No luck involved with Lucking's season

The Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul is where Sammi Lucking wants to conclude her prep volleyball career.

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If things continue the way they have, the senior for the Pierz Pioneers might get her wish.

Sammi Lucking

The Pioneers are 20-4 after downing Brainerd Monday 3-0. Lucking tallied 14 kills, three blocks, one ace serve and two digs.

She opened last week with eight kills in the Pioneers' 3-0 victory over Buffalo Sept. 28.

One night later, she posted 17 kills, four blocks, one ace serve and one dig in a 3-0 win over Pequot Lakes.

Sammi Lucking

Year: Senior

School: Pierz

Sport: Volleyball

Position: Middle hitter

Key stat: Finished the week with 91 kills, 32 blocks, five digs and two ace serve

In Pierz's 3-0 Central Minnesota Conference loss to Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa, Lucking finished with 11 kills, six blocks and two digs.

"Every game she's getting better and better," said Pierz coach Wally Brown. "She spent a lot of time in the offense working on her game. She played Junior Olympics. She's our go-to person and she's adjusting to that more and more. She's becoming more relaxed with that, but she's still working hard."

Lucking was voted most valuable player on last year's team so she knew she had to be a team leader. She accepted the role and has worked on becoming dependable in game-point situations.

"Now when I hit I can see where the defense is set up and I can hit shots better," said Lucking. "I see the overall court better. That's one thing that's different this year. I realize I don't have to slam the ball down, but I can hit shots and hit places to make points."

In the Pierz tournament Oct. 3, Lucking's 55 kills, 22 blocks, 2 digs and one ace serve powered Pierz to the Silver Division championship and a 4-2 record in the event.

Lucking has benefited from watching talented players before her, namely former Pioneer Katie Kimman, who now plays at St. Cloud State University. Lucking said she paid close attention to how Kimman prepared. She worked to mimic the former Brainerd Dispatch All-Area Player of the Year.

All with one goal in mind.

"We want to continue to play well and hopefully make it to the Xcel," said Lucking. "That's our team goal. Personally, I wanted to improve my passing and be able to help the team more, plus, hit different shots offensively."

Last season Lucking was named to the all-area and All-Central Minnesota Conference teams with 272 kills, 69 blocks and 12 digs. She finished tied for second in the area in kills.

She finished with a 3.2 kills per game average and a 29-percent kill efficiency.

"She's got good size and good vision," said Brown. "She's got good hops. She can get up there. She's very intelligent and never makes the same mistake twice. She's tall and lanky, but she's very quick and understands the game. She knows where to be and where the defense is going to be."

So far this season Lucking has 298 kills, 44 solo blocks, 72 blocking assists and 61 digs. She's serving 92 percent with 12 aces.

"It's been a pleasure to have someone like Sammi, with her desire and drive, on the team," said Brown. "All the seniors have been great. I don't have to worry about them. They're all real positive girls and Sammi has made this year real enjoyable."

Other notable performances:

Cross Country: Kylie Beltz, Pequot Lakes, won the McGregor Invite in 16:24.

Soccer: Bethany Marlette, Little Falls, scored two goals against Walker-Hackensack-Akeley.

Swimming: Whitney Weisz, Little Falls, won the 50- and 100-yard freestyles and helped the 200 free relay to first in a dual meet with Brainerd.

Volleyball: Katie Wangberg, Pine River-Backus, finished with 73 digs, 69 set assists, seven ace serves, 26 kills and six blocks last week.

Alayna Kabanuk, Little Falls, had 13 digs, 12 kills and two blocks against Sartell.

Kelsey Meyer, Pierz, finished with 217 set assists, 36 digs, 12 kills, seven blocks and seven ace serves last week.

Jackie White, Pillager, had 17 digs, 13 kills and two ace serves against Crosby-Ironton.

Jana Anderson, Crosby-Ironton, finished with 27 digs, 20 kills and four blocks and one ace serve last week.

Kaylie Hanson, Pillager, had 53 digs, 37 kills, five ace serves and two ace blocks in the Walker-Hackensack-Akeley tournament.

JEREMY MILLSOP may be reached at or 855-5856.