Semifinal Standouts Send Valle, Rock Port to Class 1 Championship

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Valle Catholic and Rock Port are headed to the Class 1 championship after contrasting semifinal victories. Valle outlasted Winona in a five-set thriller, while Rock Port swept Billings to earn its first championship appearance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Valle Catholic opened the day with a 25-16, 25-19, 23-25, 23-25, 15-9 win over Winona. Rock Port followed with a 25-18, 27-25, 25-15 victory over Billings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lexie Rayoum — Valle Catholic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rayoum made her presence felt early and helped guide Valle to the championship match, finishing with 30 kills on .292 hitting, three blocks, and three digs. Valle's decision to use her on the right pin created a favorable matchup against Winona's pin hitters and gave the Warriors another effective attacking option.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ada Bley — Valle Catholic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bley was one of two players in the semifinal to record a double-double, finishing with 15 kills, 35 digs, and two blocks. Her strong defense extended rallies and gave Valle's hitters more chances to attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Reece Weiler — Valle Catholic</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Weiler made smart decisions and kept Winona's block from focusing solely on Valle's top hitters. She finished with 67 assists and 25 digs. Valle will need another double-double tomorrow if it wants to claim the top prize.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Valle Catholic defense</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Valle's defense totaled 183 digs, led by Hayden Vaethwith 42, Bley with 35, Addison Weibrecht with 26, and Weiler with 25. That relentless defense helped the Crusaders keep attacking, finishing with 280 swings and 80 kills. Another big defensive game tomorrow in the championship could mean Valle wins the title. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sadie Kile — Winona</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wildcats' pin hitter took time to find her rhythm but finished strong with 26 kills and 28 digs, one of three double-doubles for Winona. Kile has won a state title and finished as a runner-up; she'll now look to add a third-place medal to her collection.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lauren Martin — Winona</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Martin also recorded a double-double, with 15 kills and 26 digs. At last year's Final Four, she delivered two strong performances as Winona finished second. Martin will have the chance to finish the season with a win and a third-place finish. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bristol Lay — Winona</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lay helped spark Winona in the third and fourth sets by mixing up her sets and giving the Wildcats more ways to attack. The 2028 setter finished with 48 assists and 21 digs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ashlynn Johnson — Billings</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2030 outside hitter made a solid Final Four debut, hitting .357 with seven kills, three assists, and three digs. Two key kills in the second set helped Billings push the score into extra points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alexa Garbee — Billings</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Garbee took some time to settle into the match but still nearly recorded a triple-double, finishing with 17 kills, 10 digs and nine assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kinley Lair — Rock Port</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-foot-1 middle was a force throughout Rock Port's semifinal win, recording 10 kills on .350 hitting, three blocks, and two digs. Her matchup with Valle's big hitters will be one to watch in the championship. If Rock Port wants the title tomorrow, Kinley must be big in the middle again. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Braylyn Wood — Rock Port</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wood delivered on the big stage, recording a double-double in the sweep. The 5-foot-11 pin finished with 13 kills on .333 hitting, an ace, two blocks, and 12 digs. Rock Port will look to her for another big performance in the title match. Braylyn will be key in the finals, both on the outside and on defense. With another strong performance, Rock Port could be crowned Class 1 champs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Raylynn Jenkins — Rock Port</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In her first Final Four appearance, Jenkins contributed in several ways, finishing with three kills on .375 hitting, 17 assists, and seven digs. Rock Port will need another all-around effort from its setter as it pursues the program's first state title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->