The Mainstreeters came into the game with a 15-0 record and had lost just one game all year, that to the 9-6 Dutchmen in the Sauk Rapids Tournament.
After winning game won handily, Sauk Centre suffered their second loss of the season when Melrose rallied behind the powerful hitting of Briana Schmiesing, Shelby Uphoff and Brenna Pierskalla. Sauk won game one 25-13 only to see the Lady Dutchmen win game two 25-18.
In an ever-important battle for momentum, Sauk's effort in game three looked much like their effort in game one. Ashley Kollman and Kendra Zenzen stepped up their games as Melrose keyed on middle hitter Macy Weller. Weller still got her share of kills, but setter Jena Klaphake knew to spread the ball to the outside to keep the Melrose defense guessing. Sauk prevailed with a 25-14 win.
Defensively, the Streeters were outstanding in game three. Katie Reitsma, Klaphake and Zenzen all came up with some big saves to keep volleys alive.
But in game four, the Lady Dutchmen stormed right back, handing Sauk a 25-22 loss. That set up the deciding game five, a race to 15 that at this point was anybody's ball game.
The gym was as loud as its ever been at Melrose High School, but Sauk quited the crowd somewhat as they staked themselves to a 6-2 lead. But a Uphoff and Schmiesing each had big kills as Melrose crept back to tie it 8-8 and eventually take an 11-9 lead.
Trailing 13-12, Brianna Von Wahlde came up with a big block for the Streeters, earning them back the serve and more importantly getting Weller back into the front row rotation. Sauk would score the next two points, the last coming from Weller for a 15-13 win.
We will have much more on this game in next week's Sauk Centre Herald.
Weller led the Streeters with 18 kills, and Kollman turned in a season-high with 16. Zenzen added 11 to help lead the offensive effort.
Klaphake was outstanding, not just setting the ball, but making several great plays at the net. She finished with 46 assists as she builds on her school record total. Libero Katie Reitsma led the squad with 22 digs, many coming off hard hits by Melrose's big three. Kollman had 14 digs and Zenzen and Klaphake each had 13. Both teams were outstanding defensively.
Kollman and Zenzen were both outstanding for the Streeters tonight.
It was Sauk's first real test of the season, and although they passed with a win, there is no doubt they' rather dispose of opponents by a bigger margin than a 2-point win in game five.
But as they progress down the road to what they hope leads to the Xcel Energy Center, they will have to play in these type of games where there is a sense of urgency to get the job done. They showed they could play under pressure tonight, being behind in the deciding game but still coming back to win.
Kudos to the Lady Dutchmen as well. They are a good team who could go deep into the playoffs. In fact, we could very well see these two teams go at it come section playoff time.
If its anything like tonight's match up, it will be a match to remember.
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| Ashley Kollman is pumped after one of her 16 kills. |
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| Macy weller turned in another stellar peformance with 18 kills. Above she gets a set from Liz Ellens. |
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| Weller with a tip. |
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| Zenzen goes up for a kill. |
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