Algona drops Clear Lake in first round

(Above) The back row is posed and ready for action during the first round of playoffs Monday night, Oct. 26, against Algona.  Pictured for Clear Lake (L-R): is Kayla Ritter, Jessica Faber, Chloe Mueller, and Emily Snelling.  -Submitted photo

[caption id="attachment_13881" align="alignleft" width="270"] Jessica Faber records one of her nine kills. -Submitted photo[/caption]

Twelfth ranked Algona (29-13) eliminated the Clear Lake Lions from post-season play in the first round Monday, Oct. 26. The Bulldogs won 3-0 by straight scores of 25-10.

“Going into our first round game our girls had a lot on their minds heading into the game with the death of a classmate just days before heavy on their hearts.  Our team decided to represent their fallen classmate with ribbons and bows and dedicated that first round game to him,” said Coach Keith Sears.  “It was a proud moment as a coach to see your players start to connect the dots and play hard all the way to the last game of the season.”

Statistics from the match show a balanced Lion team which the coach said makes him excited for the future of the program.

Seven players recorded one kill apiece: Kiersten Baalson, Marne Euken, Emilie Jandebeuer, Chloe Mueller, Rachel Niemi, Kayla Ritter and Emily Snelling.

Snelling led the team in assists with five, while Mueller topped the Lions in digs with 14.  Jessica Faber was credited with nine.

Baalson was the team leader at the service line, going 4/4 with an ace.   Snelling was 8/9 with an ace, while Faber and Jandebeuer were 3/4.  Faber also had an ace.

“We had lots of ups and downs throughout the course of the season, but the girls continued to grow, compete, and develop as individuals and as a team,” said Coach Sears.

The Lions ended the season with a record of 5-27.  The Lions team featured five seniors: Reagan Brackey, Vivian Benjegerdes, Sarah Beuhler, Rachel Miemi and Marne Euken.