Out & About: Minnesota/Washington State

#1 posting 3.31.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

MINNESOTA GOPHER SPRING ROUND ROBIN

MINNESOTA gophers 2*,
WASHINGTON STATE cougars 1
32-34, 30-18, 10-8

The Gophers opened their spring portion of their schedule with Washington State. Match time was limited to one hour. This marked the first time the 2007 class was not part of the performance. Christine Tan filled the Libero role that Malama Peniata held. In the middle replacing Meredith Nelson was Kelly Schmidt; taking Meghan Crumpston's spot was Katie Vatterrodt and taking Kelly Bowman's spot was Rachelle Hagarty.

In the first contest MN got out to a 3-1 lead with two gifts and a kill by Kyla Roehrig. WSU took their first lead at 5-4 after a run of three and expanded it to 11-5 with a 6 point run on their fourth serve. It became a game of catch up for the Gophers after that and they did whittle the lead down rotation by rotation. MN tied it at 19 on Jessy Jones serve on a kill by Hagarty from the right side. But MN was caught in a side out sequence as both teams broke each other's serve. Finally on Rachel Hartman's serve MN scored a point on a WSU hitting error and claimed a narrow one point lead. WSU got it right back at 25-24 before a WSU net serve tied it at 25 all. The Cougars put on a run of three with one kill and two Gopher hitting errors. 28-25. MN managed to knot it up at 29 on Christa Chin's serve and a dump kill by Hartmann followed by a tandem block by Schmidt and Hartmann. But a net serve killed the momentum. The Gophers were on the verge of victory at 32-31 after a WSU hitting error on Chin's serve, but a kill from their right tied it at 32. The WSU second server finished off with a hitting error on Roehrig followed by a tip kill 34-32.

MN played much stronger in the second contest with better passing and more kills. The Gophers had runs of three or more four times, and limited WSU to two runs of three. WSU didn't help their cause with seven missed serves in the contest. Jessy Jones had two straight blocks as the Gophers went up 4-2. WSU rallied to take a 7-8 lead after a kill by their left. Roehrig had two straight kills to put the Gophers back up 11-8. It was part of a 14-3 run by Minnesota that broke open the game 19-10. Roehrig had five kills during the run. MN's biggest lead came at 24-12, but WSU rallied for three straight to cut it to 24-15. A Schmidt Slide kill ended their run. An over pass kill by Jones put the Gophers on the verge at 29-17, but WSU's left held off the inevitable for one more point. Jones finished the second game with a kill 30-18.

With some time left the two teams played up to 10. MN grabbed the lead at 5-3 on three straight points off Jones' serve 5-3, the last an ace. WSU edged ahead 6-5 after a hitting error that went deep for Schmidt. Vatterrodt put down a kill and then she and Schmidt blocked to put the lead back in MN's hands 7-6. A hitting error returned it to WSU, but their serving game was off in the nets again 8-7 Minnesota. Hartmann had a tip kill to put the Gophers on the edge 9-7. Vatterrodt's serve went deep however, but Roehrig finished with a kill to make it 10-8 in an abbreviated game.

MINNESOTA
rotation, player, pos., aces-blocks-kills total points
1. Katie Vatterrodt, OH 0-1.5-8---9.5
2. Christine Tan, L 0-0-0----0
2 fr Kelly Schmidt MH 0-2.5-4---6.5
3. Rachel Hartman, S 0-0.5-3---3.5
4. Kyla Roehrig, OH 0-1-11---12
5. Jessy Jones, MH 1-2.5-5---8.5
6. Rachelle Hagerty, OH 0-2-8---10
totals: 1-10-39----49 points, 22 on WSU errors
ASSISTS: Hartmann 26, Hagerty 4, Vatterrodt 1, Jones 1, Tan 1

ROTATIONS
1 Vatterrodt 15-8 .652
2 Tan 12-10 .545
3 Hartmann 13-10 .565
4 Roehrig 9-13 .409
5 Jones 14-12 .538
6 Hagerty 9-7 .563
totals: 72-60 .545

BY THE NUMBERS
First ball side out/Serves--%; points scored, % earned, % allowed
Minnesota 26/39---.667; 72, .694, .333
Washington State 19/38---.500; 60; .667; .306

Next up: Monday

How to Build a Dynasty

#1 posting 3.30.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

DYNASTY BUILDING 101
Here is how Stewartville has built their powerhouse. Plus comments about coach John Dzubay. From the Rochester Post Bulletin.

A reminder that the Gopher volleyball action takes place at Williams Arena tomorrow starting at 8:45 AM.

Next up; I will report on how the Gophers look without Kelly Bowman, Megan Crumpston, Meredith Nelson and Malama Peniata. That will be Saturday later in the day.

Spring Schedule Change

#1 posting 3.29.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

SPRING ROUND ROBIN
There has been a change in the schedule of this Saturday's Spring Round Robin event at Minnesota. The Gophers will see Washington State twice and Notre Dame once.

8:45-9:45am Minnesota vs. Washington State
10:00-11:00am Florida vs. Notre Dame
11:15-12:15pm Minnesota vs. Notre Dame
12:30-1:30pm Florida vs. Washington State
2:15-3:15pm Minnesota vs. Florida
3:30-4:30pm Notre Dame vs. Washington State
4:45-5:45pm Florida vs. Notre Dame
6:00-7:00pm Minnesota vs. Washington State

Next up: tomorrow

D2 Expansion

#1 posting 3.28.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

EXPANSION
The Northern Sun is voting on whether to allow the four remaining schools from the North Central into their fold. From the Marshall Independent.

BROADCAST HONORABLE MENTION
The AP has issued their awards for broadcasting in 2006 and the Lakeville North/Marshall game from KMHL-AM in Marshall was an honorable mention winner. Here are the rest of the AP awards.

Readers, thanks for the help in making this site what it is.

Next up; tomorrow.

North Country Region Qualifier

#1 posting 3.27.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

REGIONAL QUALIFIER
The North Country Region qualifier will be held this Saturday for ages 12-15, and Sunday for ages 16-18.
Action takes place at Bloomington Kennedy. for the 16s, and the 18s.
The 17s are at Bloomington Jefferson.

SW MN State is going through spring practice with a six players leaving the program, 2 starters graduated. From the Marshall Independent.

next up: tomorrow

2 Gophers for National A2; Italy Trip

#1 posting 3.26.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

2 GOPHERS NAMED TO NATIONAL A 2 SQUAD
Jessy Jones and Katie Vatterrodt have been named to the National A2 team. They will play in the USA Volleyball Adult Open Championships May 26-June 2 in Austin, Texas.

On March 31st host a spring round robing event. The Gophers will play Notre Dame at 8:45 am; Washington State 11:15 am; Florida at 1:45 pm and Notre Dame again at 6 pm. Admission is free.

OFF TO ITALY
Leah Bjerke, Rochester Mayo and Northern Lights 18 1s, and Bevy Lehman 16 1s, are going to Italy in April with the Northern Lights team. They will be going to Vencie from April 1-10. From the Rochester Post Bulletin.

Thanks for the tips readers. It is appreciated.

Next up: tomorrow

Coaching Changes, Crossroad Results

#1 posting 3.23.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

COACHING NEWS
Ann Williams has resigned at MSCTC Fergus Falls and a former player will take over: Terri Storm. Williams won over 500 games in 30 years. From the Fergus Falls Daily Journal.

CROSSROADS RESULTS
Here is how Minnesota teams finished at Crossroad’s last weekend. You can click here for results.

18 Open
Northern Lights 181’s - 1st place
Minnesota Select 181’s - 17th place

18 Club
Northern Lights 182’s - 21st place
M1 181’s - 21st place
M1 18 East - 81st place

17 Open
M1 171’s - 7th place
Northern Lights 171’s - 20th place
Minnesota Select 171’s - 37th place

16 Open
M1 161’s - 13th place
Northern Lights 161’s - 23rd place
Minnesota Select 161’s - 25th place

Next up: Monday

More Bitter News

#1 posting 3.22.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

BITTER MOVES
As reported earlier in the week Lake of the Woods coach Laurie Bitter has moved on to Bemidji State. Her daughter Courtney, who will be a HS senior this year, has yet to make a decison on whether she will play at Bemidji or Lake of the Woods. Courtney has given North Dakota a verbal. From the Grand Forks Herald.

Thanks to the readers for the help in making this the go to site for news.

next up: tomorrow.

A Look at the MIAC All Conference List

#1 posting 3.21.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

A BREAKDOWN OF THE MIAC ALL CONFERENCE LIST
I know this was a while ago, but:
of the 18 players on the All MIAC list 12 are from MN.
3 are from the AAA level
5 from the AA level
3 from the A level.
(levels are the new breakdowns for next season).
6 still have eligibility left.
The average height of
OH 5-10.125
MH 6-0.333
RH 6-0.5
S 5-7 (only one listed)
L 5-2 (only one listed)

next up Tomorrow

Bitter Hired

#1 posting 3.20.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

BITTER HIRED AT BEMIDJI STATE
Laurie Bitter has been hired as the new coach at Bemidji State. She had been coach at Lake of the Woods for 16 years. Her HS record was 354-105-1.

That means there will be a new coach at Lake of the Woods. No word on where Bitter's daughter who will be a senior next year in HS will go to school.

Next up: tomorrow.

Rittenour Signs

#1 posting 3.19.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

SIGNING
Underwood's CalieAnn Rittenour has signed a letter of intent to play volleyball (and rodeo) at Iowa Central in Fort Dodge, Iowa. From the Fergus Falls Daily Journal.

Thanks for the tips and news readers.

Next up: tomorrow.

Changes

#1 posting 3.16.2007
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

CHANGING SECTIONS/CLASSES
The Hibbing Daily Tribune looks at the changes for Hibbing in volleyball now that they move down a class to AA.

Thanks for the tips and news readers.

Next up: monday

Crossorads II, Jordan II

#1 posting 3.15.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

CROSSROADS PART II
The Colorado Crossroads tournament is in its second stage this week with two MN teams claiming #1 seeds in their respective pool: The Northern Light’s 181’s have the first seed in 18 open, and the M1 171’s have the second seed in 17 open.

You can find game/team schedules here. You can find an event schedule here.

JORDAN GOING FOR TWO
The Jordan volleyball team won the AA Touranment in volleyball and is hoping to do the same in basketball. They are led by Brittany Chambers, Leah Dietel and Amanda Dietel who all play big roles on both teams.

12Us
LeRoy-Ostrander has a 12u team that won the MSF Austin tournament on March 3. They beat Southland twice during the tournament and split with Fairmont, winning when in counted in the championship. scroll to the bottom of the article in the Rochester Post Bulletin.

CAMP
Central Lakes will have a pair of day volleyball camps this summer. On June 18-21 the Setter/Hitter camp is in operation. On July 16-19 it will be Varsity Camp. They both are morning camps. From the Pine and Lakes.

Thanks to the readers for the help in keeping this site up to date.

next up tomorrow

Roysland To Play Volleyball

#1 posting 3.14.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

ROYSLAND TO TRY VOLLEYBALL
As has long been rumored, Kelly Roysland, a Miss Volleyball in 2002 for Fosston, is going to try her hand at volleyball at Minnesota. The news in the 6th paragraph of the Gopher basketball story. From the StarTribune.

Thanks for the help from the readers of this site.

Next up: tomorrow

Colorado Crossroads Results, MI Miss VB

#1 posting 3.13.2007
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

The Northern Light’s 151’s came in 1st in the 15 open division in Denver last weekend in the Colorado Crossroads National Qualifier. M1 151’s came in 21st, and Minnesota Select 151’s came in 27th.
If you want to find the results of week one check here. Here is a list of teams playing this week.

MICHIGAN MISS VOLLEYBALL
Lauren Jones of East Kentwood was named Miss Volleyball in Michigan. The rest of vote can be found in the Grand Rapids Press. Michigan plays volleyball in the winter.

Regional Club Rankings

#1 posting 3.12.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

Prep Volleyball just came out with the first 2007 Regional Club Rankings Here is where the MN teams place:

GREAT LAKES (North Country, Badger, Lakeshore)
In the 18s Age Division:
The #1 team is Mizuno Northern Lights 181 who won the Omaha President's Day touranment;
The #3 team is Mizuno M1 181 and #5 is Mizuno MN Select 181.
Receiving Honorable Mention votes are SW MN 181; MN North 181s; Mizuno M1 18 East; Mizuno Northern Lights 182

In the 17s Age Division
the #1 team is Mizuno M1 171 who won the Chicago Great Lakes Center President's Day tournament. #3 is Mizuno Northern Lights 171. #8 Mizuno Northern Lights 172.
Honorable Mention include MN Select 171; Mizuno M1 17 Black; Mizuno Northern Lights 173

In the 16s Age Division
The top MN team is #2 Mizuno Northern Lights 161; with #3 MN Select 161; #5 Mizuno M1 161; #8 Chaska 161; #10 Mizuno Norhtern Lights 162

Hank, Dohlman Sign, St. Thomas Camp

#1 posting 3.9.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

SIGNINGS
OH Sarah Hank of LeSueur-Henderson is headed to Northland. Northland has also has a verbal from OH Carrie Dohlman from Riceville, IA.


SUMMER CAMP
St. Thomas will hold their summer camp July 30 through August 2.

Thanks for all the information that come in from the readers. It makes the sight pop.

Next up: Monday

MN Spring Schedule, Culhane, and Qualifier

#1 posting 3.8.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

GOPHER SPRING SCHEDULE
Minnesota has released their spring schedule. Florida, Washington State and Notre Dame will be in town on March 31. They also will have a home and away with Iowa State. They finish up with a home event on April 22.

COACHING NEWS
SW MN State's Terry Culhane signed a four year extension. From the Marshall Independent.

CROSSROAD'S QUALIFIER
M1, Minnesota Select, and Northern Lights have teams in Denver the next two weeks to compete in the Crossroad’s Qualifier. The teams are competing for bids to Nationals which will be held in the Twin Cities this summer. For more info on Nationals, go to - check out the USA Volleyball site.

Colorado Crossroad’s Dates/Age Groups
Week-1, March 10-12 (13’s, 14’s, 15’s, 16 club, 16 select)
Week-2, March 16-18 (12’s, 16 open, 17’s, 18’s)

The link below will give real time results. From the Volleyball Warehouse.


Thanks to the readers for providing up to the minute news.

Realignment

#1 posting 3.6.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

REALIGNMENT
Every two years the MSHSL slices, dices, cuts, and chops the schools into new pies. Sections are scrambled. Volleyball changed the way the teams were divided. Previously all classes had similar amounts of teams in them. No more. Class A averages 25 a section; AA 16 and AAA 12. The mapping feature is pretty cool. Check it out. You won't see any gerrymandering.

Pools were just posted for the Northern Light Open Power League on Sunday.

Thanks as always to the help the readers of this site provide.

Next up: tomorrow

Nelson Hire, MN Volleyball Camps

#1 posting 3.3.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

NELSON NEW ST. CLOUD STATE ASSISTANT
Aaron Nelson has been named the new assistant at St. Cloud State. He is from Sauk Rapids HS, and graduated from St. Cloud State. He was the head coach at Morningside the past two seasons.

MINNESOTA CAMP SCHEDULE
The University of MN has announced their Camp schedule.
July 9-14 Positional Camp
These are a series of 2 day camps focusing on individual positions including the following:
Outside hitter camp
Middle hitter/blocker cam
Ball control
July 20-22 Team Camp
This camp is designed for varsity teams and coaches to not only learn volleyball sk ills, techniques, and team tactics from our staff but to compete against other teams in the camp as well.
July 23-25 General Skill Camp
This camp will introduce the athlete to the skills and techniques that have made the Golden Gopher volleyball program one of the most elite programs in the country.

For more information check out Minnesota Volleyball Camps.

next up tomorrow.

Birath to Marquette

#1 posting 3.2.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

BIRATH TO MARQUETTE
Raftyn Birath (Marshall) has been hired to be an assistant at Marquette. She had been the head coach at Presentation for the past 3 years. From the Marshall Independent.

next up: monday unless news breaks.

Excercise and Breast Cancer

#1 posting 3.1.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

EXCERCISE & BREAST CANCER
Here is a report in the Asbury Park Press about the relationship between excercise and breast cancer. Excercise may help reduce the risk of breast cancer.

next up tomorrow.