Above: Alex Slanga (8) sets the ball to Linden Sutton (7) who hammered it home for a Viking point. The Vikings beat Duluth Marshall 3 games to 1. Upper right: Raina Ryden hit the floor to set this ball to her front line. Right: With Lily Gruber-Schulz (10) looking on, Maddy Roy (14) tips the ball over the net to Marshall.
A summer of hard work is quickly paying off for the Viking volleyball team as it started its season with a decisive victory over Duluth Marshall three games to one: 25-12, 25-17, 21-25, 25-17.
The Vikings played the 3A school at home on Saturday, August 29.
Meredith Sutton led the team with 17 kills and 23 digs. Meredith’s sister, Linden Sutton, finished with 9 kills and 27 digs while Raina Ryden had 13 digs, Alex Slanga 13 set assists, Maddy Roy 19 set assists, and Lily Gruber-Schulz 8 kills.
Slanga also has 3 serve aces while Emily Jacobsen, Meredith Sutton and Sarah Carman each had one serve ace.
Kate Kleinschmidt had 8 kills, 3 blocks and was perfect from the serving line to lead Marshall.
A majority of the Viking volleyball team played in summer leagues throughout the Northland, and attended a camp at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, said Head Coach Pam Taylor.
“It shows,” said Coach Taylor. “They started off a little tentative against Marshall, but it didn’t take long for the kids to settle down. The kids are much further along [in their play] then they normally have been this early in the season.”
“I’m really pleased with all of them,” said Coach Taylor. “I have a lot of depth and can move people around, which I did. The kids didn’t get upset when I put them in different situations. They all played really well. I couldn’t be prouder of them.”
Taylor also said her junior varsity is filled with good players this year. “We have a lot of talented players. It’s nice to have so much depth,” she said.
The Vikings played Two Harbors at home on Thursday, September 3 and face Cromwell at home on Tuesday, September 8, with the varsity taking the floor at 6:30 p.m.
Come out and watch and cheer on your Vikings!
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