Cook County Vikings volleyball is off to a great start, winning its first two matches on the road against Duluth Marshall and Silver Bay, and this match against Floodwood at home on September 9. Above: Forming a formidable line while waiting for the Silver Bay serve were Bekah Laky, Ashley Deschampe and Ali Iverson. Right: Ashley “Dish” Deschampe puts the ball over the net. Deschampe led the Vikings against Floodwood with 18 kills. The Vikes are 3-0 overall and 2-0 in the Polar League.
The Cook County Vikings have high expectations for this season, after capping off a 19-6 season last year by falling in the Section 7A semi-finals. The Vikings lost three starters off of that team, including all-conference selections Christina Nelson and Essa Jacobsen, but the Vikings have jumped out to a quick start, winning their first three matches in convincing fashion. The Vikings have won nine games in that stretch while only dropping two games, both 23-25, before taking care of business.
The Vikings got things started on the road this year, with matches in Duluth Marshall and Silver Bay, before returning home for a big Section 7A and Polar League matchup with Floodwood.
The Vikings started out the season right, jumping all over the Hilltoppers of Duluth Marshall and sweeping them in three quick games. The first game went the Vikings’ way, 25-17, followed by a 25-9 drubbing, and a matchending 25-21 game three. The game was never in doubt as the much more experienced Vikings took care of business.
The Vikings were led by seniors Brea Boomer, a returning all-conference selection, and Kristina Rude in the match. Boomer had eight kills and 13 digs, while “Rudi” had a team-leading 13 set assists. Junior Ashley Deschampe led the Vikes with 11 kills, while fellow junior Bekah Laky added 12 set assists and led the team with a 16-18 serving night, including many aces.
The Vikings met up with the young Silver Bay Mariners and swiftly established themselves as the dominant team. The Vikings jumped out quickly, taking games 1 and 2 by scores of 25-8 and 25-13. The third game went to the Mariners, 23-25, with the Vikings trying a couple of different lineups, but the Vikes came back and dismantled the home team 25-17 for their second win of the year. Kristina Rude and Ashley Deschampe led a great Viking serving attack with six aces apiece. Deschampe also added a team-leading 13 kills, while Rude led the team with 14 assists. Boomer and Laky were all over the court, leading the team with 17 digs apiece.
The Floodwood Polar Bears, one of the best teams in Section 7A and the Polar League, came to Grand Marais with an identical 2-0 record. The first game went back and forth until Senior Alissa Autio took over at the net, hammering line drives in front of the 10-foot line, leading the Bears to a 23-25 win. The Vikings stormed right back, taking game 2 by a convincing 25-19 score. Deschampe started to heat up at the net, but she really caught fire in the third game; with the Vikes down 15-20, “Dish” started peppering the court with kills. With Laky putting sets right on the net and Deschampe scoring a point every time she touched it, the Vikings rallied back to take game three 25-22.
Floodwood jumped out to another lead in the fourth game, once again establishing themselves with some nice serves and consistent play at the net. TheVikings could not be contained, though, with too much depth to handle. With Deschampe tiring, the Vikes turned to senior captain Boomer, who took over at the net, crushed a spike to finally give the Vikings a lead at 24-23, and then finished off the Polar Bears for a thrilling 25-23 win.
The Vikings were led by Deschampe’s 18 kills and Rude’s 17 digs. Bekah Laky led the team with 18 assists, but she also played an unbelievable all-around game, as it seemed she was everywhere all night making positive things happen for the Vikes.
Thewin moves the Vikings to 3-0 overall and 2-0 in the Polar League. The Vikings have two Polar League games this week, at Cromwell and at home against Moose Lake/ Willow River after this went to press. Make sure you check out the Cook County volleyball team, though, as they have put together one of the best teams in the area and definitely one of the most exciting!
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