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The Chisago Lakes volleyball team played Benilde St. Margaret’s Tuesday, September 12 at home and lost in three games.  The scores were 25-13, 25-17, and 25-20.   

“We just didn’t come out and have the greatest passing or serving game.  When our setters could get a hold of the ball our front row was able to put it down, but we struggled in the back row,” said Wildcat head coach Nicole DeVries.  “Some of our struggle in the back row was due to Benilde’s two outside hitters that continued to hit over the block, creating a lot of down balls in the back row that weren’t easy to dig up.

“We also struggled with our communication.  Our best game was the third - which was great - because we finally began to put things together.  It was just a little too late.   Lots of credit goes to our two setters, Kristen Tengwall and Courtney Fautsch.  They worked famously well together using what they could from the back row to make super plays,” the coach continued. “Sometimes they can be taken for granted, but they deserve lots of credit.”

At Big Lake Tournament

Saturday, September 16

The Wildcats played Braham first and won 25-15, 25-16. “We played super - lots of communication, hustle, ace serves and kills,” DeVries said.

The ‘Cats won their second match 26-24, 25-21 over Norwood-Young America.  “In that match, Jess Peterson had a 31 percent kill average. We served great and our back row was outstanding,” the coach continued.  “Linnea Osterberg had an 82 dig percentage, Morgan Baumgard was 82 percent and Mel Lewis had a 100 percent digging average.”

The coach added, “We lost to a very strong Faribault team in the third match, 25-14, 25-15.  It was a well played match.  I was pleased with our performance. We just came up short.  We always play with heart and we have been improving so much.  This was a team that was very talented and I thought we did a good job playing against them,” DeVries commented.  

CL lost to Big Lake in the third place game 19-25, 25-20, 13-15.  “We were very evenly matched.  We played excellent. Our defense and offense was really terrific.  It was a total team effort,” the coach said.  

“Overall, I was very pleased with our tournament play.  We gave it our best shot and worked really hard.  We had many great saves, plays and offensive attacks.  This team is just a wonderful one to coach and I feel very fortunate to be able to coach and work with some very amazing girls - amazing girls off the court as well as on,” DeVries concluded. 

The Wildcats entertain St. Francis this evening (September, 21) at 7 p.m. and travel to play the Vikings in North Branch Tuesday, September 26.

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