In a matchup of Lakes Conference rivals, the Spirit Lake Indians controlled the Spencer Tigers in an impressive three-set sweep to open the Class 3A Regionals, and advance to the semifinals. Spirit Lake won by games scores of 25-11, 25-20, and 25-20. Sophomore Bailey Loveall helped bring in the Indians’ first postseason victory in at least five years, tallying six of her twelve kills in the match-clinching third set. She also recorded a team-high four service aces and notched a single block. Alexa Rodawig finished with eight kills. Whitney Berkland capitalized on the accurate hitting to reach 20 set assists, and Kendra Stokke was the leader of a scrappy Indians defense with 15 digs. Libero Amanda Bueltel was right behind with 14 digs. Spencer, whose season comes to a close at 15-22 overall, received a team-high six kills from sophomore Kirstin Martindale. Sydney Van Wettering had four aces. Spirit Lake advances to the regional semifinals on Thursday, where they will face #14 Carroll. The Tigers defeated Storm Lake in a three-set sweep, 25-11, 25-19, and 25-23. Live coverage of Thursday’s match can be heard on KUOO Campus Radio.
Click here for the postgame interview with Indians coach Rachel Berkland.
Elsewhere in Class 3A Region 1, MOC-Floyd Valley got by Sergeant Bluff-Luton in three games, 25-16, 25-14, and 25-14. The Dutch move on to play #5 Bishop Heelan after their three-set victory over LeMars, 25-14, 25-23, and 25-17.
North of the border it was the opening night of the volleyball postseason in Minnesota for those in Class A, and in Section 3, Round Lake-Brewster saw their season come to a quick close in three-sets, falling to Westbrook-Walnut Grove, 25-14, 25-19, and 25-13. W-WG advances to play Red Rock Central following their defeat of Hills-Beaver Creek, 25-15, 25-15, and 25-9.
In non-tournament volleyball action, Blue Earth earned a three-set sweep over Waseca, 25-21, 25-13, and 25-17.
