Hawks Drop Quarterfinal Match

Dwight Cadwell – NSO

Entering the 2015 state volleyball tournament the Hermantown Hawks who had not played in a state tournament for twenty years, saw the Hawks have to open up play in the quarterfinals against the number 2 seeded Beacons of Concordia Academy of Roseville Thursday night in St. Paul.

The Beacons entered as the states second rated team proved why they are the states second team as they swept the match 3-0 over Hermantown. The set scores were 25-13, 25 -14, and 25 -18.

The Hawks came into the state quarterfinals hoping for the upset, but the Beacon controlled the first two sets opening early leads and never allowing Hermantown to gain any momentum.  The Beacons started the first set on a 6-0 run before Jordyn Thomas had a kill for the first Hawk point.

The Beacons continued with their fine execution on offense and would counter all of Hermantown’s adjustments. The Hawks narrowed the margin to 15-9 in the first match, but it was the Beacons going on a 8-1 run to all but ensure a win in the first set.

The second set once again saw the Beacon start fast building up an early lead of 6-1 before Sierra Bolen’s kill notched the Hawks first point of the second set. Hermantown narrowed the led down to 8-4 on another Bolen kill but that would be as close as the Hawks came in the second set as the Beacons took a 2-0 lead.

Hermantown started the third set fast taking its only lead of the night as the Hawks built a 7-4 lead behind kills from Bolen, Hailey Menzel, and Kiera Salo. The three point lead was short lived as the Beacons rallied and went on a 16-6 run building up a 20-13 lead..

The Hawks could not make a run as the Beacons closed out Hermantown and earned the sweep.

The Hawks were led by Hailey Menzel who finished with 7 kills, 9 digs and 1 ace serve. Sierra Bolen added 6 kills, while Jordyn Thomas added 6 kills, 12 set assists and 1 block.

The beacons were led by Erin Fallert who had 14 kills, 19 digs and 3 ace serves. Elisabeth Tramm ended with 37 set assists and 5 digs on the night.

Hermantown will face Morris Area who lost to Roccori in five sets Thursday night. Consolation action will be at 7:00 pm Friday night.

Short Box Score (Match)
2015 State Girls’ Volleyball Tournament
Hermantown vs Concordia Academy
(Nov 12, 2015 at St. Paul, MN)

Concordia Academy def. Hermantown 25-13,25-14,25-18

Hermantown (25-5) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Hailey Menzel 7-1-0;
Jordyn Thomas 6-0-1; Sierra Bolen 6-0-1; Kiera Salo 5-0-0; Ellie
Gamradt 3-0-1; Alexa Sinner 1-1-0; Kylie Hoff 0-1-0; Totals 28-3-2.0.
(Assists) - Jordyn Thomas 12; Cassidy Kaneski 11. (Dig leaders) -
Hailey Menzel 9; Kylie Hoff 6

Concordia Academy (26-6) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Erin Fallert
14-3-0; Clara Paul 9-0-2; Annika Hegrenes 7-0-1; Anika Neuman 6-1-5;
Karlene Jensen 5-2-2; Elisabeth Tramm 4-0-2; Totals 45-6-6.0.
(Assists) - Elisabeth Tramm 37. (Dig leaders) - Erin Fallert 19;
Rachel TerHaar 10; Karlene Jensen 8

Site: St. Paul, MN (Xcel Energy Center)

Date: Nov 12, 2015   Attend:     Time: 1:00

Referees: Mark Schleisman, Matthew Heier