2A State Championship: Hinton vs. Beckman Catholic

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thursday was filled with the best of the best in each class battling for a state title. These teams have worked incredibly hard all season long and have made it to the very end. In this matchup we have two teams that have major assets in different ways. #1 Hinton is coming in with much more height, but #3 Beckman Catholic is scrappy as all get out. This was definitely a match up you wouldn't want to miss. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">SET 1</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beckman started off with a cozy 4-point lead and the energy is definitely there for the Trailblazers. Hinton is a little taken aback from Beckman coming out so strong, but it doesn't take long for them to find some sort of groove. <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/jaylin-burkle/" data-type="players" data-id="955468">[player_tooltip player_id='955468' first='Jaylin' last='Burkle']</a> and Isabel Kluesner are being incredibly offensive right off the bat. Hinton quickly finds their way back into the game with <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/adalyn-ortegren/" data-type="players" data-id="902980">[player_tooltip player_id='902980' first='Addy' last='Ortegren']</a> starting to heat up. The Blackhawks manage to take the lead, forcing the Trailblazers to take a timeout (14-13). Beckman came out of the timeout finding <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/joy-burkle/" data-type="players" data-id="791383">[player_tooltip player_id='791383' first='Joy' last='Burkle']</a> and she was swinging away. We are going point for point in set 2. Bri Blush gets Beckman fired up and Hinton calls a timeout (17-19). Beckman comes out of the timeout and gets another point, getting the Trailblazers first to 20, but Hinton is close behind and finds a way to come back and tie it up. We go point for point while nearing the end of the second set and Isabel Kluesner comes up with a major kill followed by a monster block to pull Beckman ahead and gives them game point. The Trailblazers pull through and take the first set (25-23).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">SET 2</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams come into set 2 with precision and aggression. Hinton's defense is putting Beckman to the test and the Blackhawk offense is starting to find their groove. Hinton manages to go on a 5-point run, causing Beckman to call a timeout (8-11). <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/addison-dunkel/" data-type="players" data-id="902966">[player_tooltip player_id='902966' first='Addison' last='Dunkel']</a> comes out of the timeout with 2 aces, bumping Hinton up to a 5 point lead. Hinton has definitely started getting into a groove and Beckman can't quite find a way to respond. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks are putting the hammer down and create a bigger lead, forcing Beckman to use their second timeout (9-18). The Trailblazers started to work their way back after the timeout, but <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/elliotte-friessen/" data-type="players" data-id="769009">[player_tooltip player_id='769009' first='Ellie' last='Friessen']</a> refused to drop the set and racked up the kills and Hinton closes out set 2 (25-15)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">SET 3</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beckman comes into the 3rd set fired up and ready to bounce back after losing set 2. The Trailblazer's defense is completely locked in and we are seeing some fantastic hustle plays in the first 10 points. Their defense is refusing to let Hinton score and is playing incredibly scrappy volleyball. Beckman is quick to take the lead and Hinton decides to call a timeout (7-10). The Blackhawks are battling hard, but can't seem to close the gap and takes their second timeout (14-19). After the timeout Hinton slowly works their way back into the set, but Beckman capitalizes and Taylor Luensmann puts the ball away to give set 3 to Beckman (25-19).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">SET 4</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hinton knows that this is a make or break set for them and it shows. The Blackhawks were feisty and ready to take this match to a 5th. The Blackhawks take an early lead and Beckman is forced to take an early timeout (1-5). Hinton's offense does a great job of testing Beckman's defense and is finding the court well. The Trailblazers slowly work their way back into the set and are playing scrappy and put the pressure back on the Blackhawks. Hinton is facing a lot of confusion and frustration and has to call a timeout (12-14). They comne out of the timeout with 2 fantastic blocks and start to find their spark again. Beckman is starting to struggle to get a ball past Hinton's block and the Blackhawk's extend their lead. Beckman gets a big block of their own and gets them back within 3 and they start to go point for point. <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/raelyn-kempema/" data-type="players" data-id="775211">[player_tooltip player_id='837004' first='Raelyn' last='Kempema']</a> is shutting down Beckman's offense left and right and Hinton is the first to 20. Beckman is able to sneak in a few point after calling a timeout, but Hinton doesn't let up and forces Beckman into a 5th set (25-19).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">SET 5</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beckman comes into set 5 HOT with amazing back to back hustle plays that gets them the first 3 points. Hinton has a fantastic rally with a few hustle plays of their own to bet them on the board. <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/joy-burkle/" data-type="players" data-id="791383">[player_tooltip player_id='791383' first='Joy' last='Burkle']</a> heats back up after having a tough 4th set and Beckman is the first to 5 and Hinton is forced to call an early timeout (1-5) in hopes to settle down and settle in. <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/jaylin-burkle/" data-type="players" data-id="955468">[player_tooltip player_id='955468' first='Jaylin' last='Burkle']</a> went CRAZY in the back row with some insane digs and solid passes on serve receive. Hinton is getting their feet under them after a 3 point run, but a missed serve puts Beckman back at a 4 point lead with <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/jacey-burkle/" data-type="players" data-id="936357">[player_tooltip player_id='936357' first='Jacey' last='Burkle']</a> back to serve. The Trailblazers are the first to get to 10, but <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/elliotte-friessen/" data-type="players" data-id="769009">[player_tooltip player_id='769009' first='Ellie' last='Friessen']</a> helps the Blackhawks to get back within 3. An amazing dig by Addison Hogan and 2 errors by Hinton put Beckman 3 points away from the state title and Hinton calls a timeout (7-12). A beautiful kill by Kluesner gets Beckman 2 away, but Hinton isn't isn't going down without a fight and gets within 3. However, a kill from Kluesner and a kill from [player_tooltip player_id='791383' first='Joy' last='Burkle'] lead Beckman to take down #1 Hinton in 5 (15-10).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">STAT LEADERS</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Kills</em></strong>: <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/joy-burkle/" data-type="players" data-id="791383">[player_tooltip player_id='791383' first='Joy' last='Burkle']</a> (Beckman) &amp; <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/macie-charlson/" data-type="players" data-id="891592">[player_tooltip player_id='891592' first='Macie' last='Charlson']</a> (Hinton)- 20 kills, Isabel Kluesner (Beckman)- 16 kills, and <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/elliotte-friessen/" data-type="players" data-id="769009">[player_tooltip player_id='769009' first='Ellie' last='Friessen']</a> (Hinton)- 15 kills</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Digs</em></strong>: Addison Hogan (Beckman)- 29 digs, Brynlee Boeve (Hinton)- 26 digs, <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/jaylin-burkle/" data-type="players" data-id="955468">[player_tooltip player_id='955468' first='Jaylin' last='Burkle']</a> (Beckman) &amp; <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/addison-dunkel/" data-type="players" data-id="902966">[player_tooltip player_id='902966' first='Addison' last='Dunkel']</a> (Hinton)- 18 digs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Blocks</em></strong>: <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/elliotte-friessen/" data-type="players" data-id="769009">[player_tooltip player_id='769009' first='Ellie' last='Friessen']</a> (Hinton) &amp; <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/macie-charlson/" data-type="players" data-id="891592">[player_tooltip player_id='891592' first='Macie' last='Charlson']</a> (Hinton)- 5 blocks</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Assists</em></strong>: <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/addison-dunkel/" data-type="players" data-id="902966">[player_tooltip player_id='902966' first='Addison' last='Dunkel']</a> (Hinton)- 51 assists &amp; Addie Koelker (Beckman)- 50 assists</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->