Weekend Highlight: Lincoln Lutheran Downs Top Ranked Malcolm

<p><strong>Lincoln Lutheran knocks off #1 Malcolm at the Clipper’s Host Tournament</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/FullSizeRender-1.jpg"></a></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400">The Malcolm Booster Invite tournament started on Thursday evening, then concluded early Saturday afternoon. The host and top ranked class C1 Malcolm Clippers ended up playing the 5th ranked Lincoln Lutheran Warriors, also out of class C1 in the championship match. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400">Both Malcolm and Lincoln Lutheran were still undefeated going into the championship match, meaning one of them would have to drop their first match of the season. Lincoln Lutheran came out on top in an almost shocking fashion. The Warriors downed the Clippers on their home floor 25-19, 25-14 in the title match. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400">Lutheran started off the match strong and kept that momentum all the way through. While watching the 2 teams warm up, you knew that Malcolm’s </span><b>Jaela Zimmerman</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> and Lutheran’s </span><b>Marriah Buss</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> would be exchanging kills back and forth throughout the whole match and that’s exactly what happened. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400">Malcolm had absolutely no answer for Marriah Buss in the 2 set match and Buss slammed down 16 kills to lead the Warriors. Jaela Zimmerman led the Clippers with 13 kills, but Malcolm couldn’t find a rhythm or keep a lead throughout the entire match. Not only were the Warriors dominating with their attacking, they were picking up almost everything on defense as well. Lutheran’s setter </span><b>Hope Leimbach</b><span style="font-weight: 400">, libero </span><b>Erin Williams</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> as well as defensive specialists </span><b>Megan Garbe</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> and </span><b>Lexie Kriezel</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> were picking up almost everything hit and tipped at them in the back row. Not only was the Warrior’s offense on fire, but their defense was incredible as well and that helped Leimbach run almost every offensive option possible. Senior middle</span><b> Kayla Ernstmeyer</b><span style="font-weight: 400"> put away the final 2 kills to give Lincoln Lutheran a thrilling finish on match point. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400">After knocking off the top team in the state, Lincoln Lutheran is now 10-0 after a successful start to the season. The Warriors have only dropped 3 sets so far on the year. They hope to continue their success Tuesday night at Auburn, then at Omaha Concordia the following Tuesday night. </span></p>