Small Town Volleyball Showdown – Section 2AA
On Thursday night, a showdown between #4 Minnesota Valley Lutheran and #5 Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial in Section 2AA. It was a tight match through the first two sets, with both teams serve receiving exceptionally well. LCWM struggled to swing…
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Continue ReadingOn Thursday night, a showdown between #4 Minnesota Valley Lutheran and #5 Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial in Section 2AA. It was a tight match through the first two sets, with both teams serve receiving exceptionally well. LCWM struggled to swing around MVL’s massive block. In the 3rd set MVL proved to be the more dominant team. MVL established their middles early and their outsides mixed up their shots keeping LCWM guessing where they were going to go next. MVL was lead by a strong group of senior leaders including setters Kaylee Hunter and Samantha Dalueg, outside Abigail Riederer, and middle Ella Schlei. MVL took the match 3-0, after the match I spoke with MVL coach Amy Pearson and she stated that this match was some of their best volleyball, a great time of the year to start getting hot.
Players of the Game:
Ella Schlei: Middle – Senior, Minnesota Valley Lutheran:
Schlei lead the team with 5 blocks and 8 kills. She was very dominant in the middle and is definitely a go to for the setters. She sees the block well and adjusts to the set very well. Her strength is definitely getting up for tight balls and out muscling the opponent.
Abigail Riederer: Outside – Senior, Minnesota Valley Lutheran:
Riederer has a strong swing from the pin. She had 7 kills but also was a huge asset for the Chargers defensively. As a 6 rotation outside her defense in the back kept plays alive and she served strong. She also was able to cover her own hits and getting her and her teammates multiple swings on the ball.
Kaylee Hunter: Setter/Opposite – Senior, Minnesota Valley Lutheran:
Hunter has a strong court presence as a setter, her defense and ability to get tight balls out of the net for her hitters allows them to be successful. She had 5 hitters with 5 or more kills, so her ability to spread the ball added for the success of the team on Thursday. Hunter also added 5 kills and 1 block, proving to be a huge leader and threat for the Chargers.
Gabbie Bleick: Outside – Sophomore, Minnesota Valley Lutheran:
Bleick did not show her age as soon as she stepped on the floor. Her confidence in serve receive and her swing was evident within the first few points. Bleick tied Schlei with 8 kills on the night, which lead the Chargers on Thursday night. She was constantly moving while on the floor and while playing 6 rotations she played outstanding defense picking up a lot of balls.
Ava Munsen: Middle – Sophomore, Minnesota Valley Lutheran:
Munsen, just a sophomore, contributed 5 kills and 2 blocks to the Chargers win. She was engaged and active all across the net during the course of the match. After seeing her in the summer to now she has improved so much and will continue to grow. Her decision making improved during the match and with just a few weeks until sections start I expect to see even more improvements.