Coyotes outlast Trojans in four in girls volleyball season opener

The Worthington Trojans and Heron Lake-Okabena/Fulda Coyotes opened their volleyball seasons Thursday night at WHS, with the Coyotes recording a 3-1 triumph. Game scores were 25-20, 23-25, 25-23, 25-16.

The Trojans were up 11-7 in game one, but HL-O/F got hot and recorded nine consecutive points at one point and built a 24-15 lead. WHS fought off five game points but could get no closer.

It appeared the Trojans would be going down 0-2 as the Coyotes grabbed a 14-7 edge in the second game, but WHS rallied and was spearheaded by strong blocking in a comeback. The Trojans tried another rally after being down 19-13 in game three but wound up falling just short. HL-O/F, which has 11 seniors on its roster, then controlled a majority of the final game, closing out the match on an Ellie Freking ace.

Alaina Feit had 13 kills to lead Worthington, Natalia Martinez had seven and Lauren Nixon six. Suzanna Shwe had 23 digs and Kamryn Olson 21. Natya Khamphanh passed for 23 set assists. Mara Thier was 17-of-18 serving and Olson 16-of-18. Feit contributed a pair of solo blocks.

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The WHS girls tennis team played its home opener Thursday against Fairmont and was defeated 7-0. Each of the matches were decided in straight sets. WHS hosts a tournament on Saturday beginning at 9 a.m.

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Another Trojan team in action at home Saturday will be the girls soccer squad, which will play its season opener at 3 p.m. against Mankato Loyola.

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In area high school volleyball Thursday, it was:

Tracy-Milroy-Balaton 3, Red Rock Central 1

Windom 3, Blue Earth 0

Fairmont 3, Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton 2

Marshall 3, Willmar 0