MARSHALL - The Marshall High volleyball team got off on the right foot at the 32-team Southwest Challenge Tournament Friday night.
The Tigers blew past Lincoln HI in the first round with a 2-0 win and then earned a 2-0 win over Hutchinson in the second round.
MHS now takes on Owatonna at 10:45 a.m. today in a quarterfinal match. Owatonna edged Woodbury to advance to the quarters.
Against Hutchinson, Marshall won 25-16 and 25-20. In the second game, Hutchinson gave MHS some problems and was within 19-18 at one point.
But a 6-2 run ended it in favor of Marshall. A kill from junior outside hitter Kayla Wallerich made it 24-20 and then a kill from junior outside hitter Rachel Westby ended it at 25-20.
"I thought Hutchinson was blocking really well in the second game," MHS head coach Dan Westby said. "They were certainly ready for us there. They're a good team with a number of kids back. It was good for our kids to see that."
Wallerich said serving and passing was the key to downing Hutch.
"We passed well and decided to keep the pressure on them. We played under control, which we have for most of the season so far," she said.
Marshall's biggest lead of the second game came at 18-10 following a kill from junior middle hitter Tina Tauer.
Marshall had a strong service game, led by Wallerich, who went 11-of-14 with three aces. Karli Vandeputte went 9-of-9 with an ace and Kelsey Deragisch went 9-of-9 with two aces.
"Our kids did a nice job of serving to spots," Westby said. "They put a lot of pressure on Hutchinson by doing that."
Dani Beekman led the Tigers in kills against Hutchinson with seven, Wallerich had four kills and nine set assists, Rachel Westby had six kills and six digs and Shay Birath had 15 digs and went 6-of-6 serving. In the match against Lincoln HI, the Tigers got all 16 players on their roster into the match. The Tigers won the match 25-7 and 25-13.
"We focused on working on the little things," Westby said of his team's first match. "Lincoln HI is a group that's trying to get better and move forward. Any time you play a team like that, you still have to perform. We just wanted to come out, pass well and serve it. I thought our kids did that."
The Tigers were coming off a 3-2 win over Class A No. 2 Windom Area on Thursday. Despite that marathon, Wallerich didn't think the Tigers were tired Friday.
"I thought we didn't let Thursday affect us Friday," she said. "It helps when you're at home. Our schedule seems like it's tough to begin with every year. We're dealing with it pretty well so far."
Said Westby: "I thought our kids had as much energy as they've had all year. I think they were just excited to be at home. We didn't give up on any balls."
Still looming for the Tigers is Southwest Challenge rival Lakeville North. The Class AAA school defeated the Tigers in the championship match last season.
Wallerich and Westby both feel like the Tigers have a shot against North.
"We have a chance. They're always a big rival for us at this. We have to find their big hitters and block them," Wallerich said.
Westby was more concerned about taking one match at a time.
"Each match you play in this tournament is difficult," he said. "It's very competitive. Lakeville North is obviously a good team. But so is St. Michael-Albertville and Hibbing. Who knows what might happen?"
First Match
Lincoln HI7 13
Marshall25 25
Marshall Statistics
Serving (good-att-aces): Kayla Wallerich 8-8-2, Taylor Simpson 6-6-5, Kelsey Deragisch 6-6-2.
Kills: Rachel Westby 5, Dani Beekman 4, Hope Weilage 3, Tina Tauer 3.
Digs: Shay Birath 2.
Blocks: Amy Full 4.
Set Assists: Wallerich 10, Deragisch 6.
Second Match
Hutchinson16 20
Serving (good-att-aces): Vandeputte 9-9-1, Deragisch 9-9-2, Wallerich 11-14-3, Westby 6-9-0, Birath 6-6-0, Weilage 5-5-1.
Kills: Wallerich 4, Westby 6, Beekman 7, Weilage 4.
Digs: Birath 15, Westby 6.
Blocks: Danielle Gladis 2.
Set Assists: Wallerich 9, Deragisch 4.
