Alexandria volleyball: Cardinals fall to Willmar

• Noetzelman

Senior setter Allie Noetzelman (1) put a ball up near the net during a match against Fergus Falls earlier this season. Noetzelman finished with a team-high 29 assists in the Cardinals loss to Willmar last Thursday night. (Echo Press photo by Eric Morken)

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When Alexandria defeated Willmar on September 11, the Cardinals needed five sets to accomplish the victory.

Thursday, the Central Lakes Conference match between the two Cardinal teams again needed five sets, only this time it was the Willmar Cardinals coming away with the win.

“The girls fought hard, but were unable to push through some inconsistencies that continue to present themselves in game-time situations,” said Alexandria head coach Becky Schlichting. “Even after last night’s loss, the girls’ previous CLC wins were enough to solidify a second place finish in the conference, behind only the undefeated Fergus Falls Otters, whom the girls played tough last week.

“The sky is still the limit for the team and the goal is still success in the post season.”

Once again, it was junior Amanda Christianson leading the offensive attack for Alexandria as she put down 24 kills, adding three digs and an ace block.

“She continues to grow in each match and further develop into a threat to our opponents and a “go-to” hitter for our setters,” Schlichting said.

Emily Kuennen added 10 kills, with Adrianne Wensman and Tara LeBrasseur each having six.

Allie Noetzelman provided 29 set assists and Nicole Canavati 19, with both setters having three aces on the night.

Shaneé Herd made a big defensive impact for the team as she had 27 digs and four aces, with Jenni Wild and Natalie Watkins adding 11 each.

WILLMAR 3, ALEXANDRIA 2

WILLMAR 21 28 25 19 15

ALEXANDRIA 25 26 22 25 12

ALEXANDRIA STATISTICS

HITTING (good-attacks-kills) – Allie Noetzelman 12-12-3, Natalie Watkins 19-26-4, Adrianne Wensman 18-22-6, Amanda Christianson 39-47-22, Jenni Wild 7-8-3, Tara LeBrasseur 12-17-6, Shaneé Herd 3-3-0, Dani Strater 12-14-2, Emily Kuennen 28-33-10. SET ASSISTS - Noetzelman 29, Christianson 1, Wild 1, LeBrasseur 1, Herd 1, Kuennen 1, Canavati 19. SERVING – Noetzelman 14-15-3, Watkins 19-21-0, Wensman 15-16-0, Wild 15-16-1, Herd 19-19-4, Canavati 18-22-3. DIGS – Noetzelman 5, Watkins 11, Wensman 3, Christianson 3, Wild 11, Herd 27, Strater 3, Kuennen 1, Canavati 9. ACE BLOCKS – Wensman 2, Christianson 1, LeBrasseur 1, Strater 1, Kuennen 1.

Tags: alexandria sports, sports, cardinals, volleyball