Sandberg sets up Rangers
Like one of her blocks, Maggie Sandberg deflects the credit of her good play.
About her 55 kills after eight games: "Andre'a (Wynn) is a really good setter and she knows what she's doing," said Sandberg.
On the Crosby-Ironton Rangers' 5-3 start: "I think our biggest improvement from last year is Annie Adams," Sandberg said. "Having her on the outside has really helped. I'm glad she is on our team."
The senior outside hitter is another big reason. In a loss to Pierz on Sept. 6, Sandberg had 20 digs, 10 kills, five blocks and two ace serves. Against Greenway Sept. 8, she added 24 digs, 11 kills, three ace serves and one block.
Maggie Sandberg
Year: Senior
School: Crosby-Ironton
Sport: Volleyball
Position: Outside hitter
Key stat: 11 ace serves, 39 kills, seven blocks and 73 digs in six games
Sandberg's 18 kills, 29 digs, six ace serves and one block helped C-I win the Pine Lakes Invitational Sept. 10.
"She came on strong all day," said Rangers coach Jill Kovatovich. "She's really good at the net and I really count on her in the back row for passing. Maybe we shank a few serve receives and I'll turn to her and ask her to step up and she usually does."
The two-year starter and three-year varsity player shines in the back row with 92 digs on the season. But she's tallied 11 ace serves and nine blocks to go with her 55 kills.
"Being in the back row I kind of know where hitters are going to go," she said.
"It's nice being back there. I don't have a problem getting a serve receive. It's pretty easy for me. If I didn't have so much fun hitting I would be a libero (defensive specialist)."
Sandberg also will be a three-year starter for the girls' basketball team. Her varsity experience and athletic ability are what give Kovatovich confidence in her.
"She's an athlete all-around," said Kovatovich. "She's aggressive and she sees the court better than a lot of people. She's very athletic in everything she does. Her heart is really in it. She's pushing the team to do the very best."
Other notable performances:
Tennis -- Brita Johnson, C-I, won the No. 2 singles title at the John Eberhart Tournament.
Megan Lenz, Pequot Lakes, won the No. 4 singles title at the John Eberhart Tournament.
Diana Sicard, Staples-Motley, won the No. 3 singles title at the Apollo Tournament.
Sheila Noska-Sara Dezell, S-M, won the No. 2 doubles title at the Apollo Tournament.
Volleyball -- Lisa Kurtz, Pierz, finished with 20 set assists, 10 digs, eight kills, six blocks and four ace serves against C-I, 16 set assists, eight kills, two digs and one ace serve against Rockford and 26 kills and 20 digs at the Ogilvie Tournament.
Stacey Schoon, Verndale, finished with 22 kills, 17 digs, eight blocks and one set assist against New York Mills.
Erin Cusac, Pine River-Backus, finished with 31 kills, 37 digs, four blocks and two ace serves at the Pine Lakes Invitational.
Andre'a Wynn, C-I, finished with 69 set assists, 12 digs, five ace serves and three blocks at the Pine Lakes Invitational.
Annie Adams, C-I, finished with 43 kills, six blocks and four digs at the Pine Lakes Invitational, 10 kills, four blocks and one dig against Pierz and 16 kills, three digs and two blocks against Greenway.