Lady Spartans Win Region XIII Championship

The M State volleyball team won the Region 13A championship on Saturday afternoon in Fergus Falls, beating Rochester in a 5-set thriller.  Rochester got the first set 25-20, but M State took the second set 25-19.  After losing the third set 25-21 the Spartans came back with a 25-23 win in the fourth set to force the decisive fifth set which M State won in dramatic fashion, 19-17 to take the match 3-2.

"From the moment we found out we were going to be hosting the Regional Tournament, we were determined to win it all," said head volleyball coach Abby Crowser of the lady Spartans. "We knew it wasn't going to be easy and it was going to be challenging, but having the home court advantage and our fans in attendance was an opportunity we were not going to waste. After winning our first playoff match against Century College on Friday, we were ready to battle it out with Rochester for the championship. It was back and forth between the first four sets, but before the start of the fifth we were composed because we have been in that situation numerous times this year. The team never gave up and fought so hard even when we were down 14-12. Emily Dehler was phenomenal and got kills when we needed them most and the last few rallies the team just did whatever it took to keep the ball from hitting the floor. Their teamwork was outstanding and together they made the win happen."

M State served 90.9% (100/110) for the match.  They were led by Bailey Marty (20/20) and Emily Condon (16/16) who were both perfect on the line.  Avery Wanner (17/18) and Jayna Gronewold (13/15) were also very efficient on the night.  Kaia Strom served up 5 aces, while Condon and Alaina Anderson had 2 aces each.

Marty came up with 41 digs to lead the defensive effort.  Gronewold and Strom had 18 apiece, Condon finished with 17 and Wanner wound up with 11.

Strom distributed 46 set assists.  Top hitters were Dehler (14 kills, 3 blocks), Anya Maack (10 kills, 6 blocks), Condon (10 kills), Brooke Hovland (9 kills, 3 blocks) and Anderson (5 kills, 6 blocks).  Strom also contributed a pair of blocks.

Spartans Bailey Marty, Kaia Strom, and Emily Dehler were named to the Region XIII All Tournament Team for their outstanding performances over the weekend.

The lady Spartans won their Region XIII A semifinal battle with Century College on Friday night at M State in Fergus Falls, posting wins of 25-21, 25-16 and 25-23 to advance to the Region Championship.

Kaia Strom distributed 27 set assists and Anya Maack led the attack with 10 kills, 5 solo blocks and 1 block assist.  Brooke Hovland added 7 kills and Alaina Anderson had 5.  Emily Dehler had 4 block assists in the match.

Dig leaders were Bailey Marty with 22 and Avery Wanner with 10.  Jayna Gronewold and Emily Condon each had 7 digs.  Condon also had 4 ace serves and Gronewold had 2 aces.  Marty, Wanner and Anderson had one ace apiece.  Wanner (13/13) and Condon (18/18) were perfect on the serving line, while Gronewold (13/14) and Marty (8/9) each missed just one serve.

"We are so excited to be able to compete at the National Tournament November 11-13 and represent M State College," added Coach Crowser.