5 Set Superstars

<p>These team proved they have what it takes to outlast their competitors.  When a match goes to five sets, it takes a lot more to come out on top.  It tests you physically and emotionally.  The constant change in momentum is hard for some to overcome; but not these teams or their athletes.  </p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><strong>Melrose </strong>over Morris Area/Chokio Alberta (</em></span>25-21,17-25, 25-16, 18-25,15-13)  Thanks to the live streaming this year, we can be at nearly every match.  Word spread quickly when Melrose beat Morris Area in five.  </p> <p>[embed]https://youtu.be/ercRMjAoSTc[/embed]</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><strong>Caledonia</strong> over Lewiston Altura</em><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> (25-22, 20-25, 25-10, 16-25, 15-7) Caledonia looked confident despite losing the second set.  They are rebuilding their team and used a few more subs than normal.  Lewiston Altura looked strong at the net, but struggled on defense and couldn’t overcome big runs.</span></span></p> <ul> <li><strong>Dana Augedahl</strong> (Cal.) 11 kills, 11 digs</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><strong>Randolph </strong>over Southlan</em><em>d</em> </span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">(25-18, 22-25, 17-25, 25-15, 15-11) This five set thriller looked to be done in four sets as Southland dropped the first set, but won the next two.  Then Randolph was able to eliminate unforced errors and took over.  Match MVP was Baily Johnson of Southland.</span></p> <ul> <li><strong>Bailey Johnson</strong><em> (Southland)</em> 17 kills, 4.5 blocks, 4 aces;</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><strong>Dover Eyota </strong>over St Charles </em></span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">(22-25, 18-25, 25-18, 25-15, 19-17)  This was a match that had fans on edge the entire time (over an hour and a half.)  St Charles was up two sets, but didn’t have the ability to finish as Dover gained momentum and confidence taking the next three sets.  Dover was much stronger at the net with big blocking a handful of effective hitters.  Dover’s setter Bannitt, executed their offense flawlessly.</span></p> <ul> <li> Dover Eyota: <strong>Erika Banitt</strong> 47 assists; aces<strong>; Lexy Williams</strong> 18 kills, 1 ace; <strong>Laurie Dessner</strong> 14 kills, 8.5 block</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>St. Louis Park</strong><em> over Chanhassen<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> (26-24, 23-25, 20-25, 25-17, 15-11)</span></em><span style="font-size: 12pt;">  This match really could have gone either way.  There were numerous lead changes.</span></span></p> <ul> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="58052" first="Hannah" last="Howell"]; [player_tooltip player_id="71967" first="Raegan" last="Alexander"]</strong></li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Luverne</strong><em> over Windom <span style="font-size: 12pt;">(23-25, 28-26, 25-17, 14-25, 15-12) </span></em><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Windom showed a lot of grit as they tried to carry the power of the fourth set into the last, but it wasn’t enough as Luverne dominated from the serving line and on offense.</span></span></p> <ul> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="58052" first="Hannah" last="Howell"]; [player_tooltip player_id="71967" first="Raegan" last="Alexander"]</strong></li> </ul>