Michala Walther knows how to handle the stress that comes with playing in a marathon match with high stakes and higher expectations.
The middle hitter for Concordia Academy-Roseville was on a Beacons’ team that lost in the section championship last year, and the senior found herself playing for a state tournament berth again this year.
“She’s been in tough games before, so she understands the pressure,” Concordia Academy coach Kristin Fink said. “Day in and day out, she’s just really steady.”
Walther’s experience provided the stability the second-seeded Beacons needed to avoid stumbling against top-seeded St. Croix Lutheran as Concordia Academy defeated the Crusaders 25-18, 18-25, 18-25, 25-18, 15-11 in the Class 2A, Section 4 championship match on Thursday at Bloomington Kennedy High School.
The victory not only sent Concordia Academy on to the state tournament, but also avenged two losses to St. Croix Lutheran during the regular season.
Outside hitters Erin Fallert, a sophomore, and Clara Paul, a junior, lit up the scoresheet with a combined 29 kills for the Beacons, ranked No. 9 in the final Minnesota Volleyball Coaches Association Class 2A poll of the season.
Fallert said Walther’s ferocity in protecting the net and her calm demeanor on the floor stood out as essential ingredients in the victory over the Crusaders, ranked No. 8 in the poll.
“She’s a senior leader, and she encourages everyone,” Fallert added.
Walther maintains her actions don’t set her apart from her teammates.
“We don’t really have captains,” Walther said. “Everyone is kind of a captain on this team.
“We get a lot of encouragement (between) teammates,” she added.
Encouragement was not the only key in Concordia Academy’s victory. The Beacons never let their concentration waiver during the five-set match.
“We just focused on getting one point at a time,” Fallert said.
HIll-Murray dashed Concordia Academy’s hopes of a state tournament appearance last year, defeating the Beacons 3-0 in the section finals. That loss makes this victory over the Crusaders even more satisfying, Fink said.
“There are good days and there are bad days,” Fink said. “You work through them for a moment like this.”
Reaching the state tournament was an objective Concordia Academy established early on this season, and the Beacons accomplished it behind Walther’s steadying influence.
“That was our goal from the very first practice,” Walther said. “It’s an incredible achievement.”
