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Class 1A quarterfinals: Top seeds advance

By Star Tribune, 11/06/14, 5:15PM CST

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Thursday's action saw the four top seeds make it to the semifinals.

Bethlehem Academy comes back strong

Not much has changed for Payton Nutter in the year she and her Bethlehem Academy teammates were absent from the Class 1A volleyball state tournament. But it sure feels good to be back. 

The Cardinals easily defeated Kittson County Central 25-12, 25-25, 25-13, serving notice that their intent is nothing short of their seventh state title.

Nutter, who led the Cardinals with 14 kills and 14 assists, said not making the tournament last year has been a driving force all season. 

"After last year we were just motivated to get back here,” Nutter said. 

Bethlehem Academy coach Franz Boelter is just as happy to be back in Xcel Energy Center.

“You hate to be greedy but you always feel bad if you don’t get here,” Boelter said, “We felt like we prepared well to get here.”

JIM PAULSEN

 

 


Martin County West rallies

A year ago Martin County West’s Taryn Tumbleson was sitting in the stands at Xcel Energy Center, unable to help her teammates in a first-round loss in the Class 1A volleyball tournament.

Tumbleson, a senior outside hitter, had been injured in a car accident just before the 2013 season and missed the entire year.

“I was ejected from the car,” she said. “I had compressed vertebrae, broke 11 ribs, had a concussion. I sat in the stands and saw things much differently.”

Tumbleson is back this year and her blocking and hitting on Thursday played a vital role in the Mavericks’ 14-25, 25-18, 25-14, 26-24 victory over Ada-Borup in the quarterfinals. Martin County West trailed 24-16 in the fourth set, but reeled off 10 consecutive points to win the match.

For Tumbleson, getting another chance to play after her injuries, was a blessing, no matter the result.

“It was an eye-opener for me ,” she said. “I don’t take anything for granted.”

She acknowledged, however, that winning the match in such dramatic fashion was particularly enjoyable.

“When we were down 24-16, I said ‘Let’s play to win,’ ” she said. “That was so fun.”

JIM PAULSEN

Rachel Finkbeiner contributed to this report.

 


Martin County West celebrates after taking the second set against Ada-Borup (Matthew Hintz, Special to the Star Tribune)


Youthful Mayer Lutheran defies record

Don’t be fooled by the Crusaders’ 15 losses on the season. They have learned from each of them.

A young Crusaders squad, with only one senior in its starting lineup, topped Carlton 25-22, 25-21, 21-25, 25-17. It also defeated the Bulldogs in the Class 1A Showcase during the regular season.

“We couldn’t be too confident just because we beat them earlier this year,” Crusaders senior middle hitter Maria Kuntz said. She had a game-high 21 kills. “We’ve had a lot of close games.” 

Mayer Lutheran (19-15) avenged a regular-season setback to New Life Academy in the Section 4 finals to reach the state tournament. Carlton was trying to do likewise.

“We’ve had our ups-and-downs,” Kuntz said. “It’s been a rough year, but we continue to fight through it.”

RON HAGGSTROM


Mayer Lutheran's Rachel Roepke gets one past Carlton's Jessica Stanslaski, left, and Lindsay Ermatinger (Matthew Hintz, Special to the Star Tribune)


Tracy-Milroy-Balaton looks to repeat history

The Panthers are celebrating the 10th and 20th anniversaries of two of their seven state championship teams. Can history repeat itself?

The fourth-ranked Panthers (27-9) used a balanced attack to dismantle Browerville 25-11, 25-15, 25-13. They were the Class 2A champions in 2004 and Class 1A champions in 1994. 

It also happens to be the Panthers’ first state tournament appearance since that last state title run in 2004.

“We were a little nervous because we haven’t been here in 10 years,” said Panthers senior middle hitter Sammie Gervais, who led the winners with 14 kills. “There was a lot of energy out there.”

Freshman outside hitter Sydney Lanoue added 12 kills for the Panthers, who had an attack percentage of .289. Sammie’s younger sister, sophomore Gabbie, had 32 set assists.

“We’re playing really well,” Sammie said. “We’re peaking at the right time.”

RON HAGGSTROM

 


Photo gallery: Class 1A volleyball quarterfinals

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