Spuds volleyball out in two at state tournament
November 13, 2019
Moorhead High started strong against Minnetonka during the opening round of the Minnesota Class 3A state volleyball tournament on Nov. 7 at the Xcel Energy Center.
After Moorhead led most of the first set, Minnetonka jumped to an 18-16 lead. The Spuds put together a 9-3 run to win the set.
In a tightly played second set, Minnetonka played even with Moorhead before the Spuds had a six-point run at 16-20 that put them up 22-20. The Skippers would not be denied and at 22-24 tallied four straight points and won the second set 26-24.
The third set saw Moorhead’s biggest lead at 24-17 with one point needed for the win. Minnetonka rallied for a run, tying the match at 24, and then winning 28-26.
The Spuds were leading the fourth set at 21-17, but the Skippers had figured out how Moorhead played, and the Spuds were not able to adjust to the changes, dropping the last set 25-23.
Sam Zimmerman led the Spuds in kills with 15, while Jalen Ennen added 14 and Claire Howell added 11. Ennen and Willow Carrier had 14 digs and 13 digs respectively. Howell had 61 assists, and Alexa Gronwold added 50 assists.
Coach Char Lien said during the tournament in sections and against Minnetonka, her team was playing their best volleyball.
On Nov. 8, Moorhead played St. Louis Park in the consolation round of the state volleyball tournament.
Moorhead had a few good rallies during the first set, but mostly scored one point for every two or three that St. Louis Park scored. The Spuds eventually lost the first set 19-25. St. Louis Park came out hot for the second set, jumping to a six-point lead at 4-10. Moorhead came back making a couple points to each of the Orioles’ points, but it was not enough as St. Louis Park took the second set 22-25. The Orioles were all business as they took the third set 19-25.
Zimmerman was again the Spud leader for kills with 11. Claire Howell tallied eight kills, and Mya Pfiefer added six more. Zimmerman and Willow Carrier each had 12 digs for Moorhead. Howell added 22 assists and Ennen had 19. Carrier and Carleigh Vedder were also in double digits with 16 and 15 assists respectively.
Moorhead ended the season with a record of 19-13.
Photos: Moorhead’s Megan Haugo goes up for a block against Minnetonka in the first round action at the state volleyball tournament held at the Xcel Center in St. Paul on Nov. 7. Credit: Renée Grover
Moorhead High’s Mya Pfiefer attempts to spike the ball during the consolation round at the state tournament on Nov. 8. Credit: Bill Grover
Categorized under: School