Netters advance to subsection semifinals
In an exciting and emotional match, the Paynesville Bulldogs beat Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City in five games in the first round of the subsection in Paynesville. Every game was decided by six points or less, as the Bulldogs avenged a regular loss to the Falcons by eliminating them from the playoffs.Senior Sara Lieser and her teammates faced Sauk Centre on Tuesday night with the winner advancing to the section finals.
The fourth-seeded Bulldogs had lost to the fifth-seeded Falcons in four games the week before to end the regular season. But, playing at home again, the Bulldogs rallied to take the final two games and advance in the playoffs.
The Bulldogs played tough in the first game and won 15-10. The Falcons, though, took the next two games, forcing the Bulldogs to win the fourth and fifth games to claim the match. Paynesville led in the third game 8-5, then trailed 11-9, tied the score at 13-13, but yielded two points to give the Falcons a 15-13 win.
The Bulldogs won the fourth game 15-9 and the deciding fifth game 15-13. In the fourth game, the Dogs came out with determination, took a 5-0 lead, and won 15-9, in the most lopsided game of the match.
In the fifth game, the Bulldogs trailed 12-9 but tied the game at 13-13. Both teams served twice without any points being scored. Finally, junior Morgan Martinson served the last two points for the Bulldogs to win 15-13 and take the match.
Senior Lisa Hemingson led the Bulldogs in ace serves with seven. Junior Mindy Meagher added six.
Martinson had 12 kills for the Bulldogs, senior Heidi Jansen had 11, and senior Jenny Habben had nine.
Meagher led the team in blocks with five. Wall added three and senior Melissa Bachman had two.
Junior Hannah Braun and Hemingson each had 19 set assists.
The Paynesville Bulldogs played top-seeded Sauk Centre on Tuesday, Oct. 30, in New London in the subsection semifinal. If the Bulldogs upset Sauk Centre, they will play in the subsection final on Thursday, Nov. 1, at 7 p.m.
| ACGC-- | 10 | 15 | 15 | 9 | 13 |
| Paynesville-- | 15 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 15 |
Individual Statistics
Hitting: Morgan Martinson 39/48 - 12A; Jenny Habben 24/26 - 9A; Heidi Jansen 38/39 - 11A;
Serving: Lisa Hemingson 16/22 - 7A; Mindy Meagher 25/28 - 6A; Hannah Braun 15/19 - 2A;
Blocks: Meagher - 5A; Ashley Wall - 3A; Melissa Bachman - 2A;
Assists: Hemingson 83/86 - 19A; Braun 96/100 - 19A;
Digs: Jansen 28/33; Martinson 23/29; Habben 21/23.
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