Down two-sets-to-none and facing elimination from the Class 3A Volleyball Regionals, Spirit Lake regrouped to spark a dramatic come-from-behind win over #14 Carroll in five sets. The Indians opened the third set with an 8-0 run, building momentum that carried Spirit Lake to wins in games three and four. The decisive fifth set saw the Tigers take control early and assume a 9-8 lead, but following a timeout, the Indians reeled off four straight points before Kendra Stokke’s team-leading 18th kill sealed the deal on the win and a trip to the regional finals. Spirit Lake won with game scores of 20-25, 22-25, 25-13, 25-20, and 15-11. Bailey Loveall came one kill short of reaching double digits with nine, and Cara Vale pitched in with eight kills. Vale also came up big at the net defensively, with three solo blocks and two more assisted blocks. Whitney Berkland dished out 32 set assists, and Amanda Bueltel scraped together 17 digs, to go along with four service aces. Carroll’s big gun, Lindsey Schulz registered a game-high 21 kills, with Lisa Daringer tallying nine kills. The Tigers wrap up their season at 27-11. Spirit Lake will take a 22-7 mark back to Storm Lake on Wednesday for a regional final showdown with fifth-ranked Bishop Heelan. The Crusaders dismantled MOC-Floyd Valley in three sets, 25-9, 25-19, and 25-23.
North of the border, Martin County West advanced to the Class A, Section 2 Semifinals by taking down Alden-Conger in four sets, 25-22, 25-15, 16-25, and 25-23. MCW, at 17-10, will play Tuesday against United South Central, after their sweep over Madelia, 25-14, 25-19, and 25-22.
