Knights roll past Truman

By JEREMY BEHNKE

Journal Sports Writer

SLEEPY EYE -- Sleepy Eye St. Mary's went into Thursday's Sub-section 2A quarterfinal game with Truman with one goal.

To win in three games.

The Knights made sure they accomplished the goal as they defeated the Blackhawks 25-15, 25-21, 25-17 and will move on to face Mountain Lake-Butterfield-Odin Saturday in St. James.

"I would have to say coming in here today that winning in three games was the most important thing tonight," St. Mary's coach Stef Whittet said. "I think we did that."

Amanda Helget finished with 25 set assists and 13 service points. She also had six digs. Krista Armbruster finished with 14 kills and four tips. She also six digs and two blocks.

"We came in that first game really fired up," Whittet said. "I know Krista started out with four kills, so this is what we wanted to do -- set the tone of the match."

Armbruster came out firing with four kills right away to give the Knights a 7-2 lead to start the first game.

Then, Stephanie Krzmarzick had a kill and later had three ace tips to put St. Mary's up 24-15. St. Mary's won 25-15.

"They were running their plays really well and listening and that's kind of key," Helget said. "When they listen to what I say -- like when I call their number -- they were ready to go right away."

In the second game, Helget's service ace made it 2-0.

"We tend to look at who made the last mistake or where there's a spot open on the floor," Helget said. "They left a lot of open spots up front, and maybe someone in the front row will sag."

Armbruster then contributed with back-to-back kills to make it 12-10. Raina Walter's service ace put the Knights up 14-10, but the Blackhawks rallied on Dani Urban's service ace to make it 19-17. However, the Knights regrouped and Armbruster's tip made it 23-19. The Knights finished the game with a 25-21 win.

"Sometimes I think we feel too comfortable," Helget said. "We have to pick up our game before we play on Saturday. We passed really good at certain times, but there's other times where we break and don't pass so well, so we have to get rid of that for Saturday."

The Knights got out to a fast start again in Game 3 after Jonalyn Cook's kill made it 5-0. Another Cook kill made it 6-2. Cook finished with four kills, eight digs and two ace tips.

After the Knights took a 10-4 lead, Molly Wendt's tip and Dani Urban's service ace cut the lead to 14-11, but the Knights finished the game strong on an Armbruster kill and a kill from Krzmarzick to make it 25-17. Krzmarzick finished with four kills, three tips and six digs. Walter had 16 digs and 14 service points and Sadie Sabatino had nine digs and 11 service points.

St. Mary's (12-10) plays 45 minutes after the 6 p.m. Sleepy Eye/Granada-Huntley-East Chain game Saturday in the semifinals in St. James.