Volleyball: Dominating performance

• Anderson

Alexandria coach Becky Anderson has guided her Cardinal volleyball team to their second straight Central Lakes Conference championship. Last season, the Cards shared the title with Rocori. This year, they have sole possession of the title.

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The Alexandria volleyball team wrapped up the Central Lakes Conference championship on Tuesday night by winning its sixth consecutive match.

The Cardinals wrapped up the CLC with a three-game sweep over Little Falls. Alexandria has been nothing short of dominant in the conference this season, going 10-0 and never dropping a game along the way.

The Cardinals feature a balanced attack almost every night and the win over Little Falls was no different. That balance was put to the test against the Flyers as starters Ari Carlson and Alicia Montbriand were out because of injury.

Sam Dale did her part to make sure that did not matter as she led the Alex offense with 12 kills. Angela Christianson and Sam Trumm also contributed on the net with 10 and eight kills, respectively. They were set up all night by Katie Brown’s 25 assists and Keely Gross’ 11.

The defense was led by Greta Wood with 17 digs, while Val Smith and Dale each had 15.

“These three also serve as captains for the team and have been leading the defense the entire year, trading off the leadership role,” head coach Becky Anderson said. “With such solid defenders and passers behind our front line, they make the job easy for our setters and hitters.”

The conference championship for Alexandria is the third time in the last four years that the Cardinals have had at least a share of the title. It is their first outright championship since the 2002 season when they went 12-1 through CLC play.

Alexandria still had two conference games remaining after the Little Falls victory. The first one came last night, Thursday, against St. Cloud Apollo. The Cardinals finish up the regular season next Tuesday when they welcome St. Cloud Tech to town. Alex beat the Tigers 3-0 the first time these two teams met this season.

MATCH STATISTICS

Alexandria 25-25-25

Little Falls 14-14-15

ALEXANDRIA LEADERS – Sam Dale – 12 kills, 15 digs; Kaitlin Becker – 3 kills; Angela Christianson – 10 kills, 4 blocks; Jacque Brown – 3 kills, 3 blocks; Sam Trumm – 8 kills, 2 blocks; Nicole Throngard – 7 kills; Katie Brown – 3 kills, 3 aces, 25 assists; Greta Wood – 3 aces, 17 digs; Val Smith – 15 digs; Keely Gross – 1 ace, 11 assists

Tags: sports, volleyball, alexandria, cardinals, little, falls