Tracy wins at Apple Valley, Vikings take third

Do you need to prove how tough volleyball is in Western Minnesota?

Here's some remarkable proof.

Tracy-Milroy-Balaton, ranked No. 2 in the state all year, won the tough Apple Valley Tournament — and the Minneota Vikings, No. 3 in the rankings, took third.

Touche'!

The Panthers defeated Pequot Lakes 2-0 (25-8, 25-12) before beating Kasson-Mantorville 2-0 (25-15, 25-22) to take home the championship.

Minneota lost to Kasson-Mantorville 26-24 and 25-20, then came back to beat Pequot Lakes, 25-23 and 26-16 to take home the third place trophy.

Against Pequot Lakes, Sydney Lanoue led the way in kills with 11 while Sidney Karbo had six. Lanoue led in digs with 10 while Kaylee Kirk had seven. Cassidy Smith led in set assists with 23.

Against Kasson-Mantorville, Lanoue led the way in kills with 12 (including recording her 2,000 career kill) while Evy Dolan added nine. Kirk led in digs with 14 while Lanoue had 12. Smith led in set assists with 31.

Minneota was led by Lydia Sussner with kills with 42 total while Lizzy Gillingham had 24 and Natalee Rolbiecki had 23.

Abby Hennen led in digs with 59 total while Gillingham had 25.

Morgan Kockelman led in set assists with 111.

Minneota (21-5) will face Windom Area on Thursday at 7:15 p.m.

Individual Statistics

Serving (Ace): (M. Hennen 43-45 (6); A. Hennen 35-35 (1); Kockelman 27-29 (1)).

Kills: (Sussner 42; Gillingham 24; Rolbiecki 23).

Digs: (A. Hennen 59; Gillingham 25; Pesch 11).

Set Assists: (Kockelman 111).

Blocks: (Sussner 6; Larson, Rolbiecki 1).