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Class 2A quarterfinals: Maple Lake wins in five sets

By Ron Haggstrom, Star Tribune, 11/06/14, 6:45PM CST

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Maple Lake ended three years of frustration, beating Concordia Academy in five sets.


The Maple Lake High School volleyball team celebrates a comeback victory over Concordia Academy-Roseville in the Class 2A volleyball quarterfinals (Matthew Hintz, Special to the Star Tribune)

Maple Lake 3, Concordia Academy 2

Maple Lake players were screaming loudly, giving each other high fives. Concordia Academy’s group looked on dejectedly.

The Irish ended three years of frustration, rallying to beat Concordia Academy 16-25, 18-25, 25-17, 25-16, 25-13 in the Class 2A quarterfinals Thursday at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. They lost to the Beacons (26-8) twice earlier this season in the Class 2A Showcase.

“That was crazy, just like the whole atmosphere in the building,” Maple Lake senior middle hitter Emily Webb said. “You get that feeling in your stomach, that good feeling.”

Webb ended the marathon with a tip over a pair of Concordia Academy blockers. It was Webb’s, along with the school’s, first victory in state tournament play. Maple Lake is making its fourth consecutive appearance in the field.

Maple Lake dropped the first two games, largely due to unforced errors. It got that corrected in the final three games.

“We had a lot of work to do, but it wasn’t over,” Webb said. “Once we got to the fifth game, we felt like we were going to win.”

Webb finished with 10 kills for the Irish (28-5). Freshman outside hitter Linsey Rachel had a game-high 18 kills and 22 digs.

“We can do anything if we put our mind to it,” Webb said.


Stewartville 3, Mora 0

The last of the No. 1 seeds, Stewartville, advanced to the semifinals in three straight games just like the previous two. It just didn’t come as easily.

The Tigers disposed of a pesky Mora squad 25-19, 25-17, 25-22 in an untypical sluggish performance. Stewartville was the runner-up in 2011, its last state tournament appearance.

“I was really excited to play here,” Stewartville senior Marissa Behrens said. She watched her older sister, Brianna, as a member of that 2011 team from the stands of the Xcel Energy Center. “I remember wanting to play in the state tournament, too.”

Junior middle hitter Jenna Willenborg paced the Tigers (28-6) with nine kills while Behrens had eight. Senior Jackie Bleifus had 23 setting assists.
“We’re a young team,” Behrenas said. “We’ll regroup and come back better tomorrow.”

The Mustangs (26-6) haven’t won a quarterfinal match in its three consecutive state tournament trips.


Stewartville's Jenna Willenborg, left, and Jackie Bleifus defend against Mora's Anna Mork (Matthew Hintz, special to the Star Tribune)


Belle Plaine 3, Rocori 1

Welcome back, Mariena Hayden.

The Belle Plaine sophomore outside hitter, who missed over a month of the season with a back injury, has returned with a vengeance. Hayden was dominant in leading the Tigers past Rocori 25-16, 25-18, 23-25, 25-22 in the Class 2A quarterfinals Thursday night at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

The Tigers (23-10) have only lost to Class 3A semifinalists Chaska and Eagan and Class 1A power Bethlehem Academy since Hayden’s return to the lineup the first week of October. She finished with 23 kills and 13 digs against the Spartans (24-6).

“Obviously, Mariena’s visibile when we need a side out,” Belle Plaine coach Cassie Koch said. “She is definitely a presence.”

 


Belle Plaine celebrates during its Class 2A suarterfinal match against Rocori (Matthew Hintz, special to the Star Tribune)


Marshall 3, Thief River Falls 0

The three-time defending state champion Tigers aren’t as imposing as past years. That doesn’t mean they can’t make a run at a four-peat.

The No. 3-ranked Tigers cruised past much taller Thief River Falls 25-23, 25-12, 25-20 in their 14 consecutive trip to the state tournament. They are making their 26th overall appearance.

“We’re back with the same goals we had last year,” Marshall junior middle hitter Marah Mulso said. “We’ve felt a lot of pressure because of what we’ve done over the past years.”

Mulso had 16 kills to lead the way for the Tigers (24-9). Junior setter Abby Louwagie had 33 setting assists and a team-high nine digs.
“We’ve definitely been overlooked this season,” Mulso said. “We have something to prove.”


Photo gallery: Class 2A volleyball quarterfinals

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