Vikings fall in 5 to Mayer in opener
Despite taking a strong Mayer Lutheran team to five sets, Minneota succumbed to the Knights on Saturday in Hopkins. Mayer Lutheran won the first, third and final set to prevail 25-20, 20-25, 25-21, 20-25, 15-10.
"I saw a lot of positive things from our match," said Minneota coach Hayley Fruin. "But definitely areas that we need to work on and improve as well."
The Vikings, who won consecutive Class A titles in 2018 and 2019, were denied a chance at a threepeat by the pandemic restrictions last season. So, optimism was high this season with five starters returning.
The Vikings made some costly errors against Mayer Lutheran that they are unaccustomed to.
"Against a tough Mayer Lutheran team, we had moments where we had four, five, six errors in a row and we can't do that against a team like that," Fruin said. "We need every player to contribute in a match like that and I think that is where we fell a little short."
Ireland Stassen pounded down 19 kills and chalked up 19 assist and three blocks for the Vikings. Natalee Rolbiecki added 18 kills and 24 digs. McKenna Yost had 29 assists. Abby Frie contributed six kills and three blocks.
"Ireland and Natalee did a great job offensively," Fruin noted. "They kept swinging, even with some size on the other side, and stayed aggressive. McKenna and Ireland did a nice job spreading the ball around."
McKenzie Tolk led the Vikings with 25 digs. Yost finished with 21 and Lyzah Sussner had 19.
"I thought defensively we did a great job of covering the court," Fruin noted. "We struggled with serve receive and against a team like that with size, it makes it too easy for them to set their block.
"McKenzie and Lyzah defended so well. Mayer has quite a few threats so there were times when there was a solo block, but both of them really stepped it up in the back row in those situations."
Fruin noted that Ella Johnson performed well in her varsity debut.
"She has made big improvements from day one and will only continue to get better," Fruin said.
Minneota...........................20 25 21 25 10
Mayer Lutheran.................25 20 25 20 15
Minneota leaders:
Serving - Ireland Stassen 16-16-0, McKenzie Tolk 12-13-2, McKenna Yost 26-26-1
Setting (assists) - McKenna Yost 29, Ireland Stassen 19
Attacks (kills) - Ireland Stassen 19, Natalee Rolbiecki 18, Abby Frie 6
Blocks - Ireland Stassen 3, Abby Frie 3, Natalee Rolbiecki 1
Digs - McKenzie Tolk 25, Natalee Rolbiecki 24, McKenna Yost 21, Lyzah Sussner 19