KMS Schools Volleyball Claims Second Place at Willmar's Side-Out Classic Tournament
KMS Schools' junior varsity volleyball team showcased commendable skill and teamwork this Saturday, clinching second place in the Willmar’s Side-Out Classic Tournament held at Willmar Senior High School. Competing against fierce rivals Willmar Cardinals, Rocori Spartans, and NLS Wildcats, the Fighting Saints exhibited strong performances but ultimately fell just short of the top spot.
The tournament kicked off with KMS Schools dominating Willmar with set scores of 25-15 and 25-8, setting a positive pace for the day. The intensity peaked during their thrilling encounter with Rocori, where the Fighting Saints pulled off narrow victories in both sets, winning 27-26 and 27-25, respectively. These victories marked a pivotal moment for KMS Schools, as noted by the key moments in the tournament. However, the challenge heightened in the final against NLS, where KMS suffered narrow defeats in both sets, 25-20 and 25-18, which placed them second in the tournament standings.
Key players such as Taylor VanHeuveln, Kayleigh Finstrom, and Acelynn Hacker led the team with significant kills, while Brooke Johnson and Emily Holtkamp contributed notably with blocks and digs, respectively. The cohesive team effort was further highlighted by contributions in aces from players like Avery Magaard, Emma Gareis, and others.
Coach Carlson expressed pride in the team’s overall performance, emphasizing their resilience and strategic gameplay. "I am very proud of the team’s performance today. We came ready to play. We played very tough against Rocori and were able to finish the game that sent us to the championship. We fell short to a very strong NLS team. We were able to make adjustments throughout the day as needed and the girls played very well. Stats were very evenly dispersed throughout each game and we really played as a team today," Carlson remarked.
Looking ahead, KMS Schools is set to face YME Sting on September 24 at Granite Falls. Holding a current record of 5-6, the Fighting Saints are keen to build on their tournament success and continue their competitive drive.
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