Chargers defeat GreyhoundsNUC wins one game over MVL

By MINDY KLINKNER

Journal Sports Writer

NEW ULM -- Minnesota Valley Lutheran relied on its back row more with top middle hitter Eva Voss gone. Although more hits got through the block, MVL's defense still did a good job helping the Chargers to a Tomahawk Conference win over New Ulm Cathedral Tuesday. Game scores were 25-17, 16-25, 25-22, 25-21.

"We didn't play to the best of our ability but we came out with the win," MVL's Kelsey Black said. "Although we didn't play well, we'll pick it up with playoffs."

Voss was on vacation but will be back for sections.

"She's a big strength and we could have used her," Black said.

Filling in was Bri Czer and Black also got some middle-hitting playing time.

"We lacked in blocking with Eva gone," MVL coach Julie Detjen said. "Our back row had to work more."

Black picked up 14 digs and Meredith Browne had five and Nicki Flygare had four.

In the previous matchup between the two teams, MVL also came out on top in three games.

"We did better than last time," Cathedral's Nikki Fischer said. "This time we took a game."

The game that Cathedral "stole" was Game 2. The Greyhounds got the early lead and held on. Cathedral was up 13-11 and then outscored the Chargers 6-2. A few errors at the end of the game gave each team a few more points before Cathedral ended with the win.

"We fought back and picked up our game with communication and we didn't make errors," Fischer said.

The momentum from the second game win helped the Greyhounds in the third game.

"We felt no pressure," Cathedral coach Karan Whitmyer said. "[Before the match] we had talked about keeping the match in perspective and not putting all our apples in one basket."

The Chargers started with a 6-1 lead but Cathedral caught up to within two points.

"Cathedral played a great game" Detjen said. "They played with desire and intensity. Something I was trying to get our kids to do."

The Greyhounds tied up the game at 15 and then took the lead. MVL caught back up with a pair of kills from Karissa Kramer, who finished the night with 12 kills.

A block by Jessica Beckendorf sparked the Chargers back up. MVL sailed on to win with kills from Black and Beckendorf.

Game 4 was all MVL as the Greyhounds got out to slow start. The Chargers had a 19-10 lead when Cathedral rallied back to within two. Black and Flygare finished off the game with kills.

Black finished with 12 kills and Beckendorf had 11 kills and six blocks. Holly Enter had 23 set assists and Andrea Ring had 10. Flygare also had three ace serves.

Angela Long had 10 kills to lead the Greyhounds.

"Angela had some nice hits," Fischer said.

Melissa Krause had six kills and Fischer had 24 assists.

MVL (18-1) plays Redwood Valley in the first round of sections Friday.

The Greyhounds (10-10) finish the regular season at Cleveland Monday.