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The North Branch volleyball team, coached by Kari Francis, handed out their awards at the annual season-ending banquet earlier this month.

The Vikings finished the year with a 5-5 record in the North Suburban Conference and an 18-11 mark overall. Included in that was an upset win over the third-seeded Elk River Elks in their section tournament. Only when the Vikes ran into the second-seeded Duluth East Greyhounds did they finally bow out of the section.

As a team, the Vikes had three girls earn conference awards. Senior libero Morgan Leadens was the lone All-NSC performer on the team, but outside hitter Rachel Barg and setter Emily Trunk both earned All-Conference Honorable Mention, and both will be back next year for North Branch.

Among the team awards, Barg won the Most Valuable Player and the Best Offensive Player. Leadens won Best Defensive Player. Jessica Merchant won the Most Improved Player and Crystal Emery-Snaza was given the Viking Award.

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