Playoff run cut short for Pirates

WADENA - The record-setting season for the Verndale volleyball team came to an end Saturday as the Pirates lost to Browerville 25-18, 25-21, 24-26, 25-21 in the Section 5, Class 1A championship.

This was the first section title game for the Pirates in school history.

"The girls kept getting better and better every time they played," Verndale coach Kelly Youngbauer said. "This is the farthest any Verndale team has gotten. I thought we played Browerville tough and I told the girls they had nothing to hang their heads about.

"We had a few too many attack errors and we had a few calls that I thought were incorrect. One call was in the last game and we were coming back and it gave (Browerville) their 24th point. It was like getting punched in stomach."

Courtney Branstner turned in a monster performance, finishing with 17 kills, 31 digs and 13 blocks. Stacey Schoon was close behind with 12 kills, 32 digs and 13 blocks while Stephanie Dailey chipped in with 10 kills.

Pirate setter Kelly Stave handed out 38 set assists to go along with nine blocks while Hillary Kern dominated at the net with 27 blocks as Verndale finishes with an 18-9-1 record.

Verndale statistics

Christy Schmitz 1 set assist, 20 digs, 5 blocks

Stacey Schoon 12 kills, 32 digs, 13 blocks

Kelly Stave 2 ace serves, 38 set assists, 1 kill, 12 digs, 9 blocks

Cortney Branstner 17 kills, 31 digs, 13 blocks

Hillary Kern 1 set assist, 2 kills, 23 digs, 27 blocks

Stephanie Dailey 1 ace serve, 10 kills, 16 digs, 1 block

Overall - V 18-9-1. Next match - Verndale season complete.