Playoff Out & About: Shakopee/Chaska

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Next up: tomorrow morning

Out & About: Chaska/Lakeville North

#4 posting 9.19.2008
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

APPLE VALLEY EAGLE INVITATIONAL
Pool D final
CHASKA hawks 2, LAKEVILLE NORTH panthers 1
(25-22, 22-25, 15-11)

The #1 Chaska Hawks survived a nail biter with Lake rival and #4 Lakeville North 2-1.

In set one Lakeville North led 21-17 when Chaska burned their final time out. Just as in set two of the Owatonna/Marshall contest, Chaska finished with an 8-1 run. Bekah Saugen had three of the Hawk points in the run.

LN bounced back with an enormous 10 point string in set two to claim a 12-4 lead. LN led by as much as nine. Chaska roared back with a six point string to close to 17-14. The Hawks tied it up at 21. LN, behind the swing of Amy Braun, got the side out. The Panthers wrapped up set two with a 4-1 run.

LN used that momentum to grab an early 6-2 lead in set three. Chaska, with their raucous fans, scrapped back and took a 9-8 lead. A missed serve tied the game momentarily at nine. But LN missed their serve opportunity opening the door for a four point Hawk run. LN took a time out at 12-9, but Chaska added one more point before the side out. Braun added another kill to close to 13-11. After a Hawk time out Saugen put down a kill. The contest ended on a LN hitting error.

Amy Braun of Lakeville North had 16.5 points to lead both teams. Bekah Saugen had 9.5 points for Chaska.

You can see the entire Chaska vs Lakeville North photo gallery at kevinanderson.photostockplus.com. Photos tonight by Teas.

rotation, player, (year) position, aces-blocks-kills---total points
CHASKA
1. Amanda Konetchy (2010) S 1-0-2----3
2. Makenzie Niesche (2009) L 0-0-0---0
3. Bekah Saugen (2010) OH 0-0.5-9----9.5
3br: Megan Kettler (2010) DS 0-0-0---0
4. Christine Bielski (2010) DS 0-0-0----0
4fr: Amanda Unze (2009) RS 0-0-9----9
5. Shelby Peterson (2010) OH 0-0-7----7
5br: Lynn Bielski (2010) DS 0-0-0---0
6. Maggie Finkel (2009) DS 0-0-0----0
6fr Ellen Degler (2010) OH 0-1.5-3---4.5
totals: 1-2-33---36 points, 26 points on LN errors

LAKEVILLE NORTH
1. Ellen Fox (2010) DS 0-0-0---0
1fr: Christina Hanf (2009) OH 0-0-2---2
2. Corinne Solheid (2009) DS 0-0-0----0
2fr: Jessica Speckman (2009) MH 0-0-3---3
3. Kellie McNeil (2011) OH 1-0-1----2
4. Amy Braun (2009) OH 0-1.5-15----16.5
5. Cassie Weaver (2010) DS 0-0-0----0
5fr: Brooke Lewko (2009) MH 0-1-4---5
6. Leah Johnson (2009) S 0-0.5-4---4.5
totals: 1-2-29---32 points; 26 points on Chaska errors

TRENCH PLAYER
Even in a loss Amy Braun.

BY THE NUMBERS
team, fbso/fbso attempts; fbso %; points, % earned; % allowed
Chaska 16/32--.500; 62 points, .581; .448
Lakeville North 16/32-.500; .552; .419
Runs 3+: Chaska 9, LN 4
Longest string: LN 10, Chaska 6
Missed Serves: LN 10, Chaska 10
Time Out %: Chaska 5/6-.833; LN 1/5-.200

ROTATIONS
CHASKA
1. Konetchy 13-10 .565
2. Niesche 13-9 .591
3. Saugen 7-16 .304
4. C Bielski 11-8 .579
5. Peterson 6-8 .429
6. Finkel 12-7 .632
totals: 62-58 .517

LAKEVILLE NORTH
1. Fox 10-18 .357
2. Solheid 8-5 .615
3. McNeil 17-11 .607
4. Braun 6-7 .462
5. Weaver 9-9 .500
6. Johnson 8-12 .400

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

BIGGEST LEAD
Team: 1 2 3
Chaska 3 2 4
L North 4 9 4

next up: tomorrow morning

Out & About: Lakeville North/Chaska

#4 posting 9.18.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

LAKEVILLE NORTH panthers 3, CHASKA hawks 0
(25-23, 25-22, 25-16)

The #1 team in AAA Lakeville North rallied for the first two wins on the road at #3 Chaska in a Lake conference battle. LN trailed 23-20 and 24-22 in game one, and 15-13 in game two before mounting comebacks.. LN took a measure of revenge as Chaska topped the Panthers in the AAA finals last year. Kelsey Brandl had 14 kills for LN, Chaska's Bekah Saugen led Chaska with 12.

The gym was packed with three bleacher sides down. The band was there and the Chaska student section was rocking in anticipation of the top level match. Both teams were feeling the adrenaline too as Chaska first jumped out to a 5-1 lead which forced LN to take a time out. Right after the break LN ran off their own five point run to make it 6-5 LN. The Panthers were able to squeeze a point per serve while holding Chaska to a 5/6 FBSO in the next six servers. LN led at this point 16-12. After a quick kill side out by Chaska's Amanda Unze, Brittany Wenzel delivered five straight service points, three on LN errors. That forced LN to burn their second time out at 18-16. LN edged back to retake the lead 20-19. Chaska's #14 picked up a side out kill and then Amanda Konetchy served up three points to put the Hawks up 23-20. LN got the side out on a kill by Amy Braun and then added another point on Braun's serve. #14 again delivered a crucial side out from the left side to make it 24-22 Chaska. Mental toughness is vital in situations like this and LN stepped up. Kirsten Zeise knocked down the side out kill and Taylor Fieldsted never gave the ball back. Kelsey Brandl had a kill and a block in the final three points.

Both teams still had high energy in game two. This was fairly even throughout. Chaska, again, held the advantage early with a 6-2 lead. LN responded, again, with a four point run to lead 8-7. Chaska came back with a 6-2 run on the next three service rotations to take a 13-10 lead. Three LN hitting errors helped. LN took the lead for good on Brandl's serve with a run of three service points. By now the LN sideout game had kicked in. They had five straight FBSO in this run. When Chaska got the ball back after a #14 kill, they missed their serve. LN added two more points and Chaska was forced to talk about it at 20-16 and again at 23-18. Saugen pulled Chaska into striking distance with three kills in a 4-1 run to make it 24-22 LN. Brandl finished the second game with a block.

The two emotional games took something out of Chaska. Lindsey Weaver ran off five straight service points to make it 6-1. The Hawks had to talk about it at 5-1. Brandl had three points in the run, plus Chaska handed one point over on rotation. LN's FBSO game was good for 6/7 in the next sequence putting them in a comfortable 22-9 position. Chaska could not get anything generated. They did rise up with six straight points on Wenzel's serve including two aces. LN stopped to talk at 22-12, but the Hawks added three after that. It was the third time in the evening rotation three had given up a run of three or more for LN. LN did regain their footing closing out with a 3-1 run with Amy Braun finishing the night with a kill.

photos: #1 Chaska's Bekah Saugen (17 white) with an attack against the Lakeville North block of Kelsey Brandl and Leah Johnson (1 & 3 Black); #2 it appears that LN's Amy Braun (10) and Chaska's #14 are doing an elaborate mid-air dance. photos by kja

LAKEVILLE NORTH
rotation, player, position, aces-blocks-kills----points
1. Taylor Fieldsted, L 0-0-0----0
1fr Brooke Lewko, MH 0-1-4---5
2. Lindsey Weaver, DS 0-0-0---0
2fr Christina Hanf, RH 0-0-1----1
3. Kayla Kirby, DS 2-0-0----2
3fr Kirsten Zeise, OH 0-0.5-2----2.5
4. Kelsey Brandl, MH 0-3.5-14---17.5
5. Leah Johnson, S 2-1-2----5
6. Amy Braun, OH 0-0-12----12
Totals: 3-6-35----44 points, 32 points on Chaska errors

CHASKA
1. Shelby Peterson, OH 0-0-0----0
1fr: #14 0-0-6----6
2. McKenzie Niesche, L 0-0-0----0
2fr Chelsie Stahl, MH 0-0-8----8
3. Brittany Wenzel, S 2-0-0----2
4. Bekah Saugen, OH 1-1-12----14
5. Amanda Konetchy, DS 0-0-0---0
5fr Amanda Unze, MH 0-3-7---10
6. Maggie Finkel, DS 0-0-0----0
6fr Toni Kaiser, RH 0-0-0----0
totals: 4-4-33----41 points, 21 points on Lakeville North errors

TRENCH PLAYER

Kelsey Brandl

BY THE NUMBERS
team, fbso/fbso chances; fbso%; points, % earned; % allowed
Lakeville North 22/36; .611; 76; .579; .339
Chaska 14/35; .400; 62; .661; .421
3+ Runs: Lakeville North 10, Chaska 5
missed serves: Chaska 5, LN 3
LN had a better FBSO game tonight and also limited their errors. LN had a rocky start and could have easily stubbed their toe in game one, but they found a way to win when the gym was rocking for Chaska. That gritty win calmed some of the atmosphere and again in the tight fight in game two. I don't have any numbers for individual defense, but both teams had strong efforts.

ROTATIONS
LAKEVILLE NORTH
1 Fieldsted 13-9 .591
2 Weaver 15-11 .577
3 Kirby 16-19 .457
4 Brandl 12-6 .667
5 Johnson 13-10 .565
6 Braun 7-7 .500
totals: 76-62 .551

CHASKA
1 Peterson/14 10-15 .400
2 Niesche 12-16 .429
3 Wenzel 17-10 .630
4 Saugen 8-13 .381
5 Konetchy 9-12 .421
6 Finkel 6-10 .375
totals: 62-76 .449

next up: tomorrow morning

Chaska and Lyle-Pacelli (Again)

#1 posting 8.21.2007
your daily dose of girls volleyball news & information

HIGH SCHOOL PREVIEWS
Lyle-Pacelli gets a second preview in the Rochester Post-Bulletin. I have already posted the Austin Daily Herald article.

The Chaska Herald looks at the AAA Poll with defending state champ Chaska #4.

Next up: collegiate previews