18 September 2011

Volleyball: A long Saturday at Tiger Gym

Emma Fahning
18 serve receptions, 9 digs, 7 kills,, 6 blocks, 5 service aces vs. WBL
(photo by Jim Lindquist)

It was a long day for the home team at the annual 16-team Farmington Invitational held Saturday, Sept. 17, at Tiger Gym. The Tigers went winless in four matches, winning but one of nine games in the process.
The day started with a 26-28, 10-25 loss to Jordan that set the tone for the remainder of the tourney.
One statistical category told the story in the opening round loss. The Tigers had just 10 kills over the two games. Setter Mia Johnson had only six assists.
Defensively, Emily Nelson put up some solid numbers, finishing with a dozen serve receptions and a team-high seven digs. Laura Steege and Kaylene Seurer each had four blocks.
The Tigers also kept it close in their second match, losing back-to-back, hard-fought games to New Ulm 23-25, 21-25.
Steege (6) and Bekah Lippert (5) combined for 11 kills. Johnston and Alexis Wenskaug each added seven set assists. Defensively, Rachel Eckert contributed 10 serve receptions, Emma Fahning six digs and Lippert five blocks.
Game three found the Tigers once again struggling on offense in a one-sided 11-25, 13-25 loss to Bloomington Kennedy in which they totaled only 10 kills, seven assists and one service ace.
The locals rebounded in their final contest of the day but still came up short in a 24-26, 25-23, 9-15 loss to White Bear Lake.
Fahning had a sold all-around match in the losing effort, finishing with 18 serve receptions, nine digs, seven kills, six blocks and five aces.
The four losses dropped Farmington's season record to 4-9 heading into Tuesday night's road contest at Rochester Century. Thursday the girls return home to take on Missota Conference power Shakopee.