State Tournament Quarters: 3A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are on to day two of the state tournament and thr 1A-3A classes are continuing to raise the bar. Every team has came on the court full of energy ready to get to work. With the end of their season on the line, all of these groups are playing like they were fighting for their life. There is passion, there were tears, and there was all around amazing volleyball. Here is a recap of two of the 3A matches: #4 Solon vs. #5 Humboldt and #2 MOC-Floyd Valley vs. #7 Wilton.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Wilton vs. MOC-Floyd Valley</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>MOC-Floyd comes out strong and starts going on run after run in the first set. Alaina Walker has some momentum shifting serves late in the first set, bringing Wilton alive and forcing MOC to take a timeout. [player_tooltip player_id='490009' first='Leah' last='Caffery'] does a fantastic job of moving the ball around and keeps all of her hitters active. However, it wasn't quite enough and MOC-Floyd takes set 1 25-17</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Beavers come out strong in the second set and go on a 4-point run right off the bat. The Dutchmen turn it around and go on a run of their own. Both teams are bringing their A game and going point for point in the second set. Everyone on Wilton is getting fired up and finding ways to contribute. MOC isn't really connecting offensively in the middle of the set, but they are making up for it with their defense and goes on a run, forcing Wilton to take a timeout at 18 all. Wilton tries to battle, but MOC goes on another run and doesn't let up and finishes set two 25-20.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Dutchmen come alive in set three and although Wilton goes point for point to start the set, they start to lose their fire, resulting in a lot of miscommunication and unforced errors. MOC goes on a 7 point run and forces Wilton into a timeout. Knowing that advancing to the semifinals was right in their grasp, MOC kicked it into high gear and made it incredibly hard for the Beavers to score. Wilton showed glimpses of fight that was still left in them, but the Dutchmen showed no signs of mercy and took set 3 25-14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">What lead the Dutchmen to get it done in 3?</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They stayed disciplined and never let a set get out of their control. They kept their errors to a minimum and put a lot of pressure on Wilton and made it incredibly tough for them to score all throughout the match. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Stat leaders:</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kills: Alaina Walker (Wilton), <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/deviryn-mccarty/" data-type="players" data-id="573313">[player_tooltip player_id='573313' first='Deviryn' last='McCarty']</a> (MOC), <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/lily-vander-pol/" data-type="players" data-id="493656">[player_tooltip player_id='493656' first='Lily' last='Vander Pol']</a> (MOC) all had 12 and [player_tooltip player_id='741261' first='Brielle' last='Hoegh'] (MOC) ended with 10.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Assists: <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/leah-caffery/" data-type="players" data-id="490009">[player_tooltip player_id='490009' first='Leah' last='Caffery']</a> (Wilton) with 23 assists and Macie Baker (MOC) ended with 22.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Digs: <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/kennedi-tyler/" data-type="players" data-id="770432">[player_tooltip player_id='770432' first='Kennedi' last='Tyler']</a> (Wilton) had 8 digs, Annie Holladay (Wilton) with 7, and [player_tooltip player_id='573313' first='Deviryn' last='McCarty'] (MOC) with 12 on the match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Marissa's players of the game:</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wilton: [player_tooltip player_id='490009' first='Leah' last='Caffery']- Leah did a fantastic job leading her team, not only as a setter, but as a captain. She never let up even when it was tough, and she gave every point her all and refused to let her team down. She continued to encourage her team and hold everyone accountable when they needed it most.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>MOC-Floyd: [player_tooltip player_id='741261' first='Brielle' last='Hoegh']- Hoegh was an absolute beast throughout the entire match and was finding ways to score left and right. She was working hard in transition and was always making herself an option for her setter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Humboldt vs. Solon</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams came out with aggression, but Humboldt's defense was giving Solon a run for their money. Stolon stayed aggressive throughout the first set, but they unfortunately couldn't get their feet under them quick enough and Humboldt was able to take the first set 25-17.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Humboldt came into the second set hot and was quick to go on a run. However, <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/zephie-bishop-2/" data-type="players" data-id="1017507">[player_tooltip player_id='1017507' first='Zephie' last='Bishop']</a> managed to heat up and get some points of her own. But unfortunately that wasn't enough to stop Humboldt's rein of terror. Addie Waldorf did a fantastic job of keeping all of her hitters active and she wasn't afraid to be an offensive threat as well. Humboldt managed to take set 2 25-19</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With their backs against the wall, the Spartans come into the 3rd set with a major aggression shift in their all around gameplay and manages to take a lead early in the 3rd set. It doesn't take long for Humboldt to start a comeback after a great mix of aggressive shots at the net. Solon is really starting to find their groove and their offense picking up the pace. <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/amelia-guinn/" data-type="players" data-id="754537">[player_tooltip player_id='754537' first='Amelia' last='Guinn']</a> and [player_tooltip player_id='1017507' first='Zephie' last='Bishop'] are holding it down at the net while Anabelle Boelkins and [player_tooltip player_id='1036948' first='Macy' last='Fuller'] get it done on defense. Although Humboldt came close to closing it out in 3, Solon was able to take the 3rd set 25-22</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Although Solon came out in the 4th ready to battle, Humboldt kicked it into high gear and hit the ground running. They managed to minimize errors and put a lot of pressure on Solon, causing a lot of frustration error for the Spartans. The Wildcats were able to come in and shut the Spartans down in the fourth 25-17.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">How did the Wildcats get it done in 4?</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wildcats played every single point like they were were fighting for a state championship. They stuck to what they knew they were good at and they managed to play clean cut volleyball all throughout the match. They were swinging aggressive and only pulled out shots when they needed to. Their defense didn't let up and they created a lot of trouble for Solon's offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Stat leaders:</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kills: <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/adelynn-goodell/" data-type="players" data-id="746258">[player_tooltip player_id='746258' first='Adelynn' last='Goodell']</a> (Humboldt) finished with 21 kills, <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/jazzie-dodd/" data-type="players" data-id="833174">[player_tooltip player_id='833174' first='Jazzie' last='Dodd']</a> (Humboldt) had 18 kills of her own, and <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/amelia-guinn/" data-type="players" data-id="754537">[player_tooltip player_id='754537' first='Amelia' last='Guinn']</a> (Solon) led the Spartans with 15 kills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Assists: <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/addison-waldorf-2/" data-type="players" data-id="918780">[player_tooltip player_id='545946' first='Addison' last='Waldorf']</a> (Humboldt) led the Wildcat offense with 44 assists, and <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/scarlett-ferin/" data-type="players" data-id="720363">Scarlett Feri</a>n (Solon) finished with 19 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Digs: <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/macy-fuller-2/" data-type="players" data-id="1036948">[player_tooltip player_id='1036948' first='Macy' last='Fuller']</a> (Solon) led the match with 26 digs, [player_tooltip player_id='833174' first='Jazzie' last='Dodd'] (Humboldt) had 20 digs, and <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/ryah-cirks/" data-type="players" data-id="993181">[player_tooltip player_id='993181' first='Ryah' last='Cirks']</a> (Humboldt) was right behind with 19.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Marissa's players of the game:</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Solon: Anabelle Boelkins- Boelkins was a predominant part of the Spartan's defense. The best part about watching her was the fact that she never gave up on a ball, no matter where it went. She made it very clear that she wasn't going to be the reason that the rally ended. Not only was her defense spectacular, but her service game was equally as good and she managed to keep Humboldt out of system with every serve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Humboldt: Addie Waldorf- Although everyone on the Wildcat roster deserves a shoutout, I have to give my props to Addie for her ability to run an offense so effectively. She moves the ball around so well and she makes it incredibly hard to read where she's going to go with her set. Not only is she a spectacular athlete, but she pairs it with being an amazing leader for the Wildcats.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->