27-2 Hawks Advance To Section 7AA Finals

Wes Vork-NSO

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Oct 31, 2012

Dwight Cadwell-NSO

The Hermantown Hawks started a little slow, but then built to a big finish to move one step closer to the Section 7AA title Wednesday night. The Hermantown Hawks swept the Cloquet Lumberjacks in three straight games to advance to the Section 7AA finals Saturday night at UMD.

Hermantown knocked off Cloquet 27-25 in the first game of the match, it was a 25-16 win in the second game of the match, and the Hawks completed the sweep with a 25-12 victory in game three of the set.

The Hawks jumped out fast in the first game of the match as they opened up a 9-1 lead early on. Katie Thun served seven straight serves as Hermantown took that early lead. Cloquet did show the grit that got them to the semi-finals by battling back in the first game of the match as they went on a 17-9 run to tie the game at 18-18.

Hermantown senior Katie Thun talked about the importance of winning that first tight game. “Winning that first one gave us the momentum we needed. Give Cloquet credit, they are a very good, very scrappy team; it was really good to get that momentum.”

The Hawks and the Lumberjacks traded points back and forth down the stretch and Cloquet took two leads late in the first game, but in the end, the Hawks prevailed as they went on to win by two at 27-25.

The second game of the match saw the Hawks once again jump out to an early lead as they moved out in front 12-6. Hermantown continued to add to their lead and they closed out the second game of the match with a 5-1 run for the 25-16 win.

The Hawks were looking for another fast start in the third game of the match like they had in the first two games. Cloquet however, held tough as neither team would take a big advantage until Hermantown broke things open in the third game of the match after going on a 8-1 run that put Hermantown ahead 18-10 as they would go on to the 13 point win.

In the 8-1 Hermantown run in the third game of the match, a huge spark came from the Hawks Nicole Kienzle. Kienzle had five blocks in the third game; but more impressive, is she had three consecutive blocks for the Hawks during the run for Hermantown. Kienzle then served out the final five points of the match which included one ace serve. Kienzle finished with 6 blocks on the night for Hermantown.

Hermantown Head Volleyball Coach Sue Wasbotten talked about Keinzle’s impressive game afterwards. “She had a huge game and her blocks helped open things up.” Adding, what is most impressive is her three consecutive blocks came at all three positions.”

Although her blocks gave the Hawks breathing room in the final game Kienzle said it really was more of a team effort. “The thing about our team is we really do play as a team. Without the setter setting, the hitters doing their job and the people providing the digs, my blocks wouldn’t have happened.”

Emily Neumann finished with 23 set assists and had 10 digs for Hermantown; Stephanie Kallberg had 13 kills, and it was Katie Thun who finished with 12 kills. The Hawks now improve to 27-2 overall on the season and will face Mora in the Section championship on Saturday at 6:00 pm at Duluth Denfeld.

Mora advanced to the section finals for the second straight year with a down to the wire hard fought 3-2 win over Greenway.

It was the Mustangs who ended the Hawks season last year in Grand Rapids with a 3-1 Semi-Final victory; something that is not lost on the Hawks. “That was definitely not a good feeling,” stated Thun. “It sure will provide added motivation for us.”

Her coach Wasbotten agreed. “It certainly will provide us with more incentive. We will need to come out better than we did tonight. We can’t start with lapses against good teams two times in a row and get by with it.” Adding, Mora plays well, they are athletic and play a very methodical game, we will need to play a complete game from beginning to end.”

The Lumberjacks were led by Alex Oakes, who finished with 19 set assists and 8 digs, she also had 2 ace serves in the loss for Cloquet. Kristie Wappes added 6 kills, Sami Westendorf had 7 kills and 9 digs, and it was Olivia Mayasich who added 7 kills for the Lumberjacks. Cloquet ends the season with an overall record of 15-14.

Dwight Cadwell can be reached at dwight@northlandsportsonline.com