Nobody said the path to a state title was going to be easy, and the Sauk Centre Mainstreeters are certainly learning that this year. First they knocked off the defending state champion Marshall Tigers 3-1, but now must face undefeated Wadena-Deer Creek, a team receiving statewide attention, and the Cinderella story everyone is rooting for considering what they went through as a community this summer when a tornado ravaged their town.
But once the first serve is lofted over the net, records, tonrados, and everything else simply does not matter. As we saw yesterday against Marshall, it's whoever wants it more. The Streeters continue to get better every game out. Last night in a conversation with head coach Jim Klaphake, he stressed how the team just keep playing better as the season goes on. At first there best performance was against Rocori in the section finals. Then they topped that against Marshall last night.
Can they do it again against the unbeaten Wolverines?
We will see......and that's the fun part....watching these girls get after it night after night.
Keys to the game:
Wadena comes in witht heir top player at 6-feet tall. Sauk counters with 6'1" Kali Peschel who had a team-high 17 kills last night and is closing in on 300 for the season. The next tallest girl for the Wolverines is 5'9" Kelsi Crawford, who entered state tourney play with 192 kills. Junior Brittney Noon (5'7") is the Wolverines' leading hitter with 276 kills. Wadena has four seniors who start and have not lost all season.
The Streeters counter with the 1-2 punch of Peschel and Macy Weller (5'10"). Weller recorded 12 kills last night to put her at 202 for the season. The key will be ball control. In last night's first game Marshall took advanatage of Sauk playing on their heels. If Sauk can do a good job on serve receive early and get the ballto setters Jena Klaphake and Lexie Berscheit, Wadena may be hard pressed to stop the Peschel-Welle combo.
Defense has been the key for Sauk all season. Last night they outblocked Marshall 32-6. if they can double up on Wadena in that category tonight, Sauk has a legitimate chance at beating the undefeated Wolverines and playing in their first ever state champion game.
Here we go with the play by play......
Teams are warming up now. Sauk looks to have a definite height advantage, but rumor has it that Wadena is very athletic. We'll see...
Okay, this is the longest warm up EVER. Lets get this game going. The nerves are a little frayed!
Here we go with the play by play......
Teams are warming up now. Sauk looks to have a definite height advantage, but rumor has it that Wadena is very athletic. We'll see...
Okay, this is the longest warm up EVER. Lets get this game going. The nerves are a little frayed!
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