2A Hawley Dominates New London-Spicer in Opening Round

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: digdakotas30 in the coupon code area   The Minnesota 2A State Volleyball Tournament opens with fireworks, and Hawley delivers one of the first statement wins of the day. Behind an explosive offensive performance and a relentless defensive effort, the Nuggets sweep New London-Spicer in straight sets—25-18, 25-18, 25-15—to advance to the next round.   Inside the roar of the Xcel Energy Center, the Hawley faithful rise early and stay loud, watching their team set the tone for what could be a special tournament run. From the first serve, Hawley controls the flow, showing poise, precision, and that signature defensive grit that's defined their season.   Hawley wastes no time taking command of the opening set. Setter Sella Fleming wastes no motion as she pushes tempo and keeps her hitters in rhythm. Her hands are clean and confident, setting the tone for an offense that runs smoothly from both pins. Fleming finishes the match with 29 assists, orchestrating an attack that leaves New London-Spicer's defense scrambling.   Outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='731839' first='Katie' last='Vetter'] wastes no time finding her groove. She swings with confidence and range, mixing power and placement to rack up early kills. By set's end, Vetter already has several of her team-high 13 kills, and she does it against a defense that rarely gives easy points. Her crosscourt swing is on point, and her ability to tool the block frustrates New London-Spicer's front line.   New London-Spicer fights to find footing behind their balanced trio of Autumn Tortorella, Adeline Olson, and Ayla Castea—each finishing with six kills apiece. The Wildcats pass well enough to stay competitive, but Hawley's block and floor defense absorb everything thrown their way.   Defensively, [player_tooltip player_id='794381' first='Hannah' last='Stotts'] shines early. The senior libero reads hitters perfectly, covering tips, tooling coverage, and passing nails to keep Fleming in system. She finishes the match with 14 digs, while Vetter adds 12 more in a strong two-way showing. Hawley pulls away late in the set, using crisp ball control and transition offense to take the opener, 25-18.   The second set mirrors the first, as Hawley continues to execute with composure and energy. Their serve receive stays steady, and their transition game fires on all cylinders. Fleming continues to distribute with precision—mixing in quicks, high outsides, and back sets to keep the Wildcats guessing. Every swing seems purposeful, every rally fueled by crisp communication and disciplined play.   New London-Spicer responds with its best rhythm of the match. Setter Ezri Boelter runs the offense with determination, racking up 24 assists while feeding all three primary attackers. Castea and Olson start finding seams in Hawley's block, hitting smartly off hands and deep corners. Defensively, Brooke Barney and Castea combine for 32 digs—each finishing with 16—as they keep rallies alive and refuse to let the ball hit the floor easily.   But Hawley's offense is too steady to slow down for long. Vetter continues to swing efficiently from both the front and back row, showing why she's one of the most complete players on the floor. Fleming finds her middle and right-side options in key moments, keeping the Wildcats off balance and unable to commit to one attacker.   As the set progresses, Hawley's defensive intensity grows. Stotts digs rockets from the back row, while Vetter and her teammates close the net with timing and discipline. Every defensive stop feeds into transition points, and the Nuggets' bench erupts after every big rally. Fleming feeds Vetter on the left pin for set point, and the junior buries it down the line—25-18, Hawley again.   With momentum fully on their side, Hawley comes out determined to finish the job in three. Their serve pressure increases, forcing New London-Spicer out of system and limiting Boelter's offensive options. Fleming senses it immediately, pushing the pace even faster and attacking seams in the defense.   The result? A third set that belongs entirely to the Nuggets. Vetter continues her dominance, finding the floor with every swing—crosscourt, sharp angle, and off the block. Her ability to adjust mid-air and make smart decisions exemplifies her volleyball IQ and leadership.   Behind her, Stotts anchors the defense with poise beyond measure, keeping the backcourt organized while picking up every deflection. Fleming keeps racking up assists, threading perfect balls to her hitters no matter the pass quality. The chemistry between setter and hitters is undeniable; it's the kind of connection that carries teams deep in November.   New London-Spicer keeps fighting, led by Tortorella's six kills and Barney's relentless defensive effort. The Wildcats refuse to back down, even when the score stretches wide. Their scrappy play and team unity earn respect from the crowd, even as Hawley begins to pull away.   The Nuggets, however, are too clean in execution and too steady in their system. With confidence and precision, they close the door 25-15, punctuating the sweep in style.   For Hawley, this win is about more than advancing—it's a statement that their formula works. Fleming's 29 assists highlight just how smooth this offense runs, and her command on the court elevates everyone around her. Vetter's 13 kills and 12 digs show her complete impact on both sides of the net. And Stotts, as steady as ever, leads the defensive charge with 14 digs, keeping her team organized and unfazed under pressure.   What sets this group apart is balance. Every piece clicks: the serve receive is consistent, the setters' decisions are quick, and the hitters trust each other to finish plays. Hawley never looks rattled; even when New London-Spicer pushes back, the Nuggets respond with composure and confidence.   Their energy feeds off one another—bench players jumping in celebration, communication never faltering, and a sense of unity that shows exactly why this team sits among Minnesota's best.   Though the scoreboard doesn't go their way, New London-Spicer plays with grit and heart from start to finish. Boelter's 24 assists demonstrate her ability to keep her offense engaged, while Tortorella, Olson, and Castea's six kills apiece show the team's balanced attack. Defensively, Barney and Castea both record 16 digs, covering tips, lines, and off-speed shots with resilience. It's the type of team effort that reflects a season built on toughness and teamwork.   With this sweep, Hawley moves one step closer to its ultimate goal—a spot in the 2A State Championship match. Their chemistry, discipline, and ability to control momentum will be key in the rounds ahead. If today's performance is any indication, this is a team capable of making a deep run.   As fans file out of the arena, one thing is clear: Hawley Volleyball is locked in. Their precision, power, and passion are firing at full force—and 2A volleyball in Minnesota just got even more exciting. ~Theresa @prepdigdakotas   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/10/image_e42f4e.png" alt="This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is image_e42f4e.png" style="width:91px;height:auto" /></figure>   <a href="https://prepdig.com/events/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The 2025 Prep Dig Exposure Tour is officially LIVE!</a>   We're hitting 20+ cities across the country this winter to give athletes a platform to compete, get seen, level up and get on coaches radar.   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Every player deserves a shot, and I'm honored to help tell their stories.</h2>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Please help us continue to grow this positive platform for players by spreading the word and encouraging your friends to subscribe at <a href="https://prepdig.com/">PrepDig.com.</a> With your support, we can create unforgettable memories and experiences!</h2>   This journey is created by the village—athletes, coaches, families, and subscribers.   Thank you for making it all possible! ~ Theresa Hickman   Follow on Instagram@prepdigdakotas

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