Vikings sweep by Wabasso in season opener

Minneota lost several outstanding players to graduation, but the Vikings still looked solid Tuesday night as evidenced by a 25-14, 25-15, 25-14 non-conference sweep of Wabasso in their season and home opener.

"I thought we had great leadership from those that played last year,
said head coach Hayley Fruin. "But it was also nice to see the ones that haven't really played come out and step up as well."

Ireland Stassen, a mainstay from last season's state runner-up team, has stepped up to the leadership role as one of only three seniors on this year's team. The versatile setter amassed 18 assists, four kills, five digs, an ace block and an ace serve.

Ella Johnson, a junior hitter, also was a key contributor last season and paced the Vikings with 10 kills and ace block in this match. Elivia Faris, a sophomore who came on strong late last season, delivered nine kills.

Junior hitter Emma Bottelberghe finished with five kills, while senior Megan Krog and junior Kenadi Arndt had three kills apiece.

Dakoda Hennen, a junior, sliced up the Rabbits' defense with five ace serves while also contributing four digs. Sophomore libero Lyzah Sussner played solid defense and led the Vikings with 14 digs. Freshman Abby Rolbiecki had six digs and an ace. Junior Grace Hennen added three digs.

The Vikings (1-0) never trailed in any of the three sets.

In the first set, Minneota built a 22-11 before Wabasso strung together three straight points to make if 22-14. Johnson's kill on an overpass stopped the Rabbits' mini rally and the Vikings closed out the set on a Wabasso hitting error and a thunderous cross-court kill by Faris.

Leading 5-4 in the second set, the Vikings began rolling and got kills from Johnson, Faris and Bottelberghe en route to a 14-8 lead. A kill by Krog closed out the set.

The Vikings scored the final five points of the final set to cap the sweep.

The Vikings host Dawson-Boyd in a Camden Conference match on Thursday night.

Minneota 3, Wabasso 0
Wabasso.................. 14 15 14
Minneota................. 25 25 25

MINNEOTA STATISTICS
Serving (aces): Dakoda Hennen 5, Abby Rolbiecki 1, Ireland Stassen 1
Setting (assists): Ireland Stassen 18, Nevaeh Hennen 12
Kills: Ella Johnson 10, Elivia Faris 9, Emma Bottelberghe 5, Ireland Stassen 4, Megan Krog 3, Kenadi Arndt 3
Blocks (aces): Ella Johnson 1, Ireland Stassen 1, Kenadi Arndt 1
Digs: Lyzah Sussner 14, Abby Rolbiecki 6, Ireland Stassen 5, Dakoda Hennen 4, Grace Hennen 3