Bethlehem Academy Volleyball Defeats Medford in Opener

The Faribault Bethlehem Academy Cardinals overcame a first set thumping to defeat Medford 3-1 on the road Saturday night. Medford dominated the first set 25-12. The Cardinals then scored 26-24, 25-23, 25-18 wins in the season opener for both teams.

Medford had set point in the second set after BA led most of the way but couldn't finish. The Tigers rolled in the first set in part because of 9 unforced errors by the visitors. In the second set Medford had 8 errors. In the third the Cardinals won despite 8 miscues to the Tigers 4. In the final set Medford had 10 mistakes.

There were a number of outstanding plays on both sides of the net the sparse crowd by design got to witness.

Our Malecha's Auto Body of Faribault Cardinal Players of the Match were senior Kennedy Tutak, sophomores Kate Trump and Reagan Kangas.

I thought the difference in the match was BA's ability to attack from different areas on the court. Much of the credit goes to the setter Kangas who was able to distribute to those different attackers. Of course that doesn't happen without good passing. Kangas also scored 5 kills, 4 of them on what are called dumps when the setter acts like she is going to set the ball and then sets it over the net unexpectedly.

The Cardinals passing improved immensely from the first set and the opposite happened for Medford.

My unofficial statistics had 10 kills for Trump. She uses her athleticism to vary her attack from impressive hammer spikes to simple touches to a hole on the other side. Tutak has always been a good blocker but contributed mightily on offense also with 10 kills.

Junior back row player Mia Potter served 5 aces. Senior libero Brianna Radatz was steady. Junior hitter Ellie Cohen had double digit kills and sophomore Lindsay Hanson hit her stride in the final set with 5 kills and a couple of solo blocks.

Bethlehem Academy hosts Hayfield Tuesday before going to Waterville-Elysian-Morristown Thursday for a match scheduled to be broadcast on KDHL.

In another area volleyball match Saturday Goodhue swept Kenyon-Wanamingo in the Wildcats gym 25-22, 25-19, 25-9. The Knights start the season 0-2, will host Cannon Falls (2-0) on KDHL Tuesday evening. Coverage beginning about 7:00 p.m. if the varsity match is on time.

Kenyon-Wanamingo had 21 total kills, 19 hitting errors in the match. 27 digs, 35 dig errors. The Knights were 82% on their serves with no aces, 10 errors. Serve reception had 28 errors.

Sophomore Tessa Erlandson led the way with 8 kills and 8 digs. Stella Rechtzigel achieved 3 ace blocks. Sophomore Josi Quam doled out 25 assists. Junior Leah Berg was efficient on the attack with a .357 hitting percentage including 7 kills.

Concordia Academy swept Kasson-Mantorville in Roseville, 25-20, 28-26, 25-17. The 0-2 Komets travel to 2-0 Triton Tuesday. The Cobras swept Zumbrota-Mazeppa 25-19, 25-20, 25-17

Cannon Falls hosted Pine Island and swept the Panthers 25-15, 25-8, 25-23.

Stewartville downed Lake City 25-12, 25-15, 25-22 in the Lake Pepin city.

Byron swept Rochester Lourdes 25-11, 25-6, 25-14 while connecting for a .297 team hitting percentage.

In the Big Nine the Faribault Falcons got in the win column with a sweep of Albert Lea in an afternoon match at Nomeland Gym.

Northfield rolled over Mankato East 25-14, 25-11, 25-14.

Rochester Century dominated Owatonna 25-16, 25-15, 25-12.

Mankato West swept Winona 25-10, 25-23, 25-13.

Red Wing defeated Austin 25-14, 26-24, 25-15.

Other volleyball results from Saturday include:

Lewiston-Altura 3 St. Charles 1

Marshall 3 Waseca 0

Belle Plaine 3 Sibley East 0