over 10 games against their neighbor to the south. Kristie Klusaw, SDSU's setter reached her 4000 assists.
NDSU will host the D1 independent tournament next weekend.

D2 ACTION
NORTH CENTRAL
Augustana beat MSU Mankato in five in their North Central finale.

UM Duluth swept North Dakota to close out the regular season.

NORTHERN SUN
Concordia St. Paul beat Wayne State in four for the NSIC title. It is CSP's third straight NSIC Championship. CSP has won 18 matches in a row and 62 in the NSIC.

D3 ACTION
MIAC CHAMPIONSHIP
#1 Concordia Moorhead trailed 2-1, but came back to claim the MIAC title in a 3-2 win over #6 seed St. Benedict.

WIAC CHAMPIONSHIP
Whitewater grabbed the WIAC title over #1 Eau Claire. Whitewater now moves on to the NCAA tournament.

NAIA
UMAC CHAMPIONSHIP
St. Scholastica took home the title with a five game marathon with Martin Luther.

NUMBER CRUNCHING
ASSISTS
5 games
D2
Stef Sandstrom, MSU Mankato 77 vs Augustana 2-3
Lisa Hoegh, Augustana 69 vs MSU Mankato 3-2
4 games
D2
Maggie McNamara, Concordia St. Paul 70 vs Wayne State 3-1
Brittany Coleman, Wayne State 51 vs Concordia St. Paul 1-3
D3
Kate Lazotte, Whitewater 48 vs Eau Claire 3-1
3 games
D1
Mattie Johnson, North Dakota State 50 vs South Dakota State 3-0
D2
Katie Gangelhoff, UM Duluth 48 vs North Dakota 3-0

DIGS
5 games
D2
Cassie Wolpern, MSU Mankato 25 vs Augustana 2-3
Abby Schmidt, Augustana 24 vs MSU Mankato 3-2
Lisa Rohret, MSU Mankato 23 vs Augustana 2-3
D3
Anna Walden, Concordia Moorhead 37 vs St. Benedict 3-2
Michelle Honek, Concordia Moorhead 26 vs St. Benedict 3-2
Laura Zwach, St. Benedict 26 vs Concordia Moorhead 2-3
Emma Jaynes, St. Benedict 25 vs Concordia Moorhead 2-3
4 games
D2
Megan Graham, Concordia St. Paul 22 vs Wayne State 3-1
Laura Dolezal, Wayne State 20 vs Concordia St. Paul 1-3
D3
Shanna Berger, Eau Claire 22 vs Whitewater 1-3
3 games
D2
Chelsea Meierotto, UM Duluth 24 vs North Dakota 3-0

KILLS
5 games
D2
Terrin Post, Augustana 27 vs MSU Mankato 3-2
Cassie Wolpern, MSU Mankato 26 vs Augustana 2-3
D3
Danielle Dahl, Concordia Moorhead 31 vs St. Benedict 3-2
4 games
D2
Emily Schroeder, Wayne State 22 vs Concordia St. Paul 1-3
Kelsey Kyro, Concordia St. Paul 20 vs Wayne State 3-1

Next up: The HS Section finals from last night.