Vikings place fifth at Marshall VB tourney

Minneota Coach Hayley Fruin said it was so important how the team opened the weekend Molten Southwest Minnesota Challenge at Marshall last wekend.

"Winning the first match is critical. To win two puts us in a good position," said the coach.

They won those two — 25-14 and 25-20 over Perham and 25-19 and 25-20 over Eastview. Then went on to win four of five matches and take fifth in the prestigious tournament.

On Saturday they lost a cliffhanger to Northfield, beating them 25-13 but losing 2-21 before suffering a heartbreaking loss, 18-16.

But they rebounded with a 2-1 win over Prior Lake.

It was a tough battle — winning 25-14, then going into the 30's for a 34-32 loss before rebounding back with a 15-9 win.

While the long middle game took a lot out of the Vikings, they bounced back to capture fifth place in the 32-team tournament by beating a tough Kasson-Mantorville squad, 25-14; 22-25 and 16-14.

Minneota senior hitter Lydia Sussner had a big tournament with 57 kills and 18 blocks.

Lizzy Gillingham added 48 kills, a blocks and 53 digs.

Natalee Rolbiecki added 43 kills and 53 more digs while Morgan Hennen helped the backcourt with 52 digs. Abby Hennen added 50 digs to the effort.

Setter Morgan Kockelman had 150 set assists during the weekend.

Minneota now has an 8-1 Record (2-0 in conference) and play MACCRAY at home Tuesday.

Kills

Lydia Sussner 57

Lizzy GIllingham 48

Natalee Rolbiecki 43

Digs

Abby Hennen 50

Natalee Rolbiecki 53

LIzzy Gillingham 53

Morgan Hennen 52

Blocks

Lizzy Gillingham 1

Lydia Sussner 18

Morgan Kockelman 2

Abby Hennen 3

Assists

Morgan Kockelman 150