Five Warriors record double-digit or high-single-digit kills to beat Bemidji

Section 8-4A volleyball playoffs began Monday night in Brainerd. The No. 8-seeded Brainerd Warriors defeated the No. 9-seeded Bemidji Lumberjacks in four sets.

Five different players for the Warriors recorded eight kills or more in the match. Paige Skoglund and Keeley Gondringer led the team with 11 kills each. Ruthie Owen added 10 kills. Gabby Bernander and Bella Goggleye each tallied eight kills.

Brainerd head coach Tana Johnson described the offensive strategy as a pin-to-pin attack. This approach involves setting outside hitters near the net antennas. Johnson said the team utilized all available tools in the rotation to succeed.

The Warriors took the first set 25-19. Bella Goggleye served the first six points of the match. Brainerd built a lead after Bemidji tied the set at 16-16. A six-point run by the Warriors, capped by a Bernander kill, secured the set victory.

Bemidji won the second set 25-21 to tie the match. The Lumberjacks rallied from a 10-5 deficit to take the lead. Brainerd trailed 17-13 before calling a timeout. The Warriors tied the set at 21-21, but Bemidji scored four consecutive points to close the set.

Brainerd regained control in the third set. The Warriors led 10-4 early in the frame. Bemidji erased that advantage and tied the score at 20-20. The Lumberjacks took a 22-21 lead, forcing a timeout. Brainerd scored the final four points of the set, with Goggleye hitting the winning kill.

The fourth set ended with a dramatic finish. Brainerd led 24-17 with Preslee Glynn serving. Bemidji scored six straight points to force a 24-23 score. A rally lasting one minute ended with a Bemidji hit sailing out of bounds. This error gave the Warriors a 25-23 victory in the set and the match.

Sophia White recorded a team-high 27 digs for Brainerd. Goggleye added 24 assists and 13 digs while returning from a season-ending injury. Johnson noted that the team will focus on blocking and digging in practice before facing Alexandria. The Warriors play the No. 1-seeded Cardinals on Thursday, Oct. 29.