It was all Iowa competition on one Saturday and all Minnesota opposition the next Saturday. The Spring Grove volleyball girls did not drop a set while winning all six matches on the way to the championship of the Waukon (Iowa) Tournament on Sept. 17. A week later in Burnsville at the prestigious Class A Showcase, the Lions won three of five matches and the Bronze Division championship while competing against some of Minnesota’s best Class A teams. Spring Grove improved to 16-3.
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At Waukon, Spring Grove began by winning both matches in the first pool. The Lions dismissed Postville 2-0 (21-9, 21-9) and then Crestwood of Cresco, Iowa, 2-0 (21-14, 21-18.) In the second pool, Spring Grove dominated Lansing Kee 2-0 (21-5, 21-7) and then defeated MFL-MarMac 2-0 (21-7, 21-16).
In the final Championship Pool, the girls eliminated host Waukon 2-0 (21-14, 21-17), which set up a rematch with Crestwood. Again, the Lions prevailed 2-0 (21-16, 21-17). Spring Grove had previously taken the tourney title in 2018.
Maggie Lile spearheaded the defense with 37 digs while also scoring with 4 service aces. Kendal VanMinsel aired up 77 set assists while scoring herself with 19 kills, a solo block and 4 ace serves. Addyson McHugh had 39 kills, 3 solo blocks and 14 ace serves plus 26 digs. Kenadee Gerard also had a big day with 32 kills, a solo block and 6 ace serves. Joelle Halverson added 17 kills and Lydia Solum 12 along with 6 ace serves. Katelyn Kraus was a threat at the net with 8 kills and 4 solo blocks. Jordis Neeley scored with 9 kills, and Sydney Holland served 6 aces.
It was step up in competition at the Class A Showcase at the Midwest Volleyball Warehouse in Burnsville. Spring Grove went 1-2 in pool play, losing to state-ranked No. 2 Minneota 0-2 (22-25, 22-25) and to No. 7 Badger/Greenbush-Middle River 1-2 (28-26, 22-25, 11-15) before defeating Floodwood 2-0 (25-18, 25-20).
The Lions thus advanced into the Bronze Division where they won the championship by first defeating Cleveland 2-0 (25-21, 25-18) and finally Fillmore Central 2-0 (26-24, 25-19). Statistical leaders were Lile (65 digs, 12 aces), VanMinsel (100 assists), McHugh (50 kills, 9 blocks) and Gerard (35 kills).