Winona State Upsets SW MN State

#4 posting 9.30.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

D2
NORTHERN SUN
MSU Moorhead topped Mary in four

They are road Warriors. Winona State upset #4 SW MN State in five. WSU won the last three. SW outpointed WSU 91-73.

#6 Concordia St. Paul beat Northern State in four.

Wayne State knocked off Upper Iowa.

NORTH CENTRAL
#3 UM Duluth whitewashed North Dakota.

D3
MIAC
Augsburg swept Macalester.

Bethel shut out Gustavus.

Concordia Moorhead defeated St. Mary's in four.

St. Thomas was three and out with St. Catherine.

UMAC
Bethany Lutheran outlasted St. Scholastica in five.

Northland won twice with wins over Bethany Lutheran and Martin Luther.

St. Scholastica picked up a four game win over Martin Luther.

PLATTEVILLE TOURNAMENT
Cornell won twice beating Lake Forest and Stout

Host Platteville won twice beating Eau Claire and Lake Forest

Eau Claire swept neighbor Stout.
Making the all tournament team was
Stout's Casey Huntoon (Kenyon-Wanamingo)

NUMBER CRUNCING
TOTAL POINTS
D2
Emily Schroeder, Wayne State 23.5 vs Upper Iowa 3-0
Megan Norling, MSU Moorhead 21 vs Mary 3-1
Leah Ashburn, SW MN State 20.5 vs Winona State 2-3
D3
Michelle Honek, Concordia Moorhead 24 vs St. Mary's 3-1
Liz Glesne, Bethel 22.5 vs Gustavus 3-0
Rachel Chapman, Platteville 22 vs Lake Forest 3-1
Sarah Hank, Northland 21 vs Bethany Lutheran 3-1

thanks to the readers for the help. If you have news, go to my profile and email me.

next up: tomorrow morning

Out & About: Minnesota/Michigan

#3 posting 9.30.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

MINNESOTA gophers 3, MICHIGAN wolverines 0
(31-29, 31-29, 30-26)

The #12 Gophers remained unbeaten in Big 10 play, but lost middle Jessy Jones. The loss is the 3rd straight for #11 Michigan after they opened the season with 13 straight wins. It was a tight wire act for the Gophers in all three games. The Gophers' blocking game dominated with 18 total points off the net defense and Michigan scraping up 4. The Gophers also had a measure of revenge since the loss in Ann Arbor last fall.

The first game started off like gangbusters for the Maroon & Gold. On Rachel Hartmann's serve the Gophers ran off nine straight points. That run forced the Wolverines to call two time outs, one at 7-4, the other at 11-4. Finally Michigan was able to stop the bleeding with a side out kill by Draves. However that jump started Michigan's motor. On Stesha Selsky's serve the Wolverines added six points (4 on Gopher hitting errors) and then on Megan Bower's serve another five points. All in all it was a 12-1 run and Michigan was back in front. Minnesota used one time out at 11-11 and was able to get the side out after the break. The game then moved into the tight side out phase. The Gophers had five straight first ball side outs to force ties starting at 21. On Brook Dieter's serve Minnesota was on the verge at 27-25. Then three straight missed serves made it 28-27 MN. Katie Bruzdzinski added two points on her serve to lead 29-28. Roehrig put down a kill for the side out tie. On Hartmann's serve Jones and Roehrig put up blocks for the final points.

The second game was much better if you like side out games. On Michigan's first 12 servers, the Gophers notched 11 first ball side out kills. Michigan wasn't far behind at 9/11. Michigan had a little run of 11-5 to go up 24-20. During this time Jessy Jones went down with an ankle injury. Minnesota's first years Dieter and Gibbemeyer each had kills and Dieter an ace to put the Gophers down 26-25. Michigan took the time out and after the break Roehrig hit the ball wide. Michigan took another time out at 28-27 and was able to get the ball back after Kelly Schmidt was in the net. At 29-27 the gophers needed a side out and Roehrig provided a kill. Hartmann never gave the ball back. Schmidt had a block and overpass kill to put MN up 30-29. The final point came on a back row attack as Michigan's passing game broke down and setter Lexi Zimmerman tried to save the ball.

It seemed like Minnesota would cruise in game three after building up a 22-14 lead. However Selsky's serve continued to torment the Golden Gophers. She had added five points on her serve thanks to a couple of hitting errors to get the momentum back. Minnesota took time out at 22-18, but Michigan added two more after that. After a pair of side outs, Minnesota strung together three blocks right down the number line 7-6-5 (Schmidt, then Dieter, then Gibbemeyer). Then another three missed serve string resurfaced. That made it 27-23. Side outs dominated after that. The game wrapped up with a dump by Hartmann, so she was either at the line serving or scoring to finish each game.

photos: #1 Lauren Gibbemeyer goes up for a slide attack; #2 Jones leaving the match in the second game with an ankle injury. photos by kja

MINNESOTA
rotation, player, position, aces-blocks-kills---total points
1. Brooke Dieter, OH 1-1/0-3----5.0
2. Lauren Gibbemeyer, MH 1-1/2-11----14.0
3. Rachel Hartmann, S 1-0/1-6---7.5
4. Hailey Cowles, DS 0-0-0----0
4fr Kayla Roehrig, OH 0-3/5-15----20.5
5 Christine Tan, L 0-0-1----1
5fr Jessy Jones, MH (g1, 2) 0-1/5-2---5.5
5fr Kelly Schmidt, MH (g2, 3) 0-1/4-1---4.0
6 Kelly Roysland, DS 0-0-0----0
6fr Rochelle Hagerty, RH 0-0/4-5---7
6fr Katie Vatterodt, RH (g2) 0-0/1-0----0.5
totals: 3-7/22-44---65 points; 27 points on Michigan errors

MICHIGAN
1. Lexi Zimmerman, S 1-0-3---4.0
2. Katie Bruzdzinski, OH 0-0-16----16.0
3. Stesha Selsky, L 1-0-1----2
3fr Beth Karpiak, MH 0-1/1-3---4.5
4. Megan Bower, DS 2-0-0----2
4fr Sarah Draves, RH 0-0/2-9----10
5 Kerry Hance, DS 0-0-0----0
5fr Veronica Rood, OH 0-0/2-5----6.0
6 Lyndsay Miller, MH 1-0/1-10---11.5
6br Maggie Busch, DS 0-0-0----0
totals: 4-1/6-47----55 points, 29 points on Minnesota errors

TRENCH PLAYER
Kayla Roehrig

BY THE NUMBERS
team, fbso/att; %; total points; earned%; allowed%
Minnesota 31/48, .646, 92, .707; .345
Michigan 29/49, .592; .655; .293
3+ runs: Minnesota 10, Michigan 9
Missed Serves: Minnesota 10, Michigan 9

ROTATIONS
MINNESOTA
1. Dieter 23-16 .590
2. Gibbemeyer 14-14 .500
3. Hartmann 28-22 .560
4. Cowles 7-16 .304
5. Tan 11-9 .550
6. Roysland 9-7 .563
totals: 92-84 .523

MICHIGAN
1. Zimmerman 16-14 .533
2. Bruzdzinski 11-31 .262
3. Selsky 22-7 .759
4. Bower 16-11 .593
5. Hance 9-9 .500
6. Miller/Busch 9-20 .310
totals: 84-92 .477
It was the best & worst of times for the Wolverines. The 2nd rotation really took a hit, while the 3rd kept them in the contest.

Next up: more college reports

Indiana Drops Ohio State

#2 posting 9.30.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

D1 ACTION
BIG 10
Illinois swept Northwestern. Illinois Freshman Laura DeBruhler had 20 kills.

Indiana kept Ohio State reeling with a four game win. Indiana's Annie Moddrell had 27 kills.

Penn State shut out Purdue. PSU is 4-0 in the conference.

Wisconsin triumphed over Michigan State in four. The Badgers are also atop the Big 10 standings at 4-0.

Minnesota faces Michigan today at 1 pm.

SUMMIT LEAGUE
North Dakota State beat Western Illinois in four. NDSU's Kari Fagnan (Fridley) had a school record 34 digs in the contest.

South Dakota State swept UMKC to remain unbeaten in the Summit. SDSU's Amy Anderson (Huron) set a new school career block assist record with 349 and counting. The old record was 345. Emily Rooney (Red Wing) had 9 kills for SDSU.

OTHERS
Iowa State beat Texas Tech 3-1. ISU's Erin Boeve (Hills-Beaver Creek) had 17 kills on the night.

Stony Brook lost to Albany in five in the America East opener.

Providence won twice at the North Carolina Central tournament with wins over North Carolina A&T and Savannah State. Sarah Fleming (Cretin-Derham Hall) had 17 kills in the NC A&T game and 12 kills in the Savannah State game.

San Diego swept San Francisco in the West Coast opener. Laurel Abrahamson (Bloomington Jefferson) had 12 kills to lead USD.

NUMBER CRUNCHING
TOTAL POINTS
Annie Modrell, Indiana 30 vs Ohio State 3-1
Brooke VandenBergh, North Dakota State 28.5 vs Western Illinois 3-1
Erin Boeve, Iowa State 23 vs Texas Tech 3-1
Christy Stuewe, North Dakota State 21 vs Western Illinois 3-1
Ashley Baker, Western Illinois 20.5 vs North Dakota State 1-3
Laura DeBruhler, Illinois 20 vs Northwestern 3-0

Thanks to the readers for the help. If you have news, go to my profile and email me.

next up: more college reports

Farmington the Team at Century

#1 posting 9.30.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

SATURDAY TOURNAMENTS
Farmington beat Hayfield in the championships of the Rochester Century tournament. From the Rochester Post Bulletin.

The St. Cloud Times has summaries of the Onamia and Pierz tournaments in the middle of the high school recap.

TOURNAMENT WINNERS
BELGRADE-BROOTEN-ELROSA:
BERTHA-HEWITT: Brandon-Evansville
BLAINE: Blaine
COON RAPIDS:
CROMWELL
DASSEL-COKATO: Faribault
DULUTH EAST: Hill-Murray
DULUTH MARSHALL:
NICOLLET:
ONAMIA: Eden Valley-Watkins
PARKERS PRAIRIE:
PIERZ: Wadena-Deer Creek
ROCHESTER CENTURY: Farmington
RUSSELL-TYLER-RUTHTON: Russell-Tyler-Ruthton
SIMLEY: Hutchinson
VIRGINIA:
WALKER-HACKENSACK-AKELEY:

LATE HIGH SCHOOL RESULTS
New Prague topped Northfield in five in Missota action on Thursday. Northfield setter Katie McDonald reached the 1000 assist mark in the contest. From the Northfield News.

St. Clair beat Alden-Conger in four on Thursday in the Valley Conference.

NRHEG swept Mankato Loyola in Gopher Conference action. Both the above from the Albert Lea Tribune.

Spring Grove downed Southeast conference newcomer Hope Lutheran in three. From the Spring Grove Herald.

Thanks to the readers for the help. If we are missing a tournament result, make sure you go to my profile and email me.

next up; college reports.

All MIAC Games 3-0

#3 posting 9.29.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

D3
MIAC
Bethel swept Macalester

Carleton broomed St. Catherine

You can see a video of the LaChapelle sisters on why they chose Carleton. It is 6 minutes long.

Concordia Moorhead blanked St. Olaf

Hamline shut out Augsburg

St. Benedict went three & out with St. Mary's

St. Thomas tagged Gustavus with a 3-0 loss. It was Gustavus' first loss in the MIAC this year.

UMAC TOURNAMENT
Northland is hosting the event. Here is the tournament headquarters.
Northland beat UM Morris and Presentation

Northwestern, MN beat Bethany Lutheran and Martin Luther

St. Scholastica won twice with victories over UM Morris and Presentation

PLATTEVILLE TOURNAMENT
Eau Claire won twice with victories over Cornell and Lake Forest. Lissa Martinez (White Bear Lake) had 18 kills for UWEC in the Cornell game.

Host Platteville won twice with victories over Cornell and Stout

Stout beat Lake Forest

SIMPSON TOURNAMENT
Loras won twice with victories over UW River Falls and Wartburg, IA

UW LaCrosse won twice with victories over Principia and host Simpson

Simpson beat Principia

Wartburg beat River Falls

WHITEWATER TOURNAMENT
Host Whitewater won twice with victories over Beloit and St. Ambrose

Trinity International won twice with victories over Concordia, WI and Beloit

St. Ambrose beat Iowa Wesleyan

Concordia, WI beat Iowa Wesleyan.

NUMBER CRUNCHING
Leslie Bremer, Bethany Lutheran 25.5 vs Crown 3-0
Annie Eckhoff, Carleton 22 vs St. Catherine 3-0
Melissa Anderson, Northland 21.5 vs Presentation 3-1
Kim Smisek, St. Olaf 21 vs Concordia Moorhead 0-3

Thanks to the readers for the help. If you have news, go to my profile and email me.

next up: tomorrow

Mary Pushes Concordia St. Paul to Five

#2 posting 9.29.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

D2 ACTION
NORTH CENTRAL
#21 UN Omaha topped South Dakota 3-1. USD is now 16-3.

NORTHERN SUN
#6 Concordia St. Paul went five with Mary taking game five 18-16. Mary rallied from a 2-0 deficit to put a scare into the Golden Bears.

MSU Moorhead also took game five with Northern State 18-16.

#4 SW MN State swept Upper Iowa.

Bemidji State topped UM Crookston 3-1. BSU has a four game win streak, their longest since 2004.

Winona State beat Wayne State 3-1. Winona State snapped a four game losing streak. Emily Schroeder of Wayne State had 32 kills on the night.

NUMBER CRUNCHING
TOTAL POINTS
Emily Schroeder, Wayne State 36 vs Winona State 1-3
Kelsey Aden, Northern State 27.5 vs MSU Moorhead 2-3
Megan Norling, MSU Moorhead 26 vs Northern State 3-2
Carlie Christensen, UN Omaha 25 vs South Dakota 3-1
Whitney Meierotto, Concordia St. Paul 22.5 vs Mary 3-1
Nicole Olson, Bemidji State 21 vs UM Crookston 3-1
Katie Bonine, UM Crookston 20.5 vs Bemidji State 1-3
Brittney Burns, Bemidji State 20 vs UM Crookston 3-1
Laura Tvrdik, MSU Moorhead 20 vs Northern State 3-2
Jenna Padley, Winona State 20 vs Wayne State 3-1

Thanks to the readers for the help. If you have news, go to my profile and email me

next up: d3 action

Iowa Shocks Michigan

#1 posting 9.29.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

D1 RESULTS
BIG 10
Iowa shocked #11 Michigan. The Hawkeyes trailed 2-0 before climbing to victory. It was Iowa's first win over a ranked team since 2000. Minnesota swept Iowa on Wednesday.

The #12 Gophers host Michigan on Sunday at 1 pm. Minnesota lost at Michigan last year and should be ready. Michigan will try to wash the loss to Iowa out of their system. Match should be a doozy.

Illinois rallied from 2-0 down to defeat Michigan State. Illinois had 14 blocks, while Michigan State had 18.

#3 Penn State swept Indiana.

#9 Wisconsin topped Northwestern in four. NW won game three to spoil the sweep.

Purdue swept Ohio State.

SUMMIT LEAGUE
North Dakota State swept UMKC. Kelly Lopez (DGF) had 15 kills for NDSU.

South Dakota State swept Western Illinois. It was SDSU's 12th straight win.
Mackenzie Osadchuk (Eastview) had 7 kills for SDSU.

OTHER D1
Miami, OH upset #17 Ohio 3-1. It was the Bobcats first home loss in five years. Amanda Anderson (Centennial) had 7 kills.

Cincinnati swept Marquette.

North Carolina Central swept Providence. Sarah Fleming (Cretin-Derham Hall) had 3 kills for Providence.

TRANSITION TO D1
Katie Dull of Ohio State describes the transition from High School to D1 play.

BOEVE'S BLOG
Erin Boeve, Iowa State (Hills-Beaver Creek) has a blog going. This is her 7th edition.

NUMBER CRUNCHING
POINT TOTALS
Laura Kremer, Iowa 29 vs Michigan 3-2
Brittney Dolgner, Wisconsin 26.5 vs Northwestern 3-1
Katie Bruzdzinski, Michigan 25 vs Iowa 2-3
Brittani Gray, Northwester 24.5 vs Wisconsin 1-3
Stephanie Blackburn, Ohio 23.5 vs Miami, OH 1-3
Ashley Schatzle, Michigan State 23 vs Illinois 2-3
Kimberly Todd, Marquette 21.5 vs Cincinnati 0-3
Shari Mathews, North Carolina Central 21 vs Providence 3-0
Vicki Brown, Illinois 20.5 vs Michigan State 3-2
Beth Karpiak, Michigan 20.5 vs Iowa 2-3
Kristina Martin, South Dakota State 20.5 vs Western Illinois 3-0
Laura DeBruler, Illinois 20 vs Michigan State 3-2

Thanks to the readers for the help. If you have news, go to my profile and email me.

Next up: D2 action

Chaska, Jordan Win

#5 posting 9.28.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

MORE LATE RESULTS
AAA
Chaska has a four game win streak after they beat Rosemount in a sweep. From the Chanhassen Villager.

AA
#1 Jordan swept Sibley East in Minnesota River action. From the Jordan Independent.

Next up: tomorrow morning

Goodhue Tops Stewartville

#4 posting 9.28.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

MORE THURSDAY HIGH SCHOOL ACTION
AAA
#6 Burnsville swept Lakeville South in Lake conference play. This was a revenge game as LS beat the Blaze in the Farmington tournament. From the Savage Pacer.

#2 Lakeville North topped Eden Prairie in four. From the Eden Prairie News.

#1 Shakopee rolled Red Wing only allowing 19 points the whole evening. From the Red Wing Republican Eagle.

Faribault beat Albert Lea in a sweep, but the last game was tight 26-24. From the Albert Lea Tribune.

Rocori broomed Brained in Central Lakes play. From the Brainerd Dispatch.

AA
Wadena-Deer Creek snapped Pine River-Backus' 16 game winning streak in a sweep. Plus other action in the Brainerd Dispatch.

Cannon Falls swept Lake City plus other area results in the Red Wing Republican Eagle.

A
Hiawatha Valley newcomer Goodhue took out perennial power Stewartville in four. Goodhue is undefeated at 12-0. From the Red Wing Republican Eagle.

Grand Meadow beat Spring Grove in four in Southeast action.

After falling in the first game LeRoy-Ostrander beat Lanesboro in four. Both from the Austin Daily Herald.

LATE, LATE RESULTS
Prior Lake won the Richfield Invitational last weekend. From the Savage Pacer.

Cook County is 4-5 and in 5th in the Polar League. From the Cook County News-Herald.

Randolph is 2-2 in the Gopher Conference after a pair of losses.

Cannon Falls swept two Hiawatha rivals. Both from the Cannon Falls Beacon.

Thanks to the readers for the help. If you have news, go to my profile and email me.

Next up: tonight's bedtime edition

#12 vs #11; 999 & Counting; On the Road

#3 posting 9.28.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

college reports

MICHIGAN TEST
The #12 Minnesota Gophers face #11 Michigan on Sunday. Last year Minnesota stubbed their toe in Ann Arbor. Revenge is in the air. From the Minnesota Daily.

MILESTONE WATCH
St. Cloud State libero Andreana Pieper (Lake of the Woods) is one dig away from 1000. From the St. Cloud State University Chronicle.

ROAD WARRIORS
Macalester does not have a home gym this season, so practice is off campus (at Cretin-Derham Hall), not to mention all the road games. From the Mac Weekly.

Thanks to the readers for the help. If you have news, go to my profile and email me.

next up: later this afternoon with more HS reports

SW MN Christian Tops SW Star In Red Rock

#2 posting 9.28.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

AA
Yellow Medicine East stayed atop the West Central South volleyball standings with a 3-1 win over Benson. Plus other results in the West Central Tribune.

Litchfield won their third straight with a sweep of Orono. once again with other results in the West Central Tribune.

Hermantown sunk Ashland, WI in a sweep for their 38th consecutive Lake Superior Conference win. From the Duluth News Tribune.

New Ulm beat St. Peter in four after losing the first game in South Central action. From the New Ulm Journal.

See the last story below for the Pipestone 3-2 win over Jackson County Central.

A
#1 Windom returned to action after a nine day lay off with a sweep of Worthington. From the Worthington Daily Globe.

#3 Minneota lanced Canby in three in Camden play. From the Marshall Independent.

In other Camden action it was Central Christian outlasting KMS in five. plus other results in the West Central Christian.

Wabasha-Kellogg defeated Kingsland in four in Three River action.

Lyle-Pacelli beat Hope Lutheran for the second time this season in Southeast action. From the Rochester Post Bulletin.

The top four teams in the Tomahawk faced each other last night with Sleepy Eye St. Mary's and MN Valley Lutheran picking up wins. MVL had to rally with from 2-1 down to beat Wabasso. MVL is alone in first place. From the New Ulm Journal.

New Ulm Cathedral beat Cedar Mountain-Comfrey in four in Tomahawk action.

In the Red Rock Conference it was SW MN Christian topping SW Star in five in a battle of conference unbeatens. From the Worthington Daily Globe.

Adrian swept MLBO in the Red Rock plus other recaps in the Worthington Daily Globe.

NUMBER CRUNCHING
ASSISTS
Marcie Flygare, MN Valley Lutheran 45 vs Wabasso 3-2
KILLS
Kara Black, MN Valley Lutheran 22 vs Wabasso 3-2

Thanks to the readers for the help. If you have news, go to my profile and email me.

next up; College reports

VerVelde Verbals, Bemidji Snaps 29 Year Streak

#1 posting 9.28.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

VERBAL
Jocelyn VerVelde of Sheboygan Christian is headed to North Dakota State. VerVelde is a 6-4 middle on a 21-3 team. She played with Badger Region High Performance in JO Season. The Wisconsin Badgers wanted her to walk on.

AAA
Bemidji mashed the Spuds of Moorhead in three. From the Bemidji Pioneer and Fargo Forum.

Rochester Mayo swept Winona in Big 9 action. Mayo is undefeated in conference.

Rochester JM halted Austin 3-1. JM is 4-2 in the Big 9. Both from the Rochester Post Bulletin.

In the battle of Mankato it was East over West. From the Mankato Free Press.

In the battle of St. Cloud it was Tech over Apollo 3-1. Plus other results in the St. Cloud Times.

Sartell went the distance with Willmar taking games 1, 2, 5. From the West Central Tribune.

Blaine swept Elk River.

Buffalo won a 3-2 marathon with Rogers. Both from the Elk River Star News.


LATE
Alexandria picked up their first conference loss on Tuesday against Rocori. Here is the Alexandria Echo Press with their version of events.

NUMBER CRUNCHING
KILLS
Cari Lieser, Albany 23 vs New London-Spicer 3-2
Megan Loesch, St. Cloud Tech 20 vs St. Cloud Apollo 3-1
Erica Sudduth, Rogers 20 vs Buffalo 2-3

Thanks to the readers for the help. If you have news, go to my profile and email me.

next up: More HS results

Fives are Wild

#5 posting 9.27.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

TONIGHT
The reason this is so late is my game (Henry) tonight with Mpls Washburn went five games. The Patriots won 25-27, 25-18, 25-12, 24-26, 15-10. It was the third time Henry and Washburn have played this year. Henry also won at Washburn in five on the first day of school. The two split at the St. Paul Academy tournament. Koua Xiong had 8 aces and 12 kills for Henry. Kiah Hanssen-Kilpatrick added 15 kills.

Hutchinson swept Missota rival Holy Angels tonight to move to 4-0 in conference and 11-2 overall. Freshman Ashley Murtha and junior Laura Carlson each had 15 kills for Hutch. From the Hutchinson Leader.

LATE TUESDAY
Waterville-Elysian-Morristown also went five with NRHEG taking games 2, 4, and 5. Plus other area results from the Albert Lea Tribune.

400th Win, What Goes into Winning

#3 posting 9.27.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

WIN 400
Jane Peterson, coach of Central Lakes has a feature in the Brainerd Dispatch on the milestone 400th win on Sept 15 and her successful career.

LATE RESULTS
You just tripled you win total from last year. How do you celebrate? TP the coach's house. That is what Austin did when the won their 9th game of the year. From the Austin Daily Herald.

Here is the Austin Daily Herald report on the Anoka-Ramsey four game win over Riverland.

WHAT GOES INTO WINNING
Here are some numbers and facts from the games I have charted this year at both the High School and D1 Gopher games:
FBSO (First Ball Side Out): The break point seems to be at .575 on this stat at the HS level. The only team that lost above the mark was Mayer Lutheran (.606) against Eden Prairie (.694), but as you can see they were trumped by EP.
In the D1 games with the Gophers the mark is .590 with a record of 5-1. The only loss was Minnesota against Ohio.
POINTS EARNED/ALLOWED: There isn't a strong trend in either direction which surprises me. I thought the allowed portion might correlate better. When I checked on points allowed per game the stats were 8-3 when teams allowed less than 6.8 ppg.
However it was a different matter when it came to earned points. If a team earned at least 14.7 ppg their margin is 11-0.
In the Gopher games if you earn more than 20 points a game the record is 4-0. If you allow less than 7.3 ppg the result is 3-1. The only loss being tagged on San Diego against the Gophers.
3+ RUNS: If a team averages 2.67 runs per game their collective record is 10-0, and if they give up less than 1.67 runs per game the collective record is 12-1. The only loss was Mayer Lutheran in the Eden Prairie game. The key differential is 0.75 more runs for your team than allowed. That record is 11-0.
For the Gophers a 2.33 rpg the record is 3-1, and a 1.5 runs allowed per game record is 3-1.
The numbers are probably too small to draw big conclusions at least the D1 level.

RECORDS
here are six teams that I have seen at least twice with fbso %; and then pts allowed pg.
FBSO
Eden Prairie .675
Shakopee .607
Alexandria .582
Lakeville North .573
Mayer Lutheran .511
Marshall .460
PAPG
Shakopee 6.3
Lakeville North 6.3
Eden Prairie 7.8
Alexandria 7.8
Mayer Lutheran 8.0
Marshall 8.3

Thanks to the readers for your help. If you have news, go to my profile and email me.

next up: later tonight.

Gophers Sweep Hawkeyes

#2 posting 9.27.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

GOPHERS 3-0 IN BIG 10
The Minnesota Gophers continued their sweeps of the Big 10 with another shut out at Iowa. Middle Jessy Jones had another strong performance with 12 kills and a hand in five blocks.

D2
Former Marshall player and current UM Duluth player Sarah Wyffels had a strong homecoming on Tuesday when UMD swept SW MN State. From the Marshall Independent.

The Northern Sun named SW MN State's Erin Contons (Apple Valley), MSU Moorhead's Julie Vancura (Anoka) and Mary's Kendra Hobbs (Tartan) as athletes of the week.
Contons has won weekly honors 11 times in her career.

D3
The MIAC named their athletes of the week which include St. Thomas' Katie McCaffery (Fort Collins, CO), and St. Benedict's Beth Hanson (Bethlehem Academy).

#25 Carleton beat Hamline in four.

St. Benedict swept St. Olaf. St. Olaf's Kim Smisek (Northfield) had 18 kills to lead both teams.

Oshkosh swept LaCrosse. Katelyn Carlson (Rochester Mayo) had 15 kills for LaCrosse.

Superior beat Stout in four. It was Superior's first win in conference. Jenna Swanson (Hayfield) had 13 kills for Stout. Courtney Stach (Bertha-Hewitt) had 11 kills for Stout.

#3 Whitewater triumphed Platteville in four. Rebekah Nelson reached the 1000 kill mark for Whitewater.

COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Anoka Ramsey beat Riverland in four.

Hibbing beat Rainy River in four.

Ridgewater finished the first half of the conference season undefeated as they swept MN West. From the West Central Tribune and Worthington Daily Globe.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Megan Wiebe, NDSCS was named athlete of the week in the Mon-Dak community college conference. Wiebe is from Perham, MN. From the Wahpeton Daily News.

Thanks to the readers for the help. If you have news, go to my profile and email me.

next up: later this afternoon.

Promotion Needed

#1 posting 9.27.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information


STATS AND PROMOTION

The West Central Tribune in Willmar writes about the lack of help in getting stats from volleyball coaches. Only 8 of 21 contribute in that area.

High school coaches need to promote the sport, and one way is through the stats. Now stats may lie and not tell the whole truth, but that is part of the education process coaches need to make to the general public. Withholding information is not the sign of big time programs.

Time issues entering numbers may be a factor. Maybe not enough personnel is available to chart games. Maybe the coaches are new and don't realize these vehicles are available. These are problems that can be delegated.


I recommend putting your stats up on MaxPreps just to help get high school volleyball the publicity it deserves. More information, more cooperation is needed on this sport that lacks media attention. Some top 10 teams haven't joined the party yet.

Right now Brittany Chambers, Jordan is leading the Kills per game with 5.8 according to MaxPreps. The best conference in promotion right now is the NW Suburban with 7/10 schools putting numbers up.


ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Tiffany Yarke of Melrose has been named athlete of the week in the West Central Conference. Found in the St. Cloud Times.


LATE REPORTS

Kingsland swept Rushford-Peterson last Thursday and were swept by Caledonia. From the Spring Valley Tribune.

Thanks to the readers for the help. If you have news, go to my profile and email me.

next up: college reports.

Kenyon-Wanamingo Milestones

#5 posting 9.26.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

LATE REPORTS
AAA
Forest Lake's only loss this year is to Shakopee. Here is the Forest Lake Times with the Ranger results last week.

Here is the Brainerd side of the story in Brainerd's loss to Willmar. From the Brainerd Dispatch.

Holy Angels beat Red Wing in a sweep in the storm induced make up game. From the Red Wing Republican Eagle.

AA
In the battle of the Saints on Tuesday it was St. James over St. Peter in a sweep. Last Thursday the Saints lost to Blue Earth in a fiver. From the St. James Plaindealer.

Kenyon-Wanamingo is rolling. Kristen Boyum went over 1000 digs, and Josie Anderson went over 2000 assists last weekend.
Cannon Falls topped Winona Cotter plus other area recaps. Both in the Red Wing Republican Eagle.

A
Sleepy Eye lost twice last week in Tomahawk action, including the 500th win for Buffalo Lake-Hector coach Susan Alstrom. From the Sleepy Eye News.

Pine River-Backus keeps winning with a four game win over Park Rapids. plus other area recaps in the Brainerd Dispatch.

NUMBER CRUNCHING
KILLS
Jill Storlie, Byron 25 vs Goodhue 1-3

Thanks for all the great help readers. If you have news go to my profile and email me.

next up: tomorrow morning.

Owatonna in a Sweep

#4 posting 9.26.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

LATE TUESDAY RESULTS
AAA
Austin won their second Big 9 match in a row with a four game win over Rochester Century. From the Rochester Post Bulletin.

Owatonna swept Albert Lea. From the Albert Lea Tribune.

Fergus Falls lost to Sartell in four in Central Lakes action. From the Fergus Falls Daily Journal.

AA
In the battle of the Cardinals it was Redwood Valley outlasting Luverne in five. From the Redwood Falls Gazette.

A
Alden-Conger defeated Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial in four. AC is now 2nd in the Valley. From the Albert Lea Tribune.

Parkers Prairie's win over Hillcrest Lutheran leads the Fergus Falls Daily Journal area coverage.

Thanks to the readers of this site for the help. If you have news, go to my profile and email me.

LATE LAST WEEK
The weekly paper roundup
Pequot Lakes rallied from a deficit of 2-1 to beat Park Rapids in Mid-State action, but lost to undefeated Pine River-Backus in a sweep on Thursday. From the Lake Country Echo.

Pine River-Backus is unblemished this season with three more wins last week, all sweeps. From the Lake Country Echo.

Next up: later tonight with more late reports.

Coaching Openings

#3 posting 9.26.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

COACHING JOBS
Want to live a volleyball life in a sunnier clime?
The director of TCA volleyball club, Neil Mason, is looking for additional coaches to work in his clubs. TCA currently has programs in Orange County, CA, Austin, TX and Atlanta, GA and is working to develop a program in the Northeast. We are looking for people willing to move on to a career in coaching club volleyball. If this interests you, please contact Neil at nmason@tcavolleyball.com or leave a message on the company phone at (949) 706-6963. We are looking for both assistant and head coaches for our teams throughout the Nation.

Thanks to the readers for the help. If you have news, go to my profile and email me.

next up: later this afternoon with more HS volleyball reports

UM Duluth Sweeps SW MN State

#2 posting 9.26.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

D1
Minnesota travels to play a "weak" Iowa team (The MN Daily's words in quotes). Hawkeye Becky Walters is out for the season with a knee injury.

St. Louis beat Northern Iowa in five. Amy Sampson (Champlin Park) had a career high 19 kills for UNI.

Stony Brook swept Fordham. Alicia Nelson (Eastview) had six kills for Stony Brook.

D2
In the marquee match up last night it was #3 UM Duluth sweeping #4 SW MN State in Marshall. This was a rematch of the Denver Premier finals also won by UMD.

In another battle of ranked teams #6 Concordia St. Paul broomed #11 Augustana.

#16 MSU Mankato beat wounded Winona State in four. Also from the Winona Daily News.

#22 UN Kearney edged #21 UN Omaha in five in a battle of ranked Nebraska schools.

St. Cloud State dropped UM Crookston in four.

Upper Iowa swept Mt. Mercy.

D3
Bethel swept St. Mary's.

St. Catherine edged Martin Luther in four.

Stevens Point defeated Lawrence in a sweep. Pam Nora (Forest Lake) had 9 kills for UWSP.

COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Northland went five with Mesabi Range.

NUMBER CRUNCHING
ASSISTS
Maggie McNamara, Concordia St. Paul 52 vs Augustana 3-0
KILLS
Ashley Shields, St. Cloud State 20 vs UM Crookston 3-1

Thanks to the readers for the help. If you have news, go to my profile and email me.

next up: more news

Rocori Jumbles Central Lakes Race

#1 posting 9.26.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

TUESDAY NIGHT RESULTS
AAA
Mankato East went the distance with Rochester JM in Big Nine play. From the Rochester Post Bulletin.

St. Cloud Tech quieted the Sauk Rapids Storm in a sweep in Central Lakes action. Plus other area results in the St. Cloud Times including Rocori's five game win over Alex.

Willmar broomed Brainerd. From the West Central Tribune.

AA
#2 DGF rolled past Perham in Heart O'Lakes action. The story is in the middle of the Fargo Forum area coverage.

Rochester Lourdes outlasted Zumbrota-Mazeppa in a fiver in the Hiawatha Valley. From the Rochester Post Bulletin.

Caledonia beat St. Charles in four in Three River action. Plus other results from the Winona Daily News.

Pine City swept Zimmerman in Rum River play. From the Elk River Star News.

Benson served up a sweep win over Minnewaska in the West Central South. The Braves had 13 aces on the night. plus other area results in the West Central Tribune.

New Ulm swept Blue Earth in South Central action. From the New Ulm Journal.

A
#3 Minneota swept Dawson-Boyd in Camden action, plus other results in the Marshall Independent.

In a battle of Tomahawk conference leaders it was MN Valley Lutheran topping Sleepy Eye St. Mary's in four. MVL is now the only remaining unbeaten team in conference. SESM has 1 loss as does GFW. Those two teams will play on Thursday while MVL travels to Wabasso to take on the Rabbits who just lost to GFW last night and only have 2 conference losses. It's still going to be a battle all the way to the end. From the New Ulm Journal.

Houston took the final game 16-14 in a fiver with Lyle-Pacelli in the Southeast conference. From the Rochester Post Bulletin.

MACCRAY swept Central Christian in Camden action. The Wolverines are now 5-5. Plus other area results from the West Central Tribune.

Murray County Central is 8-3 in this "rebuilding" season thanks to part to Emily Bose. From the Marshall Independent.

Nicollet swept Truman in Valley action, plus other area recaps in the New Ulm Journal.

It was Eagles over Falcons as SW MN Christian defeated Red Rock Central in Red Rock Conference play. SW Star swept Adrian, plus other area results from the Worthington Daily Globe.

LATE MONDAY
Wadena-Deer Creek swept Breckenridge. From the Wahpeton Daily News.

LATE LAST WEEK
Alexandria's Apple Valley experience, where they finished 10th, is recounted in the Alexandria Echo Press. The article says Eden Prairie tournament, but they meant AV.
Alexandria swept Fergus Falls in a battle of undefeated Central Lakes teams. From the Alexandria Echo Press.

NUMBER CRUNCHING
ASSISTS
Marcie Flygare, MN Valley Lutheran 44 vs Sleepy Eye St. Mary's 3-1
KILLS
Jordan Hansen, Rocori 21 vs Alexandria 3-2

Thanks to the readers for the help. If you have news, go to my profile and email me.

next up: college reports

Suapaia To Walk On

#4 posting 9.25.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

GOPHER WALK ON
Ashley Suapaia, Bloomington Kennedy will walk on at the University of Minnesota next season. She is a libero. She joins
6-5 Tabi Love of Dauphin, Manitoba;
5-11 Alex Blatt of Orland Park, Ill. a setter. She is from Sandburg HS #45 in the PrepVolleyball.com poll.
6-2 Ariana Filho of Monument, Colorado. She wrote a blog entry when she was a member of the USA National Youth Team last winter.
5-9 Jessica Granquist of Blaine
as the 2008 senior class.

TONIGHT
Goodhue defeated Byron 26-24, 22-25, 24-26, 19-25 in a tight Hiawatha Valley match.

In a not so tight match Minneapolis Southwest remained undefeated in the city with a sweep over Henry (25-15, 25-16, 25-12)

LATE MONDAY
Big Lake beat Rogers 3-1 in Mississippi 8 action. It was Rogers' first conference loss of the year. From the Elk River Star News.

LAST WEEK
Sauk Centre topped Melrose last week in four in the West Central North Conference. From the Sauk Centre Herald.

POLLS
The StarTribune looks at the rise of SW MN State in the D2 polls. The Mustangs started the season #25 and are now #4.

In the D3 polls this week MIAC schools St. Thomas is #6, Concordia Moorhead #12 and Carleton is 25th.

M*A*S*H UNIT
Winona State had five of their seven starters injured last week. There past week is recounted in the Winonan the Winona State campus paper.

Thanks to the readers for the help. If you have news, go to my profile and email me.

next up: tomorrow morning.

Late Monday Results

#3 posting 9.25.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

LATE MONDAY RESULTS
Riceville, IA beat Southland in five. From the Rochester Post Bulletin.

Montgomery-Lonsdale lost the first game, but won the next three in a victory over NRHEG. From the Albert Lea Tribune.

LATE LAST WEEKEND
United South Central took home the first place trophy in the Truman tournament. From the Albert Lea Tribune.

The Crookston Times looks back at the two wins by UM Crookston on the road last weekend.

Thanks to the readers for the help. If you have news, go to my profile and email me.

Next up: later tonight.

Abrahamson Takes Weekly Honor

#2 posting 9.25.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

GAMES LAST NIGHT
San Diego beat New Mexico in four. Laurel Abrahamson (Bloomington Jefferson) had 13 kills for SD. Abrahamson also was named athlete of the week in the West Coast Conference.

POLLS
The Minnesota Gophers remain at #12 in the latest D1 poll.

UM Duluth remains #3 in the D2 poll. The Bulldogs face #4 SW MN State tonight in Marshall From the Marshall Independent.

WEEKLY AWARDS
BIG 10
Christa Harmotto, Penn State and Audra Jeffers, Wisconsin took honors for the Big 10.

NORTH CENTRAL
UM Duluth took two honors in the weekly awards with Vicky Braegelmann and setter Katie Gangelhoff winning awards. It is Gangelhoff's fourth honor this year. Braegelmann picked up her first honor this year. Jenna Lego, Augustana was the North Central defensive winner. Lego is from Ankeny, IA.

MSU Mankato is ready to play Winona State tonight.

Thanks to the readers for their help. If you have news, go to my profile and email me.

Next up: later this afternoon with more high school volleyball news.

Two Shakopee Athletes of the Week

#1 posting 9.25.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

HIGH SCHOOL RESULTS
AAA
Rochester Mayo swept Big 9 rival Mankato West. From the Rochester Post Bulletin.

Hutchinson powered past Buffalo Lake-Hector in a non conference sweep. Plus other area results from the West Central Tribune.

Osseo swept Elk River in the Northwest Suburban. From the Elk River Star News.

AA
Becker's sweep of Zimmerman leads the coverage in the St. Cloud Times.

Pipestone and Jackson County Central each won sweeps on Monday. The two Southwest conference rivals see each other Thursday. From the Worthington Daily Globe.

A
RTR went five games to knock off Central Christian in Camden action. Plus other results in the Marshall Independent.

Park Christian swept Barnesville. PC's Ashley Peterson is featured. From the Fargo Forum.

BOXES
As always, the Duluth News Tribune has boxes as does the Grand Forks Herald.

LATE RESULTS
On Saturday Glenville-Emmons swept Spring Grove. GE is now 5-2 in the Southeast. From the Albert Lea Tribune.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Mollie Geske, Shakopee Libero, was named Athlete of the Week in the StarTribune.

Shakopee setter Jessica Menden was Athlete of the Week on KARE11.

TONIGHT
In another big contest tonight it is #8 A Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa at Eden Valley-Watkins. This match could decide the Central Minnesota title. From the St. Cloud Times way, way at the end of the article.

Thanks to the readers for the help. If you have news, go to my profile and email me.

Next up: college reports.

Out & About: Champlin Park/Armstrong

#4 posting 9.24.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

CHAMPLIN PARK rebels 3, ARMSTRONG falcons 0
(25-22, 25-20, 25-12)

Champlin Park moved to 12-2 on the year with a sweep of Armstrong of the Classic Lake. It was CP's fifth straight win. Armstrong is now 6-6. In a battle of middles Kristi Larson had 12 kills for Armstrong, while Chrissy Knuth had 11 for CP. Knuth had 15 totals points however, two more than Larson.

8th grade setter Ally Callanan of Armstrong put the Falcons up with four straight service points, including three aces on her jump serve. The biggest Armstrong lead came at 15-10. After that CP went on a 9-3 run to reclaim the lead 19-18. The game then moved to side out mode with seven straight changes of serve. Knuth had two straight side out kills for CP to get to 23-22. That is when Armstrong took a time out, the only time out was called in the first game. Knuth served out with a kill by Lindsay Johnston finishing the give and take first game 25-22.

Julie Kocemba served up four straight aces to start game two, and Armstrong used that momentum to build an 8-2 lead. Kristi Larson had three kills in this sequence. Knuth started the CP comeback with a pair of aces. Armstrong led 11-6 when CP went on a 8-1 run with a pair of four point runs. Four of those points were off Armstrong errors. The break in this game came after a 15 all tie when the CP threw a block party. Of the next 8 CP points, three came off of blocks. Knuth again was instrumental with a hand in three points, plus three service points. Game two ended on Natalie Thomas' kill.

By the third game Armstrong had spent emotional energy and was running on empty. The Falcons were only able to get one side out in the last six CP servers. It wasn't only Armstrong couldn't get the first ball side out, but they were giving chunks of four points away a crack. CP had four runs in the third game while Armstrong only had one. Johnston again finished off the game and the match with a kill.

photos: #1 Armstrong setter Ally Callanan tries to save a ball tight to the net with Kristi Larson ready to attack. #2 a joust between Armstrong's Larson and CP's Jaime Ness.

CHAMPLIN PARK
1. Natalie Thomas, S, 1-0-5----6
2. Jessica Niesen, L 0-0-1----1
2fr Madison Sawyer 0-1-1-----2
3. Chrissy Knuth, MH 3-1-11---15
4. Kayla Thiebault, S 3-0-0----3
4fr Jaime Ness, RH 0-2.5-3---5.5
5. Lindsey Johnson, OH 1-0-8----9
6. Kelsey Reed, DS 1-0-1----2
6fr Breann Padden, MH 0-2.5-0---2.5
totals: 9-7-30----46 points, 29 points on Armstrong errors

ARMSTRONG
1. Julie Kocemba, L 4-0-0---4
1fr Dominique Thompson, MH 0-0-10----10
2. Hannah Rosebrock, RH 0-0-0-----0
3. #15 1-0-1----2
4. Kristi Larson, MH 0-1-12-----13
5. Ally Callanan, S 3-0-0----3
6. Ana Sather, OH 0-1-4----5
6 Jordan Miller, OH (g2) 0-0-1---1
totals: 8-2-28----38 points, 16 points on Champlin Park errors

TRENCH PLAYER
Chrissy Knuth

BY THE NUMBERS
Champlin Park 20/33; .606; 75; .613; .296
Armstrong 16/34; .471; 54; .704; .387
3+ runs: Champlin Park 13, Armstrong 5
missed serves: Armstrong 6, CP 2

ROTATIONS
CHAMPLIN PARK
1 Thomas 12-10 .545
2 Niesen 13-9 .591
3 Knuth 17-9 .654
4 Thiebault 11-5 .688
5 Johnston 10-9 .526
6 Reed 12-12 .500
totals: 75-54 .581

ARMSTRONG
1 Kocemba 13-10 .565
2 Rosebrock 8-17 .320
3 #15 8-16 .333
4 Larson 7-8 .467
5 Callanan 9-12 .429
6 Sather 9-12 .429
totals: 54-75 .419

Next up: tomorrow morning

September 24 polls

#3 posting 9.24.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news 7 information

Top 10 Poll—Sep 24, 2007
As expected Shakopee took first in this weeks poll with their 2-1 victory over Lakeville North in the Apple Valley tournament. Chaska dropped five spots to 8th. Burnsville jumped to 6th. They were unranked last week.
In AA Pipestone moved to 4th and Marshall fell to 5th with the Arrows win on Thursday. Hibbing also fell three spots to 7th.
In A Wabasha-Kellogg fell five spots to 9th.

AAA
1. Shakopee (20) 328
2. Lakeville North (2) 296
3. Eagan 282
4. Eden Prairie 246
5. Andover 199
6. Owatonna 164
Burnsville 164
8. Chaska 145
9. Eastview 133
10. Blaine 106
Others: St. Michael/Albertville (93), Forest Lake (54), Waconia (33), Wayzata (28), Totino Grace (20), Hill-Murray (18), Alexandria (15), Faribault (15)

AA
1. Jordan (10) 150
2. Dilworth/Glyndon/Felton 139
3. St. Cloud Cathedral 117
4. Pipestone Area 112
5. Marshall 102
6. Stewartville 101
7. Hibbing 94
8. Belle Plaine 80
9. Jackson County Central 77
10. LeSueur/Henderson 26
Others receiving votes: Rocori (20), Delano (19)

A
1. Windom (13) 209
2. Bethlehem Academy (1) 191
3. Minneota 187
4. Renville County West 164
5. Mayer Lutheran 128
6. Ada-Borup 106
7. Mabel-Canton 99
8. Belgrade/Brooten/Elrosa 97
9. Wabasha-Kellogg 93
10. Meadow Creek Christian 46
Tracy-Milroy 46
Others: Goodhue (30), SW Christian-Chaska (16), Northern (14), Lake of the Woods (11)

LATE WEEKEND RESULTS
Austin split in the Rochester JM tournament. From the Rochester Post Bulletin.

Mayo swept Century in a Rochester regular season Big 9 battle on Saturday. From the Rochester Post Bulletin.

thanks to the readers for the help.

next up: later tonight with an out & about

Ohio State Back on Track

#2 posting 9.24.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

SUNDAY RESULTS
#23 Ohio State bounced back with a sweep over Michigan State. OSU snapped a three game losing streak.

Marquette won their Big East opener with a sweep over Rutgers.

Providence split their games at the Sacred Heart Invitational. Sarah Fleming (Cretin-Derham Hall) had 14 kills against Sacred Heart and 10 against St. Francis.

LATE SATURDAY
St. Olaf now has their information up on their 3-1 win over St. Catherine. Kim Smisek (Northfield) had 22 kills for St. O.

Thanks to the readers for the help. If you have news, go to my profile and email me.

next up: later today.

A Look Back and Forward

#1 posting 9.24.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

LATE TOURNAMENT RESULTS
As you may have already heard #2 Shakopee upended #1 Lakeville North in the championship at Apple Valley. From the Shakopee Valley News.
Marshall finished 2-2 and the Tigers weekend is reviewed in the Marshall Independent.

PHOTOS
I have added photos to ALL Saturday games except the Shakopee vs Lakeville North game. That should happen later this morning.

GAMES OF NOTE THIS WEEK
Monday, Sept. 24
St. Francis at Andover
Tuesday, Sept 25
Lakeville North at Apple Valley
Wabasha-Kellogg at Bethlehem Academy
St. Michael-Albertville at Blaine
Eagan at Eastview
Jordan at LeSueur-Henderson
Alexandria at Rocori
Sleepy Eye St. Mary's at Minnesota Valley Lutheran
Thursday, Sept 27
Champlin Park at Andover
Montgomery-Lonsdale at Belle Plaine
Apple Valley at Eastview
Stewartville at Goodhue
Eden Prairie at Lakeville North
Bemidji at Moorhead
Jackson County Central at Pipestone
Saturday, Sept 29
Blaine tournament
Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa Tournament
Duluth East tournament

Thanks to the readers for the help. if you have news, go to my profile and email me.

next up: college reports

Out & About: Minnesota/Indiana

#5 posting 9.23.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

MINNESOTA gophers 3, INDIANA hoosiers 0
(32-30, 30-16, 30-21)

The Minnesota Gophers survived the first game, made some adjustments for game two, and then finished the sweep at home this afternoon. Indiana had just come off a five game win after losing the first two games against Iowa.

Indiana led early in game one 7-3 when Minnesota erupted for nine straight points, 8 on Christine Tan's serve. Two factors were emerging the brick wall blocking game for the Gophers with the first three points on Tan's serve on the block, and the first point in the run... a missed serve. In fact in the first five Indiana servers, four sided out for the Gophers with missed serves. Minnesota led 22-17 when resilient Indiana put together a 9-2 run to tie the game. Minnesota took a time out at 24-23, but Indiana kept up for one more point. Indiana led 27-26 on a side out kill. The Gophers edged forward 29-28 with a kill by Rachelle Hagerty and Rachel Hartmann. That forced a time out by Indiana. The Hoosiers got the side out and then was on the verge at 30-29 when Coach Hebert had to talk it over. That also turned the trick with a side out kill be Dieter. She then served out the next two points with two kills by Lauren Gibbemeyer.

Minnesota adjusted their rotation in game two with Hailey Cowles leading off the serving parade. Cowles was #4 in the first game. Again Minnesota had a huge run. This time it was Gibbemeyer doing the honors with 9 straight points. Again it started with a missed Indiana serve. Jessy Jones went to town with four points in the 10-0 run, three on blocks. Cowles also contributed a run of her own with six service points. Again it started with a missed Indiana serve. That put the game at 25-11 Minnesota. Appropriately enough this game ended on a missed Indiana serve. To show the quickness of this game only 10 servers came to the line. There were 18 and 16 in games two and three.

The huge runs were limited to four points in game three for Minnesota, and they only mustered three. But Jones was a constant in the runs. She had three straight points again on Gibbemeyer's serve to put Minnesota in the driver's chair 9-3. Jones had two points on Cowles serve later on and the Gophers were on their way with a 14-6 lead. Indiana got the time out and that stopped the run. Minnesota had five straight first ball side outs to start the game. That was the best string in game three. Indiana took another time out at 26-18. But it was a little too late to stem the tide. Minnesota ended the game with three straight points.

photos: #1 Dieter with an attack; #2 Gibbemeyer with a kill on a slide. you can see the ball has dropped down the Indiana side of the net. photos by kja

MINNESOTA
1. Brooke Dieter, OH 1-1-9----11
2. Lauren Gibbemeyer, MH 1-0/2-8----10
2. Kelly Fallon, DS (g3) 0-0-0----0
3. Rachel Hartmann, S 0-0/3-3---4.5
4. Hailey Cowles, DS 1-0-2----3
4fr Kayla Roehrig, OH 0-3/2-8----21
4 Katie Vatterodt, OH (g3) 0-0/2-0----1
5 Christine Tan, L 0-0-0----0
5fr Jessy Jones, MH 0-2/7-9----14.5
5fr Kelly Schmidt, MH 0-0-1----1
6 Kelly Roysland, DS 0-0-1-----1
6fr Rachelle Hagerty, RH 0-0/2-6---7
totals: 3-6/18-47----65 points, 27 points on Indiana errors

INDIANA
1. Mara Hilgenberg, S 0-0-3----3
2 Erica Short, OH 0-1/1-10----11.5
2br Morgan Miller, BR 0-0-0---0
3 Taylor Wittmer, MH 1-0/2-4---6
4 Lauren Ditteon, RH 0-0/1-7---7.5
5 Kelsey Hall, OH 1-0/1-12---13.5
6 Juli Pierce, L 0-1/1-8---9.5
6fr Ashley Benson, MH 0-1/1-8---9.5
totals: 3-2/6-44----52 points, 15 points on Minnesota errors

TRENCH PLAYER

Jessy Jones

BY THE NUMBERS
team, fbso/att; fbso%; points, %earned; %allowed
Minnesota 26/44; .591; 92; .707; .224
Indiana 24/44; .545; 67; .776; .293
3+ runs: Minnesota 9, Indiana 7
Missed serves: Indiana 14, Minnesota 5
The missed serves proved fatal to Indiana in game one.

ROTATIONS
MINNESOTA
1 Dieter 15-13 .536
2 Gibbemeyer 21-11 .656
3 Hartmann 6-11 .353
4 Cowles 21-7 .750
5 Tan 20-9 .690
6 Roysland 9-16 .360
totals: 92-67 .579

Minnesota started with Dieter on the defensive end in the first game (Indiana had first serve). In game two Cowles served first and in the third game, rotation four played defense first.

INDIANA
1 Hilgenberg 11-16 .407
2 Short/Miller 12-9 .571
3 Wittmer 13-12 .520
4 Ditteon 10-26 .278
5 Hall 8-17 .320
6 Pierce 13-12 .520
totals: 67-92 .421

Next up: tomorrow morning

St. Thomas, Concordia Moorhead Win

#4 posting 9.23.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

D3 ACTION
MIAC
St. Olaf beat St. Catherine's in four.

#6 St. Thomas swept Carleton. It was Carleton's first loss of the year.

#11 Concordia Moorhead swept by Macalester. It was Mac's fifth straight loss.

Hamline split their games at the Gustavus Triangular. Tasha Simmons (Eagan) had 23 kills in the win against Buena Vista, and 24 against Northwestern, MN.

Gustavus swept both their games against BV and NW. They have now won five in a row.

St. Mary's beat Bethany Lutheran and Coe in the Decorah tournament.

Thanks to the readers for your help. If you have news go to my profile and email me.

next up: later today after the Gopher/Indiana game

SW MN State Snaps Concordia's 69 Win Streak

#3 posting 9.23.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

D2
NORTH CENTRAL
#18 UN Omaha beat St. Cloud State in four. Nicole McLeod (Thedford, NE) had a career best 19 kills for UNO.

NORTHERN SUN
#6 SW MN State knocked off #4 Concordia St. Paul in five. The final game was 17-15. That snapped a 69 game Northern Sun win streak for CSP. Erin Contons (Apple Valley) had 19 kills for SW; while Maria Steinhagen (Alexandria) matched the total for CSP.

UM Crookston upended Winona State in five. Katie Bonine (Park-Cottage Grove) had 24 kills for UMC.

MSU Moorhead defeated Wayne State in four. Megan Norling (Armstrong) had 25 kills for Moorhead.

Northern State swept Mary. The win snapped a three game losing streak for NSU.

Bemidji State outlasted Upper Iowa in five. It was BSU's first five game win of the year. Nicole Olson (Lake of the Woods) had 18 kills for BSU.

Thanks to the readers for the help. If you have news, go to my profile and email me.

Next up: d3 action

Wisconsin Wins Top 10 Showdown

#2 posting 9.23.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

BIG 10
Purdue bounced back from their loss to Minnesota on Friday with a sweeping of Iowa.

Penn State continued to roll with a sweep of Northwestern. The first game was a nail biter at 31-29, but after that PSU showed why they are #3 in the nation.

#9 Wisconsin swept #10 Michigan. It was the Wolverines first set back of the year.

SUMMIT LEAGE
IPFW hand North Dakota State a 3-1 loss. Kelly Lopez (DGF) had 17 kills for the Bison

South Dakota State won their 11th straight in a rally filled fiver with IUPUI. Samantha Pearson (Chaska) had a career high 37 digs.

OTHER D1 ACTION
Stony Brook won the Brown Invitational. Stony Brook has now won seven in a row. Alicia Nelson (Eastview) had four kills and an ace against Central Connecticut State.

Northern Iowa beat Drake for the 22nd straight time. Amy Sampson (Champlin Park) had 9 kills for UNI.

#19 Ohio broomed Akron. Amanda Andersen (Centennial) had 8 kills for Ohio.

Thanks to the readers for the help. If you have news, go to my profile and email me.

next up: D2/D3 action

Tournament Recaps

#1 posting 9.23.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

TOURNAMENT WRAPS
Apple Valley
#2 Shakopee's win over #1 Lakeville North is featured in the StarTribune.

Burnsville was 3-1 and finished in 9th place. Their only loss was to eventual champion Shakopee. Here is the Savage Pacer.

I was zonked late last night and will get the photos up from the AV tournament later.

Decorah, IA
Mabel-Canton and Caledonia tied for 2nd in Decorah, IA, plus other area tournament results in the Winona Daily News.

Sibley East
GFW finished in 3rd. From the New Ulm Journal.

Becker, Richfield
The St. Cloud Times has area coverage including Becker and Richfield tournament action.

LATE RESULTS
AAA
Prior Lake beat Red Wing on Thursday the 13th, plus the Lakers Farmington tournament showing on the 15th. From the Prior Lake American.

AA
NRHEG swept Randolph in Gopher action. From the Albert Lea Tribune.

TOURNAMENT WINNERS
APPLE VALLEY: Shakopee
ASHBY:
BAGLEY: East Grand Forks
BARNUM:
BECKER: Champlin Park
DECORAH, IA: Wapsie Valley, IA
HILL CITY:
RICHFIELD: Prior Lake
ROCHESTER JM:
SIBLEY EAST:
THIEF RIVER FALLS: Northern
TRUMAN: United South Central
ULEN-HITTERDAL: West Central
UNITY CHRISTIAN:
WABASHA-KELLOGG: Wabasha-Kellogg

Thanks to the readers for the help. If you have news, go to my profile and email me.

Next up: College reports

Out & About: Shakopee/Lakeville North

#9 posting 9.22.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

APPLE VALLEY TOURNAMENT
Championship
SHAKOPEE sabers 2, LAKEVILLE NORTH panthers 1
(23-25, 25-23, 15-12)

In a true heavyweight battle #2 Shakopee topped #1 Lakeville North in three. LN rallied from a 17-15 deficit to go ahead 22-20 in game one. Shakopee took the punch and had a counter. They tied it at 23 on an overpass kill by Mariah Monnens. LN took a break and when they returned outside hitter Amy Braun put down two kills. She had six kills in the first game.

It was side out heaven in game two with 10 straight side outs. The first points scored on a serve----a rotation error on LN. The game then morphed into a sequence of five straight rotations with runs of three. That propelled Shakopee to a 17-14 lead. Lakeville North answered the challenge with a 6-3 run to tie the game. Maggie Geske helped lift Shakopee to a 23-20 margin forcing LN to call a time out at 22-20. LN had one last run, but other than the side out kill by Kelsey Brandl, the points were on Shakopee errors. After the Panthers tied the game at 23 Shakopee took a time out. Wittman got the vital side out and then powered it down on Mollie Geske's serve.

In the first five servers in the third game Shakopee was able to get the fbso 4/5 times, LN 1/5 times. That proved to be the difference maker. There was only one run in game three with Shakopee getting two points off LN errors. LN took the a time out at 9-5. Shakopee didn't hesitate to call a time out at 10-6 after a hitting error. It didn't work out Shakopee's way with another hitting error and LN was off the mat ready to challenge. The game moved into side out mode for the next seven servers. That wasn't helping LN's cause as Shakopee moved to the verge at 14-10. Braun nailed two kills to make it 14-12. Shakopee had to talk about it and the break may have iced Ellen Fox who served it deep for the final point. The FBSO difference in game three--Shakopee 7/10 .700; LN 5/9 .556.

photos: #1 Ashley Wittman goes up for an attack. Wittman had 21 kills. #2 Jessica Menden and Elizabeth Benusa share a dig. photos by kja

SHAKOPEE
1. Jessica Menden, S 0-0-2----2
2. Maggie Geske, OH 0-0.5-11--11.5
3. Mollie Geske, L 1-0-0----1
3fr Jean Theis, MH 0-0-0---0
4. Elizabeth Benusa, RH 1-0-7---8
5. Ashley Wittman, OH 0-0-21----21
6. Mariah Monnens, MH 0-1.5-1---2.5
totals: 2-2-42----46 points; 17 points on Lakeville North errors

LAKEVILLE NORTH
1. Taylor Fieldsted, L 0-0-0----0
1fr Brook Lewko, MH 0-0.5-8---8.5
2 Lindsey Weaver, DS 0-0-0----0
2fr Kristina Hanf, RH 0-0-1----1
3. Kayla Kirby, DS 0-0-0----0
3fr Kristen Zeise, OH 0-0-1---1
4. Kelsey Brandl, MH 0-1-13----14
4 Ellen Fox, Server (g2, 3) 0-0-0-----0
5 Leah Johnson, S 0-0-1----1
6. Amy Braun, OH 1-0.5-14----15.5
totals: 1-2-38----41 points, 19 points on Shakopee errors

TRENCH PLAYER
Jessica Menden. She is what I call a Mary Tyler Moore player. She took nothing plays and suddenly made it seem all worthwhile.

BY THE NUMBERS
Shakopee 23/40; .575; 63; .730; .317
Lakeville North 21/39; .538; 60; .683; .270
3+ runs: Shakopee 6, Lakeville North 5
missed serves: Shakopee 3, Lakeville North 3

ROTATIONS
SHAKOPEE
1 Menden 12-12 .500
2. Ma. Geske 14-12 .538
3. Mo. Geske 12-12 .500
4. Benusa 10-8 .556
5. Wittman 7-8 .467
6. Monnens 8-8 .500
totals: 63-60 .512

LAKEVILLE NORTH
1. Fieldsted 11-11 .500
2. Weaver 12-14 .462
3. Kirby 11-14 .440
4. Brandl/Fox 10-11 .476
5. Johnson 8-7 .533
6. Braun 8-6 .571
totals: 60-63 .488

I saw both teams earlier in the week on Monday and Tuesday. A good crowd to watch 1 vs 2.

next up: tomorrow morning