Cardinals' volleyball season comes to abrupt ending

The Luverne Cardinals were on a four-game winning streak when Gov. Tim Walz announced his emergency order to halt sporting events in Minnesota.
The order went into effect at midnight Friday, Nov. 20, leaving the Cardinals with one more match to play.
The Cardinals lost that final match 3-1 to Jackson County Central.
Due to Covid-19 and Gov. Walz’s order, the Cardinals won’t get an opportunity to build another winning streak this season.
“The season ending the way it has is very unsettling,” Luverne coach Sarah DeBeer said. “My heart goes out to all the 2020 senior volleyball players.”
The Cardinals dropped the first set of the match 25-18. They bounced back to win the second set 25-23 to even the match at 1-1.
In the third set it was JCC winning a back and forth contest 25-23.
The Huskies defeated the Cardinals 25-21 in the fourth set to win the match 3-1.
Elise Ferrell recorded a team-leading 21 digs and 14 kills.
Christina Wagner finished the match with nine kills and eight blocks. Gracie Zewiske recorded nine kills.
Trista Baustian finished with 20 assists and Reghan Bork recorded 16 assists.
With the loss, the Cardinals finish with a 5-6 record for the 2020 season that can be described as a roller coaster ride, with ups and downs and quick turns.
“Not having our normal summer workouts, being told we were not playing until the spring, having no fall camp to prepare for a season, and then having the last minute decision to play this fall … our team came together in the end when it really mattered,” DeBeer said.
“Without opportunities to prepare and with all of the mental challenges of weekly changes, postponements, added restrictions, and our season ending with no playoffs, I couldn’t have asked for anything more from our team. Our team’s perseverance came through when we needed it, and we have set a good standard going into next year. I am so proud of all of our accomplishments this season, and our seniors will be missed.”
Senior players include Zewiske, Paige Sandbulte, Mckenzie VanGrootheest, and Crystal Sayavong.
“Our seniors this year are unlike other years,” DeBeer said. “They are all genuinely good people. All very much invested in their team and no matter if they were on the sideline or on the court. Their unselfish support for their teammates will truly be missed.”
 
Luverne  18 25 23 21
JCC 25 23 25 25
 
Kills: Ferrell 14; Wagner 9; Zewiske 9
Digs: Ferrell 21
Assists: Baustian 20; Bork 16
Blocks: Wagner 8