ML-WR eliminates Pierz

MORA -- Second-seeded Moose Lake-Willow River upset the top-seeded Pierz Pioneers 8-15, 15-11, 15-12, 15-8 in the Subsection 18, Section 5, Class 2A volleyball championship match Thursday.

The loss marked only the sixth time the Pioneers were defeated in 28 matches this season.

"We had a very successful season," Pierz coach Wally Brown said. "It's too bad it has to end this way."

The Pioneers got out of the blocks as Lexie Palo took control with five kills to give Pierz an early 1-0 advantage.

After that, it was all Moose Lake-Willow River. The Rebels seized a 13-1 lead but Pierz eventually fought back to make it close, but couldn't overcome the deficit.

The next two games were more of the same as the Pioneers couldn't gain any momentum.

Lexie Palo led the Pioneers with 16 kills and six block assists. Jodie Solinger had a great defensive game by retrieving 35 of the Rebels' attacks.

Pierz statistics

Beckie Loidolt 9-9 serving, 1 ace, 1 blk assist, 1 kill, 11 digs

Tracy Bell 15-17 serving, 1 ace, 1 kill, 21 set assists, 16 digs

Jodie Solinger 13-15 serving, 1 ace, 2 kills, 35 digs

Lexie Palo 16 kills, 6 blk assists, 1 dig

Shelley Boser 16-18 serving, 1 ace, 15 digs

Ashley Athman 3-3 serving, 1 ace

Kari Block 12-13 serving, 1 ace, 7 kills, 6 blk assists, 26 set assists, 8 digs

Stacy Block 3-3 serving, 9 kills, 7 blk assists, 11 digs

Nicole Meyer 12-12 serving, 1 ace, 4 kills, 1 blk assist, 21 digs

Allyson Kloss 9 kills, 1 blk, 6 blk assists, 2 digs

Kayla Pohlkamp 1-1 serving, 1 dig

Overall -- Pierz finishes 22-6.

Hawley 3,

Wadena-Deer Creek 1

PERHAM -- The Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines lost to Hawley 15-4, 10-15, 15-7, 16-14, in the Section 8, Class 2A volleyball semifinals Thursday.

It was a well-played match from start to finish for the Wolverines, who only missed one serve all night and dug up many attacks (73 digs) from a tall Hawley team.

The match was evenly contested and W-DC led 14-8 in the fourth game, but the Wolverines couldn't hang on and send the match to a pivotal game five.

Kerby Johnson led the Wolverines with 25 kills and 18 digs. Setter Sarah Kneisl (38 set assists) kept placing the ball perfectly for Johnson to swat.

Wadena-Deer Creek statistics

Kerby Johnson 17-17 serving, 2 aces, 25 kills, 18 digs

Marissa Browne 20-20 serving, 4 kills, 19 digs

Ashley Wohlwend 9-9 serving, 14 digs

Missy Speed 8-8 serving, 8 digs

Christie Hanson 10-10 serving, 3 aces, 10 digs

Sara Kneisl 12-13 serving, 4 digs, 38 set assists

Overall -- WDC 18-13.