FDLTCC Volleyball Falls 3-0 To Rainy River

Wes Vork-NSO

For Additional Photos Click Here To View Our Photo Gallery

Sept 2

Dwight Cadwell-NSO

The FDLTCC volleyball team was looking to follow up on their first win to start their first season. However, the Voyageurs from Rainy River Community College would spoil the Thunders hope to go 2-0 on the season. The Voyageures downed the Thunder 3-0 Wednesday night at the Lester Jack Briggs Cultural Center Gymnasium.

The Thunder, playing in front of a very loud and vocal home crowd, would drop the opening game 25-20. They then jumped out front in the second game leading at one point 15-4 and later by a score of 18-11, but the Voyageurs would fight back and outscore the Thunder 26-24.

“They came out and hit the ball, passed the ball and basically outplayed us at times tonight,” head coach Mike Patenaude told Northland Sports Online. “We had some mental lapses tonight that cost us, but Rainy River is a well coached team that plays very good,” Patenaude added.

The Thunder would lose their steam after that heartbreaking loss in the second game, falling 25-13 in the third game to seal the three-game sweep for Rainy River. The Thunder falls to 1-1 on the season and play only gets tougher as they host the defending state champion, Hibbing Community College, on Friday night at FDLTCC.

“We are heading right into the fire,” Patenaude mentioned to NSO. “Friday we play one of the best and strongest teams we will face all year.” Dakota Johnson from Floodwood led the Thunder in serving with a percentage of 100. Jess Minotte of Duluth had 14 set assists and 11 digs. Jenny Pederson from Albrook came up with 14 digs, and Heidi Jurek of Wrenshall finished with 7 kills and 11 digs.

The Thunder is in action Friday as they host Hibbing CC at 6:30 at the Lester Jack Briggs Cultural Center Gymnasium. They will host Vermilion on Wednesday, September 9th after that they have their next seven matches away.

Dwight Cadwell can be reached at dwight@northlandsportsonline.com