The longer you climb in the post-season tournament, the more likely you'll run into the proverbial buzz saw. The surprising Minnewaska Area Lakers of volleyball ran into just such a force Saturday. The Lakers had vanquished higher seeds to get there.
Saturday was the time for determining the overall Section 3AA winner. 'Waska owned the crown out of the North. And, coming out of the South? It was a team that could earn the "buzz saw" description. The Marshall Tigers didn't have to leave town for this one. The site was Southwest Minnesota State University.
The Lakers seemed an unlikely crew to be vying at such a high level - they were dealt defeat ten times in the regular season. But the post-season saw them defeat the top three seeds in sub-section. They swept top seed New London-Spicer to complete the sub-section climb. Not only did 'Waska win the three matches, they did so in sweep form the whole way - incredible. Perhaps they had shed any underdog mantle by the time Saturday arrived. Surely they knew they were up against a vaunted force in the Tigers.
Marshall took second in state last year. The Tigers picked up where they left off this season, earning the top seed in the South, plus they had quite a skein of success going into Saturday: 15 wins in 16 matches. Their momentum was not to be denied when 3AA was at stake. The Tigers were able to blunt the Lakers' Cinderella designs. This time it was Marshall doing the sweeping, scores of 25-20, 25-15 and 25-19.
So Marshall owns the Section 3AA crown. Further conquests await. Marshall is making its third straight trip to the big dance of state. They are a familiar presence at that level.
Minnewaska Area tucks away memories of a blessed campaign. The No. 6 seed can't expect a very long duration for their post-season, typically. But the Lakers emerged an atypical team, jelling when it counted most. Momentum is so important in volleyball. Minnewaska had the ingredients to propel forward in 3AA-North.
'Waska showed promise at the very start Saturday: a 3-0 lead in game 1. As the game developed, 'Waska showed an all-out effort with saves that kept optimism brimming. The saves set up Ellie Danielson to deliver the ball back at the Tigers from behind the back line. Danielson's forte is as middle hitter. The Lakers assumed a 10-9 lead. Minnewaska fans rose to deliver a loud acclamation.
But the superior play could not be sustained well enough, not against a team the caliber of Marshall. Nevertheless the Lakers kept up the pressure. The score stood 19-19 late in game 1. Marshall then bore down to complete their business. Marshall had to deal with a strong blocking department by the Lakers. Key in this department were Avery Hoeper, Danielson, Sara Geiser and Emma Thorfinnson.
Game 2 like game 1 saw the Lakers make a strong bid. They were up 8-7 when Marshall turned on the jets. Then, Game 3. It had a contested air with the score standing 12-11 and 'Waska trailing. Marshall enjoyed a surge and 'Waska then answered with Thorfinnson's authoritative hits.
The score stood 21-19 when Marshall punched the accelerator and made the decision final.
Coach Johnson described the night's victor as a "benchmark team." Her Lakers can savor being runner-up in 3AA. If you don't like thinking in terms of runner-up, there's the No. 1 North trophy!
Turning to stats, we see Grace Bartels with a serving ace. Geiser's setting work netted her 20 assists while Hoeper had one. Danielson was a force in hitting as she typically is, on this night with 14 kills. Thorfinnson had five, Alexis Piekarski three and Hoeper two.
Hoeper picked up three ace blocks while Thorfinnson had 2 1/2. These Lakers also picked up blocking stats: Danielson, Geiser, MaKena Pinizke and Piekarski. Here are the digging numbers: Hoeper 14, Thorfinnson 13, Danielson 10, Geiser 10 and Panizke 6.
Let's laud the Marshall Tigers on their stellar play and well-deserved No. 1 hardware. The fans in their own back yard had lots to celebrate. Success was on the home court of the Southwest MN State Mustangs. (I'll always say "SSU Mustangs.")
Jordyn Hilgemann had two serving aces for the victor. Kaitlyn Timm, Mia Schnaible and Logan Sherman each had one. Marshall had two primary setters: Rachel Schwarz with 22 assists and Sherman with 16. Hilgemann led the Tigers' charge in kills with 14. Paige Andries was right behind with 13.
Three Tigers each had one ace block: Sherman, Emily Meier and Bria Morris. The digs department saw Schnaible stand out with 24.
Marshall has confused yours truly in the past when they come to Morris for cross country and their uniforms blend in with our MACA Tigers. Orange and black of course. It was challenging trying to take pictures. But Marshall has a heckuva volleyball team. Well, so does Minnewaska Area.
Yours truly has a connection with 'Waska in that my late father was a 1934 graduate of Glenwood High School.
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| Minnewaska's Alexis Piekarski, image from "Hudl." |
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