Recruiting Report: Braden Fitzjerrells (2016)

Two of the west central area's best teams squared off in Morris on Tuesday evening in a highly anticipated match. The outcome was a Sauk Centre victory over Morris-Chokio/Alberta by scores of 20-25, 25-17, 25-21, 18-25, 15-8. In a match full of ebbs and flows, several momentum shifts, and key runs, the fans for both squads at times were feeling very optimistic their team would be victorious by match end. The final frame, serving not only the decisive set, was a showcase of Sauk Centre's experience and determination. Nicole Kortan (5'10 | OH | 2019), a 2017 all-conference selection and Sauk Centre's go-to arm on the outside, decimated a few attempts by showing some power and range early in the fifth set that ultimately jumped the Mainstreeters out to a 12-3 advantage. Morris would earn five of the next six points, their final tally a kill from Kenzie Hockel (5'7 | OH | 2020) to force Sauk Centre into a timeout at 13-8. However, it was Sauk Centre's match to lose at that point with a commanding lead and they closed out the final two points with a block from Kortan and McKenna Westby (5'11 | MH | 2020) and then an overpass kill from Tori Peschel (5'9 | OH | 2020) to seal the win. Kortan finished with five kills in the fifth set alone. Eight of the final 15 points for the Mainstreeters were earned on Morris errors at the net or from their ball control. Credit Sauk Centre's ability to jump out early and sustain the pressure. The Morris effort looked promising in set one as the home team Tigers streaked to a 20-14 lead. Sauk Centre would not get closer than four points the rest of the set as kills by Bailey Marty (5'5 | OH | 2019) and Lexi Pew (5'11 | MH | 2020) gave Morris the advantage heading into the second frame. The Mainstreeters regrouped well in stabilizing their effort and forcing the Tigers into a few errors early in set two. A kill and two blocks from Sauk Centre increased their lead to 18-11. A four-point run late in the set maintained the comfortable lead, which was capped off by a Kortan kill to end the set. With momentum on their side, the Mainstreeters' set-three win looked much like the previous game. However, a late rally by Morris that included a kill from Sophia Carlsen (5'9 | MH | 2021) and two more from Hockel again shifted the flow back towards the Tigers. A Peschel kill earned the final point of set three for Sauk Centre but it was Morris, with their backs against the wall, that came out in set four to play some higher quality volleyball for the 25-18 win to push the match the distance. The balanced offensive effort combined with the defensive prowess of of Marty and Riley Decker (5'4 | Libero | 2019) showcased the improvement and growing depth of this young Tigers squad throughout set four. This time it was Hockel getting the final say with a kill for the final point and keeping the Tigers' hopes alive. Although the 15-8 final set dominance by the Mainstreeters closed out the win, this match was much more competitive from start to finish with each team at times imposing their will, earning tough points, winning long and exciting rallies, and displaying grit, athleticism, precision, and power. Key Performances Sauk Centre - The trifecta of hitters in Kortan, Peschel, and Paige Schwinghamer (5'10 | RH | 2019) had the Morris defense off balance at times throughout the match. These hitters complement each other well with their power, finesse, and fair amount of range. Also impressive was Westby as she went down with a set-one injury but returned later to be a force at the net from the middle position. Although she appeared to be hindered a bit she managed to set a good block and slow down or alter several attack attempts from Morris. Megan Klaphake (5'3 | Setter | 2020) was the catalyst to the Mainstreeters' offense while Reece Ritter (5'3 | Libero | 2019) showed great patience and poise in handling the majority of the ball control responsibilities. Morris-Chokio/Alberta - Decker did her best defensively to help keep her in team in the match. She led three Tigers with 20+ kills. Decker produced 28 digs as Hockel and Marty added 24 and 22, respectively. Offensively, three Tigers were in double digit kills with Pew leading the way with 13. Hockel contributed 12 overall to complete the match double-double while Carlsen add 11. Liz Dietz (5'6 | Setter | 2019) led in assists with 19 overall as LaRae Kram (5'6 | Setter | 2021) dished out 16. Sauk Centre improves to 12-1 on the season. Morris-Chokio/Alberta falls to 6-5 overall.