State Tournament Analysis: Two Semifinal Matches Certain to Provide Balance and Drama Across the Net

<p>Day two of the state tournament is here and although some of the favorites advanced fairly unscathed, day one did have its share of drama with great comebacks and some surprising finishes. The semifinal round is certain to provide some high flying action and quite possibly some high intensity finishes. Here are two matches to keep an eye on.</p> <p><strong>CLASS AA</strong></p> <p><em><strong>Concordia vs. Stewartville</strong></em><br /> Both teams advanced with 3-0 sweeps of their quarterfinal opponents and next face off with a title match appearance on the line. Concordia enters that match at 22-6 and features one of the best six-rotation athletes competing this weekend in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="10088" first="Kira" last="Fallert"]</strong>. In quarterfinal action, the junior outside hitter led her team with 16 kills on a .256 attack percentage. She also collected 12 digs for the double-double. With 27 assists, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="71950" first="Brooke" last="Weichbrodt"]</strong> led the Concordia offense as <strong>Sydney Pelzer</strong> applied great pressure from the service line in leading her team with six service aces while also picking up 11 digs. <strong>Grace Landvik</strong> provided a remarkable defensive effort with 22 digs over the three sets, which helped keep their opponent to a .009 attack percentage for the match. For Stewartville, the state’s top-ranked class AA team, it was their two outside hitters that provided a great offensive punch as seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="10061" first="Kaitlyn" last="Prondzinski"]</strong> and <strong>Lily Welch</strong> terminated 22 of the Tigers’ 43 kills with 12 and 10 respectively. With a 10-plus assist per set average for the match, junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="71961" first="Jaidyn" last="Brower"]</strong> dished out 32 dimes to showcase why she is one of the best in the 2021 class. This semifinal match will feature Concordia’s stellar ball control game versus Stewartville’s offense that can be quite punishing at times. As Fallert will certainly get her opportunities (she had over twice as many attempts as any of her teammates in the quarterfinals), Concordia will need to get some help to keep Stewartville’s big block honest. Concordia’s supporting cast includes Pelzer, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="72801" first="Shaina" last="Zinter"]</strong> (6 kills in the quarterfinals), <strong>Maia Adams</strong>, and <strong>Emma Revoir</strong>. Combine increased balance in their offense with defense that can frustrate opponents and Concordia could find themselves competing for the crown tomorrow. For Stewartville, the middle position could be the x-factor as juniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="58016" first="Erin" last="Lamb"]</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="71952" first="Jolie" last="Stecher"]</strong> are relied upon in several facets. Both play six-rotations (uncommon for middles), they can put up a very imposing block, and they take swings from a variety of locations and through various tempos. If the Tigers, one of the favorites all season, can get these two dynamic athletes involved early and often then their chances to get to the championship match increase greatly. Both of these teams have signature strengths that involve some of the best volleyball athletes in the state. Tune in and be entertained. </p> <p><strong>CLASS A</strong></p> <p><em><strong>Medford vs. Waterville-Elysian-Morristown</strong></em><br /> Last year’s title chase came up short for Medford but they are back and looking much more assertive and intentional in their quest for the title. WEM is the highest ranked class A team left still in contention for a championship and Minnesota’s #2 team is showing they are for real. Both teams advanced through 3-0 results. Medord’s usual suspects were successful in the quarterfinals as they terminated the ball well and with great efficiency. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="71954" first="Kinsey" last="Cronin"]</strong> led the offensive effort with 15 kills on a .458 attack percetage. <strong>Emma Kniefel</strong> added 12 kills in taking the most swings for Medford with 30. She terminated at a .333 percentage. Both of them were highly impactful on the defensive side as well as Cronin led the team with two blocks while adding six digs and Kniefel collected 12 digs for the double-double stat line. Setter <strong>Morgan Langeslag</strong> had a huge match in leading the offense with 36 assists while also finishing among team leaders on defense with 14 digs. She was offensive as well as she added five kills on nine total attempts. WEM was led by their dynamic outside hitter in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="71956" first="Toryn" last="Richards"]</strong> as she hammered home 13 kills on a .354 attack efficiency. She also led her team defensively with 13 kills. Setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="72056" first="Ellie" last="Ready"]</strong> nearly earned a double-double with 28 assists and nine digs. Her steady distribution helped WEM to a respectable .264 attack percentage that featured an additional nine kills from <strong>Trista Hering</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="57523" first="Delaney" last="Donahue"]</strong>, and eight kills from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="72080" first="Kylie" last="Pittman"]</strong>. Balance and efficiecy will be key factors in this match as these two teams are relatively balanced in their personnel. If Medford can get increased production from additional attackers in <strong>Clara Kniefel</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="57525" first="Alyvia" last="Johnson"]</strong> then they will have opportunities to take this one. However, as WEM has prided themselves on these two aspects all season (with a 28-2 overall record) they may be a slight favorite. This one could have us on the edge of our seats from start to finish.</p>