It's the first time the Cardinals have not made the championship match when they've been at the State Volleyball Tournament. In 12 previous trips 5 runner-up trophies and 7 state titles.
The Maple Lake Irish had wins of 25-19, 25-19, 25-22 and Head Coach Marty Kiebel smiled a few times because there were some long points. I'm sure he was happy to see his team challenged a bit in the quarterfinals of the State Tournament but man did they come out of the gate strong.
The Cardinals captured the first set 25-17 and the second set 25-11 before the Tigers won the third set 27-25 and Bethlehem Academy sealed the victory with a 25-20 fourth set win.
The defending State Champion Irish are blessed with height and athleticism and six of their top eight players are seniors. Their starters all have 100 kills or better this season.
Faribault started the match with a 3-0 run and led 5-3 in the first set before Northfield freshman libero Emma Torstenson served over 15 consecutive points and that seemed to set the tone for the contest.
Faribault Bethlehem Academy jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the first set but Lakeville North got their passing game going in a 25-17, 25-12, 25-14 Panther sweep of the Cardinals in Faribault.
New Prague won the first set 25-15 and the fourth set 25-20 and Faribault captured sets two and three by identical 25-21 scores before winning the fifth set 15-13.
The Kenyon Wanamingo Knights Volleyball team came back on Saturday after a tough 5 set loss to Concordia Academy Roseville, to defeat the Kasson-Mantorville Komets and win the Class AA 3rd place title. 26-28, 25-23, 25-14.
Peyton Suess had 13 kills to lead the Komets and 14 digs, Mara Quam had 17 kills and 15 digs for the Knights...