The 2020 football season was a unique one, to put it politely. First there wasn’t going to be a season, or it was going to be moved to the spring. Then, the MSHSL decided to have a fall football campaign, with it starting late, in October. Teams got games in amidst COVID, but the virus slowly took its toll. A shortened regular season was completed and the playoffs started, but then a halting point was put on the campaign the first week of playoffs. In Section 1 9-Man, no semifinals were played, just a championship game and a third-place contest. All seven Journal 11 9-Man teams (LeRoy-Ostrander, Spring Grove, Mabel-Canton, Lanesboro, Grand Meadow, Kingsland, and Houston) played post-seasons. The Section 1 9-Man title game, though, saw the Larks have multiple players sit out versus the Burros, due to COVID contact-tracing. In Class A, the playoffs saw just three teams avoid COVID shut-down. Journal 11 squads Rushford-Peterson and Fillmore Central weren’t among them. In Class AA, the playoffs also only had three teams survive. Triton was set to play Chatfield for the 1AA title game, but then the Cobras were shut-down. It left the Gophers the technical 1AA champions despite not playing one play-off game. Defending 1AA champion and superpower Caledonia was like R-P and FC, shut down per COVID. It was chaos.
The hope for the 2021 season is to avoid most of that. But it’ll be a season anew. Another two years have passed. New district and section alignments go into effect. Area 9-Man teams are the least affected. SG, Houston, M-C, Lanesboro, Kingsland, GM, and L-O join L/P and Southland in comprising the nine team 9-South ‘East’ sub-district. Kingsland does have to move to Class A 11-man for playoffs. The other eight schools comprise 9-Man Section 1 for playoffs. In the Mid-Southeast, R-P and FC will be joined by Faribault B.A., Cotter, Hayfield, Randolph, Wabasha-Kellogg, and Kenyon-Wanamingo to form a sub-district. The section is those eight teams, minus Cotter, plus Kingsland. Notably, Blooming Prairie and Goodhue have moved to Class AA. BP remains in Mid-Southeast District. In Class AA, Caledonia and Chatfield are joined by St. Charles, Lewiston-Altura, Goodhue, Triton, and D-E in one sub-district of the Southeast District. Section 1AA in those seven teams plus Cotter.
Entering the Fillmore County Journal sports coverage umbrella are the Caledonia Warriors. If you’ve lived under a rock the last decade-plus, here’s (just their big) feats since 2010: nine section titles, nine state appearances, eight Class AA state titles, seven undefeated seasons (full year). Through the decade, they lost just thrice total (PEM in 2011, Chatfield in the 2013 section title game, and BOLD in the 2014 state semis). There are high school sport dynasties and there is the above. But 2020 was a lost year for the Warriors. They played just three games, winning all by double digits, before their season was COVID shut-down. They didn’t participate in the 1AA playoffs, which had just one game before getting shut-down too (only three teams remained eligible). A group of seniors that went on to a Class AA basketball state runner-up finish and a 20-win baseball season missed the majority of probably Caledonia sports’ most important season. The off-season also presented another development. Would-be senior Eli King, a 2020 All-State 2nd Team honoree, the team’s QB and a fantastic multi-purpose athlete, made the decision to concentrate on basketball (he has signed to play at Iowa State). And thus, for the first time in a long time, a King brother (whether it be Owen, Noah, or Eli) won’t be helping lead a Warrior football team. It has been an interesting 12-24 months for everyone, and Head Coach Carl Fruechte’s Warriors haven’t been immune (no pun intended). But the beat will go on, and like every other high school team, normalcy will be sought in 2021. Caledonia graduated four All-District picks; Casey Schultz (DE/OL), Austin Klug (WR/DB), Jacob Staggemeyer (WR/LB), and Andrew Kunelius (WR/LB), while a fifth, Eli King (QB/S), isn’t out. All told, 12 seniors graduated and nine were honored either A-D or A-D HM. Leading the Warriors this year will be an 8-man senior class of Logan Banse (DE/TE), Chris Pieper (OL/TE), Jermiah Johnson (OL/DL), Blake Morrow (OL/MLB), Thane Meiners (RB/LB), Eli Ranzenberger (OL/DL), Tate VanGundy (TE/DE), and Mitchell Gavin (OL/DL). Banse and Pieper were All-District HM a season ago. Banse was the district’s Lineman of the Year. The Warriors also have 14 juniors and 19 sophomores. Reigning District Coach of the Year Carl Fruechte’s team will start off by travelling to Lake City for a cross-district game. They then have home games versus St. Charles and Chatfield. Other home games are Rochester-Lourdes (week six), the other cross-district game, and Triton (week seven). In 2019, Caledonia went 14-0 and took home a state title. They enter the season on a 71-game win streak.
Claiming the most legitimate section crown of the Journal 11 teams last season were the Lanesboro Burros. James Semmen’s group had a magnificent campaign. They went 5-1 in the sub-district, 7-1 overall. Lanesboro beat GM 16-12 to claim the Section 1 9-Man title. It was done so amidst just a two round play-off system (quarterfinals, finals) per an impending COVID shut-down. They won their last seven games and thus enter on seven game win streak. A 12-man senior class graduated, one highlighted by All-District picks, repeat selection Bodie Mayer (6’2” 230 OL/DE), Ben Snyder (6’1” 185 DE/TE), and Caden Anderson (5’9” 160 WR/S). Mayer was 9-Man All-State. But two A-D picks return. Seth Semmen (6’1” 205 QB/LB) is back as both the quarterback of the offense and the defense. He accounted for 9 TDs last year (252 yards, 3 TDs, 4 INTs passing; 373 yards, 6 TDS rushing) while leading the team in tackles (74 total). It’s his third year under center. J.T Rein (5’10” 190 RB/LB) returns at starting running back. He rushed for over 1,000 yards in just eight games (140-1,022 yards, 12 TDs). It’s his fourth year as the Burros main tail-back. Semmen was the rare good thrower/sprinter track stand-out while Rein went to state in the hurdles. They are an impressive duo. Additionally, fullback Hayden Lawstuen (6’1” 180 RB/LB > 73-520, 7 TDS rushing) returns. The trio are the Burros’ top three rushers from last year, a combined 25 rushing TDs. Clay Schwichtenberg (5’9” 245 Sr. OL/NT), an A-D HM pick last year, Carter Clarke (6’1” 180 Sr. TE/DE), and Stephan Schultz (6’2” 185 Jr. C/DL) also are back to lead the Burro lines. Lanesboro lost some guys, but they have 11 seniors. Adam Ruen (WR/CB), Reece Benson (QB/LB), Bodie Wright (TE/DE), Jordan Peterson (TE/DE), Jacob Peterson (OL/DL), and Trevor Ruen (C/DL) join the above four. The Burros also have 10 returning juniors and seven sophomores. They open by hosting GM in a section title re-match. Other home games are L-O (week three), a cross district contest versus Nicollet (week six), and SG (week eight). They are at Houston (week four) and at M-C (week seven). In 2019, Lanesboro went 3-4, 3-6.
Chatfield football continued its high level of play last year. The Gophers went 3-1 in the Southeast-White, 4-1 overall. Jeff Johnson’s group were seeded #1 (of just three teams) in the 1AA playoffs. They were set to play Triton in the 1AA title game, before the Cobras had COVID issues and couldn’t play. It left the Gophers de facto section champions, albeit Caledonia’s season was shut-down. Chatfield’s loss was to the Warriors. The Gophers graduated 13 seniors and nine were honored A-D or A-D HM. Chatfield had five All-District picks including seniors Austin Koenigs (6’2” 210 OL/DE), Reid Johnson (6’1” 180 QB), Tate Karver (5’9” 160 HB/LB), and Corey Ericson (5’10” 155 WR/DB). Johnson was a three-year starter behind center. The sole returning All-Southeast guy is a very good one, junior Sam Backer (5’11” 180 RB/S). Possibly the area’s top tailback and a highlight-reel machine, Backer is already a two-time A-D pick heading into his junior year. He earned White Co-Offensive Player of the Year honors (105-782 yards, 9 TDs rushing, 10 total TDs) last year. From there, the Gophers return three of seven A-D HM picks, all seniors; defensive play-maker Grady Schott (6’2” 190 WR/MLB), third-year starter Campbell Berge (5’11” 180 OL/DL), and Mason Clemens (5’11” 210 OL/DL). Returning starter Ethan Ruskell (6’1” 200 OL/DL), Caden Nolte (6’0” 220 OL/DL), and Dylan Cocker (5’10” 150 WR/CB) round out a six-man senior class. Team Chosen Valley has 18 juniors and 21 sophomores. The Gophers open by hosting PEM, a cross-district contest. They travel to Triton and Caledonia weeks two and three. St. Charles (week four), Goodhue (week six), and D-E (week seven) are their other home games. At Cannon Falls (week five) is their other cross-district game. In 2019’s full season, the Gophers went 3-2 in the White, 8-3 overall (fell to Caledonia in section final).
Down Ben Niggle Field way, Rushford-Peterson will look for a good season. The Trojans went 2-3 last year and didn’t play a post-season game per COVID shut-down. Coach Davin Thompson will lean on an experienced 12-man senior group. The Trojans return five of seven overall All-District selections from last year. The two losses were good ones, Kobe Lind (6’3” 180 WR/S > 23-361, 5 TDs receiving) and big Ben Wieser (6’5” 315 OL/DL). Lind was a three-time A-D pick, Weiser the sub-district Lineman of the Year last season. But much returns. That cast his headed by third-year starting quarterback, senior Malachi Bunke (6’1” 160 QB/DB). Bunke was 68 of 119 for 1,187 yards, 13 TDs, and just 3 INTs in last year’s five game season, adding 299 yards and 3 TDs rushing. Through two seasons, Bunke has 10 games in multiple TD passes. He’ll have a big red zone target in fellow senior All-District returnee, third-year player Justin Ruberg (6’3” 215 WR/LB). Ruberg caught 23 passes (for a modest 189 yards) but had 6 TDs. Leading the guys up front is a third third-year starter, senior Carson Thompson (5’11” 215, DL/OL), who racked up 6 ½ sacks last season. From there, seniors Alex Ronnenberg (5’8” 155 WR/DB > 16-349, 5 TDs receiving, two return TDs) and Logan Skalet (5’10” 200 OL/DL) return after making A-D HM. Hadyn Kahoun (5’10” Sr. RB/LB), Tommy Ekern (6’0” 175 Sr. WR/LB), Jacob Meyer (5’8” Sr. 220 OL/DL), Dalton Hoel (5’7” 150 RB/DB), and Andrew Wilkemeyer (6’3” 230 Jr. OL/DL) are five more key returnees. Wyatt Laumb (5’10” 160 DB/WR), Aaron Prinsen (6’0” 160 WR/LB), and Brady Gile (6’0” 170 WR/LB) round out the senior class. Gile and Grady Hengel (5’8” 160 Jr. WR/DB) are intriguing additions. Gile (track speed) played some as a sophomore while Hengel (basketball quickness) ran cross country the last two years. R-P has seven juniors and 10 sophomores to go with the 12 seniors. The Trojans open by hosting Medford in cross-sub-district play, then travel to FC. K-W (week 3), Cotter (week 5), and Faribault B.A. (week 8) are the other four home games. At Randolph (week 6) could be a key game. In 2019’s full season, the Trojans 3-1 in the sub-district, 7-3 overall.
Just a few years removed from not having a varsity program, LeRoy-Ostrander football has put together back-to-back noteworthy seasons. The Cardinals went 2-2 in the South-East, but 5-2 overall last year. L-O beat M-C and SG handily in the playoffs, taking third in the section (playoffs were altered by a COVID shutdown date). Trevor Carrier’s group should be strong again this season. Team Card returns three of four All-District players, a cast headed by third-year starting quarterback Chase Johnson (5’6” 170 Sr. QB/DB). Probably the sub-district’s shiftiness player, Johnson is a nightmare to bring down. He accounted for 19 total TDs while nearly passing for and rushing for 1,000 yards (54-124, 905 yards, 12 TDs, 6 INTs passing; 146-994, 7 TDs rushing). He tallied over 800 total yards in the two combined play-off games and earned sub-district Back of the Year. Bookending L-O’s line are a pair of returning long athletes, fellow seniors and A-D selections Tanner Olson (6’3” 230 TE/DE) and Gavin Sweeney (6’4” 215 OL/DE). Olson was the team’s leading tackler who notched 8 ½ sacks. Sweeney averaged 20-plus yard per reception (9-226, 3 TDs). L-O lost one A-D player, hard-running Isaac Collier (5’11” 190 RB/LB > 117-716 yards, 12 TDs rushing). His is a void to fill. Memphiz Gomez (5’11” 190 Sr. RB/LB), a lead blocker who made A-D HM last season, is a fourth key returnee. Morgan Jasper (6’2” 210 TE/DT) and Hayden Sass (6’3” 225 OL/DE) round out a six-man senior class. Tristan Lewison (5’11” 150 WR > 17-377 yards, 6 TDs receiving), the team’s top receiver last year, and Peyton Roe (5’7” 170 RB/LB) are key returning juniors. L-O has seven juniors and two sophomores to go with their seniors. They have just 18 on varsity. The Cardinals will open by hosting Southland. Cross-district foe Mountain Lake (week four), Spring Grove (week six), and Houston (week seven) are other home games. L-O travels to Lanesboro (week three) and GM (week five) in key sub-district games. In 2019’s full season, the Cardinals were the sub-district champion, going 8-0 and finishing 9-1.
Across from the newish SEMA Equipment dealer, Grand Meadow enters the year coming off a bittersweet campaign. After a state season in 2019, the Super Larks seemed maybe on their way again in 2020. They went 4-0 in the sub-district and 6-0 in the regular season. But COVID contact-tracing shelved multiple GM starters (All-District players) for their only play-off game (after a first round bye). The Larks fell 16-12 to Lanesboro in the Section 1 9-Man title game. They finished 6-1. Coach Gary Sloan had five All-District picks. Three were seniors; Ben Kraft (6’2” 195 TE/DE), Cameron Sneed (5’11” 199 G/DT), and Daniel Smith (6’0” 174 RB/LB). Two other A-D HM picks, Evan Oehlke (QB) and Blake Ludemann (WR/DB) also departed amidst a 10-man graduating class. Kraft was 9-Man All-State, Smith 9-Man All-State HM, and Sneed the sub-district Lineman of the Year. The Larks’ top two returnees this year are A-D guys Dustin Copley (6’1” 168 RB/DB) and Taylor Glynn (6’2” 194 TE/LB). Copley made it for a second year after leading GM in rushing (75-558, 11 TDs rushing; 11-94, 3 TDs receiving, four interceptions). Glynn accounted for stats passing, rushing, and receiving on offense while leading the Larks in tackles. They head a 10-man senior class that also includes key returning line starter Riley Paul (6’2” 228 G/DT), Wesley Soltau (5’11” 156 C/LB), Jacob Kerrins (5’9” 142 WR/DB), Carter Mueller (6’1” 208 TE/DE), Nils Lee (5’11” 168 TE/DB), Alex Stevens (6’1” 247 G/DT), Jasen Gehling (5’10” 164 RB/DB), and Cole Start (6’0” 151 TE/DE). To go with that group, GM has seven juniors and eight sophomores. A new quarterback will need to fill Oehlke’s shoes. Cael Gilbert (5’10” 155 Jr.) may be the guy. Team purple begins the year with a Section title rematch at Lanesboro. They host Heron Lake-Okabena-Fulda, their cross-district foe (week two), Houston (week three), L-O (week four), and L/P (week six). In 2019, GM went 6-1 in the sub-district, 10-2 overall. They were Section champs.
Spring Grove returns eight of last year’s top 12 on offense and seven of the top 12 defenders from last year’s 5-3 (4-2 district) team – an 11th straight winning record. All four all-district selections graduated, but there is height and speed plus an unprecedented wealth of linemen. However, there are only three seniors; two-thirds of the Lions are freshmen and sophomores. Again, there is a new quarterback – sophomore Elijah Solum (6’1”, 190), who completed 8 of 12 passes in the short preseason scrimmage. Coach Kody Moore welcomes back six two-way regulars: All-District HM Tysen Grinde (6’2”, 170, Jr. WR/S), Reid Bjerke (6’2” 175, Sr. WR/LB), Ty Cleven (5’11”, 220 Jr. C/NG), Camron Kraus (6’1” 180, Sr. OL/DL), Logan Brumm (6’0”, 180 Jr. OL/DL) and All-District HM Hunter Holland (5’9”, 165 Jr. RB/LB), who also kicked off and returned kicks. Solum at linebacker and Ethan Crouch (6-4, 210, So. OL/DL) were both defensive regulars. In the Lions’ four-receiver offense, there are four receivers at heights from 6’2” to 6”4,” including Jaxon Strinmoen (6’3”, 165 So. WR/CB) and newcomer Carson Gerard (6’4”, 195 Sr. TE/DE). Caleb Griffin (5’10”, 160, Jr. WR/CB) led last year’s B-team in almost every offensive and kicking category. There is a bevy of aspiring linemen seriously challenging the veterans for playing time: Juniors Noah Blackburn and Cooper Olson plus sophomores Austin Conway and Josh Newgaard along with freshmen Shawn Crouch, Nate Crouch, Emmet Engeldinger, Brandon Jahnke and Garret Waldenberger. The Lions open at Houston. They have home games with L/P (week two), GM (week four), Southland (week five), and Kingsland (week seven). At M-C is week three. In 2019, SG went 5-2 in the sub-district, 7-3 overall.
In Harmony, Fillmore Central enters the year coming off a season where they started with lineman on quarantine in the season opener, and ended shut down as a team (per distance learning). Chris Mensink’s Falcons went 2-4 in the sub-district and overall. FC had five All-District honorees, but four were seniors. Included was three-time A-D recipient Carson Kiehne (5’8” 150 RB/LB > 511 total yards, 5 TDs), two-time A-D pick and quarterback Zach Haugerud (6’1” 170 QB/LB > 750 yards total offense, 8 total TDs), sub-district Defensive Player of the Year Ajay Ristau (5’8” 160 LB/RB), and Trevor Hershberger (5’10” 145 WR/DB). The Falcons’ only returning All-District player is Alec Sikkink (6’0” 180 RB/LB), the team’s leading rusher last year (28-269, 4 TDs rushing; 11-183, 3 TDs receiving). Haven O’Connor (6’3” 235 Sr. OL/DL), Hunter Suckow (6’1” 160 OL/DL), Carson Berg (5’6” 186 OL/DL), and Jason Hsu (5’10” 151 WR/DB) give the Falcons five seniors. Sikkink is the only returning player to notch more than 10 offensive touches. Sikkink, O’Connor, and Bryce Corson (5’7” 141 RB/LB) are the only returning players to record more than ten tackles. The Falcons starting QB job was still up for grabs in the pre-season between Dillon O’Connor (5’7” 155 Jr. QB/LB) and Chase Christianson (5’11” 151 So. QB/DB). It’ll be a fresh-looking Falcon team. FC has eight juniors and 15 sophomores to go with their seniors. The teal and black open at their cross-district foe, Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton. Their host R-P (week 2), Faribault B.A. (week 4), Randolph (week 5), and W-K (week seven). In 2019’s full season, FC went 2-3 in the MSE-East, 3-6 overall.
After multiple highly successful years, Houston fell off a bit last season. The Hurricanes went 2-4 in the South-East in the regular season. Cody Hungerholt’s group fell late to Spring Grove (20-14) in the section quarters and finished 2-5. A trio of ‘Canes made the All-District team and two more were A-D HM. Four of those honorees were seniors. Caiden Olson (5’9” 160 RB/DB > 106-712 yards, 7 TDs rushing) and Colton Halverson (6’0” 260 OL/DL) were the purely A-D guys lost to graduation. The lone returning All-District honoree is starting quarterback Isaac Heyer (6’1” 175 Sr. QB/DB), who had breakout campaign. Heyer used his burst to rush for 842 yards on 140 carries with 7 TDs. He had three 175-plus-yard rushing games. Houston’s other top returnees are seniors Kenny Grupe (RB/DB), Ethan Hargrove (TE/LB), Aydan Florin (RB/DB), Austin Fishel (OL/LB), and Tanner Kubitz (OL/DL). Caden Ness (RB/DB) and Karalee Christensen (OL/DL) round out an 8-person senior class. Heyer scored the majority of Houston’s returning TDs. Team double-H has just two juniors and 11 sophomores to go with their seniors. The Hurricanes begin by hosting SG. Lanesboro (week four), L/P (week five) and Granada-Huntley-East Chain (week eight) also come to town. The latter is the lone cross-district game. Houston’s four road games are twice back-to-back (weeks three and four, weeks six and seven). In 2019’s full season, Houston went 4-3 in the South-East, 7-4 overall. They were 9-Man Section 1 runner-up for a second straight year.
The Mabel-Canton Cougars enter this season coming off a 2020 campaign where they went 2-4 in the sub-district, 2-5 overall. They were felled by L-O 61-36 in the Section 1 9-Man quarters. Karl Urbaniak’s Cougars had three All-District picks and two were seniors. Included was three-year A-D selection, leading rusher and tackler Gavin Johnson (6’0” 185 RB/LB > 239-1,272 yards, 18 rushing TDs) plus Randy Gerard (5’9” 240 OL/DL). Johnson was 9-Man All-State. Six seniors graduated in total. Cayden Tollefsrud is M-C’s returning A-D selection. Tollefsrud (5’8” 150 So. RB/DB > 104-671, 4 TDs rushing; 8-123 receiving) was honored as just a freshman due to his quickness and elusiveness. Like Johnson before him, he will carry the Cougar “ball” for multiple years out of the backfield. M-C had two A-D HM, and both return in the forms of Alex Arneson (6’0” 190 Sr. OL/LB) and Robert Michels (5’9” 205 Jr. OL/DL). Returning starters James Arneson (5’10” 160 OL/DB), Jaymeson Tollefsrud (5’11” 155 RB/DB), and Owen Undebakke (OL/LB) round out M-C’s four-man senior class. Jordan Larson (5’9” 145 Jr. QB/DB), the team’s quarterback, and Matt McClimon (Jr. OL/DL) are two other key returnees. The Cougars have six juniors and four sophomores to go with their seniors. M-C opens at L/P. They then host L-O and SG in week two and three, Houston and Lanesboro weeks six and seven. At Madelia is their cross-district game. In 2019, the Cougars went 0-7, 0-9.
In Spring Valley, its year two for the Knights under Head Coach Matt Kolling. Kingsland went 1-4 in the regular season last year, 1-5 overall. They fell to Lanesboro in the Section 1 9-Man quarters. A main story to the beginning of this season is that the Knights will play 9-man in the regular season, but Class A 11-man in the playoffs. It’s a tough transition recently done by Randolph. Kingsland will have to do so with just four seniors, returning guys James Howard (6’0” 165 RB/DB), Bret Musel (6’5” 265 G/DT), Tommy Warren (6’0” 180 G/DT), and Kaden Rath (5’7” 155 RB/DB). Howard was the Knights’ sole All-District player last year. A speedster who anchored GMLOKS’ short relays (including a state qualifier) in the spring, he amassed nearly 500 yards of offense last season and 8 total TDs (75-374, 6 TDs rushing; 6-122, 2 TDs receiving). Team double-K had a pair of A-D HM players, but one graduated and the other isn’t out. Joining Kingsland’s seniors and four returning juniors; Mike Watson (5’10” 180 C/LB), Vincent Giebel (5’8” 170 RB/LB), Mason Kolling (6’5” 225 TE/DE), and Kale Mensink (5’11” 155 QB/LB). The latter projects at QB, though Rath played that position last season. The Knights also have seven returning sophomores. Kingsland opens with their cross-district game, at Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart. They have home games with Houston (week two), M-C (week four), Lanesboro (week five), and GM (week eight). In 2019, the Knights went 1-6 in the South-East, 1-8 overall.
Photo by Heather Kleiboer
Hot Shots
The volleyball season got rolling. Caledonia, which (in an anomaly) had just one victory last year, posted two wins in three days to start the year. The Warriors (0-0, 2-0) recorded 22 total ace blocks in wins over Winona High (3-0), and Orono (3-0) at the Hopkins Side-out Classic. M-C (1-0, 1-0) got 44 assists from Sahara Morken and 20 digs from Molly Lee in a 3-0 win over GM. Ella Cambern had 48 assists and 16 digs, Kaci Ruen 26 kills, as Lanesboro (1-0, 1-0) beat Kingsland (0-1, 0-1) by a 3-1 final. Southland scored just 30 total points, as SG (1-0, 1-0) swept that match-up 3-0. L-O (1-0, 1-0) got 31 assists from Anna Welsh and 20 digs from Gracie O’Byrne in sweeping Schaeffer 3-0. Lourdes scored just 38 points as Chatfield (0-0, 1-0) swept the Eagles 3-0. FC (0-0, 0-1) led Hayfield 2-0, but fell 3-2 in five sets. Lauren Mensink had 26 assists and 23 digs in defeat.
Volleyball (8/26 & 8/28)
Southeast Conference
Grand Meadow 0, #4 in A Mabel-Canton 3 > 25-17, 25-23, 25-17 (M-C: Sa. Morken 44 assists, 10 digs; Sophie Morken 14 kills, 10 digs, 9-10 serving, 3 aces; M. Lee 9 kills, 20 digs; Kinley Soiney 11 kills; Emily Carolan 9 kills, 13 digs; Saijal Slafter 5 kills, 16-17 serving, 3 aces; MaKenzie Kelly 10 digs. GM: Sydney Cotton 16 digs; River Landers 9 kills, 3 blks; Kendyl Queensland 3 kills, 15 digs; Emma Grafe 3 kills, 8 assists; Anna Oehlke 8 digs; Isabelle Fretty 6 assists)
Photo by Leif Erickson
Kingsland 1, Lanesboro 3 > 25-20, 26-28, 25-18, 25-16 (L: K. Ruen 26 kills, 13 digs; E. Cambern 4 kills, 48 assists, 16 digs, 25-26 serving, 3 aces; Malia Tessum 18 digs, 4 aces; Jensyn Storhoff/Ellie Anderson 8 kills; Lynsey Ruen 5 kills, 13 digs; Skyler Check 13 digs; Sarah Eversole 10 digs. K: Alyssa Link 9 kills, 6 assists, 6 digs, 4 blks; Shelby Beck 6 kills, 10 assists, 5 digs, 2 blks; Anika Reiland 18 digs; Audrey Webster 9 digs. Burros played without starter All-SEC pick Jessie Schreiber (ankle))
Southland 0, Spring Grove 3 > 25-12, 25-13, 25-5 (SG Addyson McHugh 10 kills, 5 blks; Rachel Normann 22 assists, 8 aces; Lydia Solum 5 kills, 3 blocks; Danika Holty 4 aces. Lions never trailed in any set, served 90% with 14 aces, had 25 kills with only 11 errors, scored with 9 blocks. It was the teams’ first meeting in 11 years)
LeRoy-Ostrander 3, Schaeffer Academy 0 > 25-14, 25-15, 25-15 (L-O: G. O’Byrne 20 digs; A. Welsh 31 assists, 6 digs; Jordan Runde 10 kills, 6 digs; Sam Volkart 8 kills, 9 digs; Sidney Lewison 8 kills (.400 hitting); Kylie Welsh 8 digs, 16-17 serving)
Non-Conference
Caledonia 3, Winona-Senior 0 > 25-10, 25-10, 25-12 (C: Logan Koepke 5 kills, 7 digs; Grace Myhre 5 kills, 6 ace blocks; Jovial King 10 assists; Emme Kittleson 6 digs; Brianna Stemper 25-25 serving, 4 aces. Warriors served 94% (60-64))
Fillmore Central 2, Hayfield 3 > 25-16, 25-19, 14-25, 23-25, 14-16 (FC: L. Mensink 5 kills, 26 assists, 23 digs, 18-20 serving, 2 aces; Kammry Broadwater 15 kills, 13 digs; Abby Bothun 12 kills, 11 digs; Kyla Hellickson 14 digs, 15-15 serving; Regan Hanson 8 kills, 6 digs; Alyssa Britton 3 kills, 16-17 serving, 3 aces. Falcons and Vikings have played each other six times in last seven years with three matches going five sets and two four sets. Falcons are 2-1 in five sets versus Hayfield)
Photo by Christine Vreemans
Rochester-Lourdes 0, Chatfield 3 > 25-12, 25-17, 25-9 (C: Zayda Priebe 12 kills; Sydney Allen 14 assists, 6 digs; Peyton Berg 8 kills, 8 digs, 17-20 serving, 6 aces, 2 blks; Devann Clemens 7 assists, 14-15 serving; Shelby Nolan 6 digs; Jaelyn LaPlante 4 kills)
Side-out Classic at Hopkins > Caledonia 3, Orono 0 > 25-22, 25-22, 25-15 (C: G. Myhre 6 kills, 9 digs, 4 aces blks; L. Koepke 6 kills, 14 digs, 3 ace blks; Sadie Treptow 4 kills, 6 ace blocks, 4 aces; J. King 9 assists; Emma Rommes 9 assists; Alexis Schroeder 7 digs. Warriors had 15 ace blocks)
*The Fillmore County Journal Sports page is a written collaboration of Paul Trende and Lee Epps.
**A special thank you to all coaches who submitted info on their teams.