The Luverne volleyball team ran into two of the best teams in the Big South Conference this past week. The Cardinals went 0-2, losing matches to Marshall and Redwood Valley.
The Cardinals opened the week by playing the second-ranked Marshall Tigers in Luverne on Tuesday, Oct. 27. The Tigers proved worthy of their high ranking by sweeping the Cardinals.
The visiting Tigers won the opening set 25-12 and never took their foot off the gas. It was all Marshall again in the second set with the Tigers winning 25-10.
Marshall completed the sweep of the Cardinals by taking the third set 25-16.
Christina Wagner led Luverne with eight kills. She also added one block.
Reghan Bork recorded 13 assists. Macy Stratton finished the match with 23 digs.
On Monday, Nov. 2, the Cardinals ran into the undefeated Redwood Valley Cardinals. Redwood Valley entered the match with a perfect 4-0 record.
Redwood Valley left Luverne with that perfect record intact by defeating the Cardinals 3-0.
In the opening set Luverne jumped out to an early lead. Unfortunately, Luverne was unable to sustain that momentum as they eventually lost the first set 25-14.
The second set was a back-and-forth battle with Redwood Valley coming out on top 26-24. Redwood Valley completed the sweep by winning the third set 25-18.
Gracie Zewiskie led Luverne with 10 kills. Wagner recorded four blocks and four assists.
Bork finished the match with 13 assists. Elise Ferrell recorded 14 digs.
With the pair of losses, the Cardinals dropped to 1-5 overall this season. They’ll look to break back into the win column on Thursday, Nov. 5, when they hit the road to take on the Pipestone Area Arrows.
The Arrows will enter the contest with an even 4-4 record. Luverne lost earlier in the season to Pipestone 3-0.
Luverne 12 10 16
Marshall 25 25 25
Kills: Wagner 8
Bocks: Wagner 1
Assists: Bork 13
Digs: Stratton 23
Luverne 14 24 18
RV 25 26 25
Kills: Zewiskie 10; Wagner
Blocks: Wagner 4
Assists: Bork 13; Wagner 4
Digs: Ferrell 14