The Worthington Trojans volleyball team, competing two days after an upset win at Willmar in the Section 2AAA quarterfinals, couldn’t equal that achievement and were defeated 3-0 on Friday at St. Peter. Scores were 25-21, 25-21, 25-23.
The Saints advanced to play top-seeded Marshall on Thursday for the section title and a state berth. The Trojans’ season ends with an 18-12 record.
St. Peter jumped out to a quick 3-0 edge in the opening game, but Worthington quickly recovered with four straight points. The game would go back and forth before the Saints would eventually grab a 24-18 edge. WHS was able to stave off three game points before St. Peter prevailed.
In game two, the Saints jumped out in front 8-3, but the Trojans rallied and tied it 8-apiece following a pair of ace serves from Tarren Spartz. Worthington would lead 18-15, but St. Peter came on strong to go up 2-0 on the Trojans.
Game 3 was another back-and-forth affair. The Trojans, down 24-21, got two points in tow to stay alive, but the Saints then closed things out.
Ellie Weg’s nine kills topped Worthington offensively and she also added nine digs. Tarren Spartz had six kills, 14 digs, four blocks and two ace serves. Maddie Peterson and Addison Gerber also had two ace serves each, while Gerber passed for 14 set assists and Peterson contributed two blocks. Regan Schaefer chipped in with 11 digs for the Trojans.
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Worthington’s Mikele Walu and Fanuel Wolday will be joined by other regional cross country runners at this Saturday’s state meet in Northfield.
Jackson County Central junior Evan Paplow qualified for the state Class A meet after finishing 10th at the Section 3A meet Thursday in Luverne. Luverne’s boys team, along with Redwood Valley’s boys, also qualified for state, as did the Murray County Central/Fulda and Canby/Minneota girls’ teams. MCC/Fulda’s Amanda Overgaauw won the girls race, and Ashley Overgaauw was second. Luverne’sOwen Janiszeski was second in the boys’ race; his brother Camden placed ninth.
Windom sophomore Kaylee Walklin advanced to the state meet by finishing fourth in the girls race with a time of 18:56. Mountain Lake Area junior Kody Wassman placed fifth in the boys race to advance. And, Heron Lake-Okabena’s Tim Salentiny finished 11th and took the final qualifying spot.
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Competing in the Iowa state Class A cross country meet Friday, Sibley-Ocheyedan placed third as a team.
Two Generals boys runners also competed in the state meet. S-O’s Ben Beyers finished in 17th place, while Alejandro Bernal was 19th. For the General girls, Madison Brouwer took second individually and Madison Marco was sixth. Bria Wasmund and Oliva Hensch also ran for Sibley-Ocheyedan.
In Class AA, Okoboji captured second place as a team. Okoboji’s Evan Olser took third overall, and Trigg Heimdal was 12th. Also scoring were Dylan Jones and Drew Sandven.
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In Minnesota high school football Saturday, it was:
Red Rock Central 14, Hills-Beaver Creek 6
Mountain Lake Area 45, Edgerton 36
Springfield 21, Martin County West 7
Tracy-Milroy-Balaton 14, Murray County Central 6
Pipestone Area 21, Minnesota Valley Lutheran 18
Jackson County Central 34, Redwood Valley 7
Fairmont 35, Luverne 0
Marshall vs. Willmar
In Minnesota high school volleyball Friday, it was:
Russell-Tyler-Ruthton 3, Edgerton 0
Adrian-Ellsworth 3, Heron Lake-Okabena/Fulda 2
Southwest Minnesota Christian 3, Westbrook-Walnut Grove 0
Tracy-Milroy-Balaton 3, Murray County Central 0
Pipestone Area 3, St. James Area 0
Windom 3, Fairmont 0
Redwood Valley 3, Luverne 1
Montevideo 3, Jackson County Central 2
Marshall 3, Mankato West 0
In Iowa high school football Friday night, it was:
Central Lyon/George-Little Rock 42, Clarinda 16 West Lyon, Inwood 43, Greene County 7 Spirit Lake 43, Clear Lake 21 Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn 46, Hinton 27
