Marshall blanks Wadena-Deer Creek

ST. PAUL - Top-seeded and second-ranked Marshall justified both distinctions with a 3-0 sweep of the Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines in the quarterfinals of the Class 2A state tournament Thursday night at the Xcel Energy Center.

The Wolverines were led by Kelsi Crawford's match-high 14 kills. Courtney Volkmann added 31 set assists and 10 digs and Hope Theisen and Avery Jackson each had 11 digs for W-DC.

W-DC led briefly in the first game before falling 25-20.

The 10th-ranked and unseeded Wolverines gave Marshall a run in the second game, leading five different times by four points, the last 17-13. W-DC's last lead was 21-18 before Marshall rattled off seven straight points.

Marshall, which led the final game from start to finish in a 25-11 victory, was led by Jessica Baker's 10 kills and three blocks. Kayla Wallerich had nine kills, 23 set assists, 13 digs and three blocks and Rachel Westby had eight kills and 11 digs as the Tigers improved to 29-3.

In the 75-minute match the Tigers, who were state runners-up in 2008, slammed 43 kills, had eight ace serves and 10 blocks.

Marshall 25 25 25

Wadena-Deer Creek 20 21 11

Wadena-Deer Creek statistics

Kelsi Crawford 14 kills, 6 digs

Courtney Volkmann 1 kill, 31 assists, 1 ace, 10 digs, 1 block

Brittney Noon 6 kills, 2 digs, 1 block

Mandy Perkins 6 digs

Rachael Carlisle 7 kills

Caitlin Volkmann 1 set assist, 3 digs

Hope Theisen 11 digs

Avery Jackson 1 kill, 11 digs

Keeley Timm 1 dig

Rachel Craig 3 kills, 2 digs, 1 block

Sydney Schissel 1 kill, 1 dig

Emily Miron 1 kill

Records: WDC 28-5, Marshall 29-3. Next: Wadena-Deer Creek vs. New London-Spicer at 5 p.m. Friday in consolation semifinals, Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul.