Morgan Hennen (left) strained to get a block against Medford. Abby Rost as also coming to help (right).

BIG SHOWDOWN: It goes to Vikings

•Minneota dispatches Medford in three straight sets.

It was ranked as a big showdown of Class A poers — Medford (ranked No. 2) against the defending state champ, No. 4-ranked Minneota.

To make it even more exciting, the two teams squared off for the state title one year ago — and Minneota won.

This time, for Minneota, it was no problem. They dispatched Medford in three straight sets, 25-15;25-15 and 25-18

For Minneota senior Morgan Hennen, it was not only a big game, but her, a chance to live up to her coaches prediction.

"Morgan will have a big game today," Coach Hayley Fruin said before the game.

Hennen responded with nine for nine serving; 10 digs, 11 kills and a block.

"I felt like I had to step up. The setters were doing a great job of giving me the opportunity," Hennen said.

Operating with new setters (yes, setters), McKenna Yost and Ireland Stassen, Hennen found her home at the net and along with sister Abby and Natalee Rolbiecki, hammered home 11 kills each.

"Our new setters pulled it together," said Hennen.

She referred to how big a win this really was. "It was a good game and it was good to win. It was fun to beat them by a lot," she said.

Minneota's new front, including Abby Frie and Abby Rost, put up a stiff wall against Medord's Transfer from Owatonna, Aylvia Johnson and their big middle hitter, Kinsey Cronin.

"I expected it a lot closer," said Hennen.

Minneota got great play all over the court, and Coach Fruin acknowledged how little really dropped on the Minneota side of the net. "We stepped up our play and balls were not dropping out there," she said.

When asked about nerves on the part of the Vikings, the coach said, "Yes, they had jitters," but they played loose and after getting the first few points, they settled down.

For freshman Abby Frie, it was a landmark day. She was playing against Medford, where she used to go to school and where here best friend was sitting on the bench.

So, in her first start, she took to the net against her ex-mates, fired the first shot for a point and also the second — and the rest was history.

"Frie was under a lot of pressure. But she played a great game," said Coach Fruin.

As for Morgan Hennen, well Coach Fruin said it best. "I told her before the match she would have a great game. I said, I think today is your day."

SERVES: (No., good, aces) Natalee Rolbiecki 10-10-1; Morgan Hennen 9-9; Abby Hennen 15-15-2; Elli Pesch 17-17-1; Ireland Stassen 9-11-1.

DIGS: Rolbiecki 15, Stassen 9, Abby Frie 4, Morgan Hennen 10, Abby Hennen 13, Abby Rost 2, Yost 7, Pesch 12.

SETS: Ireland 20, Yost 15.

KILLS: Rolbiecki 11, Stassen 3, Frie 4, Morgan Hannen 11, Abby Hennen 11, Rost 1, Yost 5.

 

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