PREP VOLLEYBALL: Minneota uses strong offense to sweep CMCS
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MINNEOTA – The Minneota volleyball team wanted to continue its hot start to the season when it took to the floor against Central Minnesota Christian Schools on Tuesday. Key runs and a powerful offensive attack were on full display for the Vikings, as they stayed undefeated in the early parts of the season with a 3-0 (25-10, 25-8, 25-5) win over the Bluejays.
Coming off the win, Minneota coach Hayley Fruin was happy with the way the team played and how well they worked together to come out with another win.
"We did a great job, we were able to get some younger kids in and everybody kind of helps everyone out," said Fruin. "I thought we were consistent from the first set to the third set and we served really well."
The Vikings got the first set off to a fast start, taking a quick 2-0 lead before going up 4-0 in the early stages of the opening frame. The Bluejays fought back and were able to tie things up at 5-5, but the Vikings took command of the frame from there.
With possession back in its side of the court, Minneota caught fire from the offensive attack, going on a 18-0 run which ended when the Bluejays finally found their opportunity to score, with the Vikings holding a 23-6 lead. Minneota held its own for the rest of the set, coming out with the first win of the night with a final score of 25-10.
The Vikings had high hopes going into Set 2 as they started it off with another 2-0 lead. Lizzy Gillingham was a big asset to Minneota's offensive efforts that carried them to an 11-4 lead. The Vikings then went on a nine-point run but never allowed the Bluejays to take over. Minneota showed a lot of strengths on the court that overrode CMCS's weaknesses and helped carry the Vikings to another set win with a final score of 25-8.
With Minneota only needing one more set win to cap off the sweep of the Bluejays, the Vikings jumped out to another strong start, building a 3-0 lead early in the final set. Minneota then went on another huge spurt, this time a 15-point run before CMCS broke it up with a point but still trailed the Vikings, 21-3. Lydia Sussner's height became an advantage for the Vikings not only in the third set but throughout the whole game, which helped Minneota come out with a big third set win at 25-5.
Going into the next game and having a big week ahead of them, Fruin wants the girls to stay focused this week to continue their success.
"Keep getting better every single day and we still have to work hard," said Fruin. "We have a big week this week, we have a tournament this weekend. We have to keep working with our setter and continue to get better."
Sussner led the Vikings in kills with 10 and also led in blocks with four while Gillingham added eight more kills. Morgan Kockelman led in assists with a total of 27 and Abby Hennen led in digs with 14.
The Vikings go into their next game with a 3-0 record and will be on the road Thursday to play Yellow Medicine East at 7:15 p.m.
Minneota 3, CMCS 0
CMCS 10 8 5
Minneota 25 25 25
SERVING: Minneota (M. Hennen 23-23-1; Gillingham 21-21-2; A. Hennen 17-17-2).
KILLS: Minneota (Sussner 10; Gillingham 8; Rolbiecki 5; M. Hennen 3).
SET ASSISTS: Minneota (Kockelman 27).
BLOCKS: Minneota (Sussner 4; Larson 1).
DIGS: Minneota (A. Hennen 14; M. Hennen, Rolbiecki 7; Gillingham 6).