Photo by Leif Erickson
Chatfield has had a pretty strong volleyball tradition over the years. Save for a late 2010’s down period, Gophers teams have been TRC contenders for a decade-plus. But Chatfield’s last out-right title has been awhile. It was 2006. That drought is over as this year’s incarnation handled its last obstacle to an undefeated TRC season and league championship. Kristi Rindels’ Gophers easily dispatched with the Wabasha-Kellogg 3-0 (25-7, 25-8, 25-8). Chatfield’s serving did most of the work, tallying 18 aces. Harper Goldsmith (5 digs, 14 assists, 15-16 serving, 7 aces) led the charge, helped by Hannah Tweten (9 assists, 7 digs, 9-10 serving, 4 aces), Lexi Hinckley (3 kills, 13-14 serving, 4 aces), Cora Bicknese (16 digs, 11-11 serving, 2 aces), and Charleigh Larson (4 kills, 12-13 serving, 2 aces). Five Gophers have multiple service scores. Evy Goldsmith (8 kills) and Kieran Schmaltz (5 kills) led the offense. Six Gophers had at least three kills, as everybody played in the home regular-season-finale. Ten of 11 girls got at least three offensive attacks, save pure setter Tweten. All eleven had at least one dig. The #3 in AA Gophers (10-0, 24-2) take first over second place #5 in AA Caledonia (9-1, 23-5) and third place #7 in A FC (8-2, 20-7). Chatfield shared TRC titles in 2020 (COVID year) and 2015. The Gophs are 1AA’s top seed, will host 16-seed St. Charles (0-23).