Top-seeded Mayer Lutheran sweeps Knights
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By Jeff Meder
Journal Sports Writer
ARLINGTON -- Top-Seeded Mayer Lutheran swept No. 4-seeded Sleepy Eye St. Mary's 25-21, 25-9, 25-19 on Tuesday in the semifinals of the North Subsection, Section 2A volleyball tournament at Sibley East High School.
The Crusaders led for a majority of the match. Whenever the Knights would try to come back, Mayer Lutheran found a way to hold off St. Mary's and win each set and the match.
Mayer Lutheran (23-5) will face BOLD for the North Subsection championship on Thursday at Mankato East High School.
The first set started out with both teams staying close to each other. Mayer Lutheran led 19-9 late in the set, and it kept St. Mary's at bay to win the set.
A service error early in the second set tied it at 1-1. The Crusaders put together an 8-0 run, which gave them a 9-1 advantage. They used their height advantage to build a 10-point lead midway through the set.
St. Mary's just couldn't muster any type of momentum, and an ace serve by Mayer Lutheran sealed the deal for it to win the second set.
The Knights opted to fight rather than switch in the third set. The outcome of the match was not decided until late in the set. Allie Labat's kill tied it at 3-3. Gabrielle Wachholz of the Crusaders rose to the occasion when she got three consecutive kills. One of Wachholz's kill was her 10th after a long rally. St. Mary's was able to close the gap and get within 3 points at 21-18.
Mayer Lutheran was able to find a way to keep St. Mary's from getting a chance to play a fourth set when it outscored them 4-1 to take the set and the match.
Wachholz finished with 11 kills to lead the Crusaders. Jenica Schroepfer led the Knights with nine kills, 11 digs and two blocks, while Abigail Schwartz had six kills. Bella Hoffmann had 15 digs and 14 set assists for the Knights, while Labat had 12 digs, 11 set assists and five kills.
St. Mary's finished its season with a 22-6 record.