Cardinals take the Saints in three spirited games

The Luverne Cardinals earned another volleyball win at St. James Thursday night, Sept. 30, against the Saints.
Luverne started slow against St. James, allowing the Saints to take the lead, but not for long. 
Kamryn Van Batavia tied the game at 5 with a kill, and after that, the game was dominated by the Cardinals.  Elise Ferrell surprised the Saints with a light serve over the net to put Luverne up by three. 
Later, Macy Stratton executed a dig to Trista Baustian who set for a Ferrell kill, which increased the lead by six.  Christina Wagner put a powerful attack through the Saints block to put Luverne up by 10.  Shortly thereafter, Wagner delivered a serve just on the inside edge of the court to win Game 1 25-14. 
Luverne carried that momentum into Game 2.
Reghan Bork started with an ace serve and then set to Anja Jarchow who put it over for the point. Macy Stratton served a run of points, which included two aces, to put Luverne up by six. 
Christina Wagner furthered the spread with a kill, a block and kill on another play, and Morgan Ahrendt contributed a light placement into the Saints hole. 
Later, Grace Sandbulte sent over a ball that the Saints returned with a double hit that drew a whistle. Then on defense, Sandbulte and Jarchow put up a block to increase Luverne’s lead by 13. 
Nearing the end of Game 2, Maddie Schmuck put the ball over on the inside edge of the Saints’ side to put the game at 24-9. A Saints error gave Luverne the win at 25-10 for Game 2.
The Cardinals started Game 3 cheering, "We Got the Spirit,” but the Saints didn’t go down without a fight, allowing Luverne to lead by only four points or less the entire game.
A kill by Jarchow and four kills by Ferrell, assisted by the duo Bork and Baustian, put Luverne in an early lead.
The Saints slowly came within two points by a series of Cardinal errors, but a kill by Elizabeth Wagner assisted by Baustian increased the Cardinal lead to three points.
An ace serve by the Saints and a serve landing on the inside edge of the Cardinals side put St. James ahead by one. 
Continuing the battle, Morgan Gonnerman executed a dig to Bork, who placed the ball into the Saints hole. Baustian executed a strong block and later worked with Bork and Ferrell to help deliver additional points.
Down by two, Bork and Morgan Ahrendt put up a block, and then Ferrell attacked on another play to tie the game at 21. 
The plays continued like that, each team alternating on their points. Luverne was first at 25 when Bork put the ball into the Saints hole, but the Saints came back with a kill to tie the game. 
Then, Stratton came through with a dig to Baustian who set for a Ferrell kill, putting Luverne up by one, but an error by both teams and a return on the inside edge of the Saints court by Christina Wagner tied the teams at 27. 
Jarchow earned a point by putting the ball into the Saints hole. Luverne won Game 3 when the Saints returned the ball into the net, 29-27.
"It was a fun match against St. James,” coach Sarah DeBeer said. “The girls took control early and then just had fun. My favorite part was Game 2 when all seven seniors played key roles in winning that game."
 
Stat Highlights
Serves:  Elise Ferrell 14/14 with 2 aces; Macy Stratton 19/19 with 2 aces
Set Assists:  Reghan Bork 14; Trista Baustian 20
Blocks:  Morgan Ahrendt 2 solos and 2 assists; Elizabeth Wagner 1 solo and 3 assists
Attacks:  Elise Ferrell 15; Trista Baustian 5