Hawks Comeback ensure LSC Championship

Kerry Rodd-NSO

Trailing two games to none the Hermantown volleyball team needed something to change in their Lake Superior Conference match up with Cloquet.  They got just what they desired in game three and then used that momentum to pull away to a 3-2 victory over the Lumberjacks and in doing so they nabbed another LSC title.

Cloquet took games one and two by scores of; 25-21 and 25-19 and it appeared as if the Lumberjacks behind the strong play of Alex Oakes and Sami Westendorf might shut out the Hawks.  That changed when the Hawks took game three 25-18 and game four 25-22 before taking the final game 15-6.

Hailey Menzel and Kaitlyn Paczynski patrolled the net with 20 and 12 kills respectively in leading the Hawks, while teammate Carly Hanson was right behind with 11 kills.  Courtney Kaneski and Jillayne Gilbert added 13 digs in the back row for Hermantown and Emily Neumann was efficient running the offense with 47 set assists.

Cloquet was led by Alex Oakes and Sami Westendorf.  Oakes recorded 19 set assists, five blocks and 12 digs and Westendorf had 22 set assists, eight kills and 14 digs.  Hazel Erickson chipped in with seven kills and five ace serves and 12 digs and Katie Zezulka also was stellar in the back row with 23 digs.