Hermantown Rolls Past Superior To Win Share of Lake Superior Conference Title

Wes Vork-NSO

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Oct 9, 2012

Wes Vork-NSO

HERMNTOWN – A huge throng of fans, parents night and a shot at clinching a share of the Lake Superior Conference Volleyball title all added up to an impressive 3-0 win for the Hermantown Hawk volleyball team over Superior on Tuesday night. The Hawks, by virtue of the win, clinched the LSC title, by beating the Spartans 25-12, 25-5 and 25-11.

It appeared at times like the raucous Hawks crowd rattled the visiting Spartans, who a year ago beat out Hermantown for the LSC crown. “Our fans have been great all year, they have a separate cheer for each one of us,” Stated senior outside hitter Stephanie Kallberg. “We feed off of each other, they get us going and then they feed off of us when we have good kills or make a great play.”

Hermantown Head Coach Sue Wasbotten agrees the home crowd helps out her team. “Several of the girls have mentioned that it means a lot (the fans) are here. This was a planned thing for them tonight where they all wear retro uniforms and the girls made rally caps for them to wear. It was fun for them and it worked out well”

Stephanie Kallberg did her best to make sure the title returned to Hermantown by pounding down 14 kills. However, not only did Kallberg have a huge night at the net, but many of the other Hawk players did as well. Joining the hit parade was; Nicole Kenzie who finished with 11 kills and Katie Thun who added nine kills.

While the law firm of Kallberg, Kenzie and Thun were patrolling the net, the Hawks were also impressive in other areas of the game such as their setting with Emily Neumann notching 23-set assists. Hermantown also got eight digs in the back row from Kaitlyn Paczynski.

Not lost in the shuffle was the Hawks impressive serving. Jessica Wasbotten let the group with 100% serving. With the game at 17-12, Wasbotten served out with eight straight points. In the second game Wasbotten pick up right where she left off by taking a 1-1 tie and adding ten straight points to give the Hawks an 11-1 lead en-route to the 25-5 win.

Kallberg credits a team approach as key to the 18-2 record the Hawks enjoy right now. “It’s been a very exciting season, we knew coming in we had a strong team and we would be able to connect with each other.” Kallberg added “We have talent, but more importantly it’s talking, working together, we are all really good friends, so it’s a good connection.”

The win improved the Hawks to 18-2 on the season with their only losses a tournament shortened match against Holy Angels Academy and a five-set loss to Greenway. Hermantown is now 5-0 in the LSC.

The Hawks and Greenway both play in the Esko tournament this weekend, and if both teams advance they could play one another again before the playoffs. “They are one of our two losses and it went five games, so it was pretty close; we would love to get another chance at them,” commented Kallberg.

I’m very happy where we are at right now, I just hope we keep building from here,” stated Coach Wasbotten. “We have the Esko tournament this weekend and we are hoping to get another shot at Greenway. They do things that give us fits and we do things that give them fits. We just have to be mentally tough and focused and I think we can come out on top.”

Wes Vork can be reached at wes@northlandsportsonline.com