Six Key Athletes from Week 1 of Sectionals

<p>We are in the thick of the postseason surge towards the state tournament. Week 1 of sectionals provided some high intensity drama that included a few upsets of some top-seeded and favored teams. The following is some player analysis of athletes that provided key individual performances that helped to clinch victories and extend seasons.</p> <p><em><strong>Colby Christensen</strong></em> - 5’10 | MH | 2020 | Litchfield <br /> Amassing 22 total kills in a 3-2 win over Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta, Christensen helped the Dragons advance in the Section 3AA bracket. Christensen is very effective through both quick tempo and higher and slower attack points in the middle. She transitions off the net well and makes herself available often. She has the footwork to get to the ball on balance that involves good synergy with her setter to create the spacing she needs to effectively swing around and through the defense. She terminates with good location and with decent pace on the ball. Undersized by middle hitter standards, she is the Dragons’ offensive leader. Litchfield next takes on top seeded New London-Spicer on Tuesday.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 1rem;"><em><strong>Lydia Hubbard</strong></em> - MH | 2021 | Pequot Lakes<br /> Hubbard and her Pequot Lakes teammates are the #2 seed in the Section 8AA bracket. In th</span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">eir second match of consecutive 3-0 postseason wins, Hubbard hammered 17 kills while hitting with great efficiency on a .536 clip. The junior middle creates a lot of opportunities for herself with h</span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">er quick transition off the net. Her high efficiency is a result of her transition work </span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">combined with good spacing, her quick elevation off the floor, and good extension through her arm swing. A 2018 all conference performer as a sophomore, she is certain land on that list once again this season given her high level of productivity from match to match. Their next match is Tuesday against upstart #14 seed Fergus Falls, a team that has earned back-to-back 3-0 upset sweeps in the first two rounds.</span></p> <p><em><strong>Delaney Issendorf</strong></em> - 5’9 | OH | 2021 | Lake City<br /> The #4-seeded Lake City Tigers defeated a tough Lewiston-Altura squad 3-2 to advance to the semifinal round in Section 2AA. Issendorf led the offense with 22 kills. A relentless attacker, she can score from different locations and through varying set tempos. What really benefits her is her vision and understanding of what is in front of her on the defensive side. She has good control of her arm to adjust the pace and trajectory to move the ball around, which leads to points or putting pressure on the opponent’s defense-to-transition work. Her vision and control will need to be at its best in their upcoming match on Halloween this Thursday as they will take on length and athleticism of top-ranked and top-seeded Stewartville.</p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="57484" first="Mikayla" last="Coops"]</strong></em> - 5’9 | RS | 2020 | Belle Plaine<br /> Coops led her squad with 12 kills on a .500 attack percentage as the Tigers defeated Holy Family 3-0. Her individual effort also included a team leading 10 digs and three service aces. The senior opposite has been one of the Tigers best individual performers and is certain to garner more individual awards upon the conclusion of the season. She was a 2018 all-conference and all-state 1st team selection. The lefty is a difficult matchup for opposing defenses given her athleticism and court savvy. She is winding down a great prep career and looks to extend the #10 ranked Tigers’ season to a return trip to the state tournament. Belle Plaine next takes on the #6 seed in Norwood Young America in Section 2AA quarterfinal action on Tuesday.</p> <p><em><strong>Grace Collins</strong></em> - S | 2022 &amp; <em><strong>Maret Gjerde</strong></em> - OH | 2021 | Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg<br /> Just a sophomore, Collins has been leading KMS offense all season. In their recent 3-1 win over Benson she dished out 41 total assists in helping to propel the #7 seed in Section 5A to the next round where they will face off against #2 seeded Browerville on Tuesday. Gjerde had a big match as well as she collected 31 digs to go along with eight kills and two service aces. Both athletes have filled key roles for the Saints following the graduation of four core members and are gaining experience that will undoubtedly benefit them throughout this week and throughout their prep careers. </p>