On the Bench with Byron Higgin

Famous swollen ankle Perhaps the most famous swollen ankle in Minneota Athletic history belongs to Minneota volleyball all-stater Lizzy Gillingham.

The photo of her ankle  was taken by her father Brad Gillingham and sent out Monday morning.

his is the same ankle that nearly caused a disaster for the Minneota girls volleyball team when she twisted it on Friday in the state semifinals against Ada-Borup.

It’s the same ankle that was taped so she could get back in that game. And it’s the same one she hobbled around in the championship game on Saturday against Medford. So what did you expect? Lizzy Gillingham would miss the state championship???? Not on your life. She’s dreamed about this moment since she was a little girl.

She’s acted it out time after time, as she grew up. All she’s ever wanted was to win a state tournament.

She saw it this way. She prepared for it. So did you think a little thing like a swollen, battered ankle was going to keep Lizzy Gillingham away from her dream. Not on your life. Lizzy Gillingham is a tough young lady and she went out on that court Saturday and gutted it out. Her teammates felt for her.

They fed her the ball when they thought she could respond. And respond she did. Lizzy Gillingham hammered home seven kills in the state championship against Medford. Astounding for a volleyball player to do this on one leg. But that’s what she did. I watched her as she got ready for the game and even in the game. She didn’t turn hard on the leg.

In fact, she put little pressure on it at all ­ — really on the good one to carry her. This was, no doubt, one of the really astounding stories from the Class A State Tournament. Also, I noticed the way the other members of the team helped her along, encouraged her, took up the slack when she couldn’t do it and gave her a chance to be successful.

That’s what makes a great team. This is one great bunch of girls and the fact Lizzy was able to play in the state final, well, it meant everything to her and to her teammates. Without a doubt we can’t forget about the way freshman Natalee Rolbiecki stepped up. She’s been good all year, under the shadow of Lydia Sussner. But when they needed her, she stepped up, big time, slammed the ball like a veteran and helped lead her team to the state championship. Apparently the ascension of great volleyball players, passed down from Taylor Reiss to Lydia Sussner, will be passed down to Rolbiecki.

And it’s going to be nothing short of astounding to watch her success the next three years.

ODDS AND ENDS:

•All family members and fans of the Minneota Football Program are invited to come out and celebrate the Minneota Football Program and their Outstanding 2018 Varsity Season! All members of the team should attend if possible, players and managers. There will have Team Awards, Letters, Certificates, and misc. Awards and Information. The Minneota Football Banquet will be held at 6:30 p.m., Monday, November 26 at KB’s Ballroom in Ghent. A burger bar will be held and free will donations will be taken. The meal begins at 6:30 p.m. with awards to follow.

•It appears as though Minneota quarterback Thomas Hennen has survived the injuries he received to his leg during the BOLD section final. Many worried about his upcoming senior basketball career. It appears Hennen is on track to continue his pursuit of a state title in that sport as well.

•FOUR members of the Minneota girls volleyball tournament received an all-tournament trophy. Lydia Sussner, Abby Hennen, Natalee Rolbiecki and Morgan Kockelman got the honors, and they deserved it. Rolbiecki’s name was accidentally omitted from the state program. Morgan Hennen also deserved it. She really stepped up to the plate at state. And Gillingham might have been a candidate as well if she hadn’t hurt her ankle. It says a lot for the Minneota program and the team. They were great in the state tournament and have left Minneota fans with memories to remember for many, many years. Congratulations, girls!