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Hayfield's Liz Ristau, right, and Molly Streightiff combine to block Bethleham Academy's Jessica Mathews during game two of their match for the Section 1A West Division title Wednesday night at Mayo Civic Center in Rochester.

Faribault B.A. tops Hayfield volleyball team in subsection final

By Rocky Hulne (Contact) | Austin Daily Herald

Originally published 09:30 p.m., November 4, 2009
Updated 09:30 p.m., November 4, 2009

Photo by Eric Johnson

Hayfield's Kiley Severson plays a free ball at the net during game one of the Section 1A West Division title match against Bethlehem Academy Wednesday night at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester.

ROCHESTER — The Vikings found out why Faribault Bethlehem Academy has been to the Class ‘A’ state tournament the last seven seasons when the Cardinals ended Hayfield’s season in three games at Mayo Civic Center Wednesday.

The top-seeded Cardinals (26-3 overall) topped No. 2 Hayfield (19-10 overall) by scores of 25-9, 25-21, 25-15 in the Subsection West Division 1A finals.

“They have a variety of good hitters,” Hayfield head coach Deb Harvey said. “They can attack from any position, they’ve got good serving weapons and they play very good defense. There’s not a lot of holes on their side of the court that we were able to find.”

The Vikings played their best in the second game when they jumped out to an 8-5 lead. F.B.A. rallied to take a 23-14 lead, but Molly Streightiff served five straight points, including one ace, to pull the Vikings within 23-19 before the Cards finished it.

“We played real well when we were getting a good rhythm,” said Streightiff, a junior setter. “When we talked and worked together that’s when we get things done.”

Streightiff said F.B.A’s attack was tough to focus on.

“They’re real strong and you have to know the spots against them because they’ll pick out positions to attack,” she said.

Hayfield fell behind 17-6 in the first and third game. Harvey was hoping her squad could compete a little better.

“We knew we were going to have to play well and we don’t feel like we played very well,” she said. “I think we we’re pretty disappointed in our performance, but a lot of credit goes to B.A.”

Kiley Severson had three kills for Hayfield, and Liz Ristau had three kills and three blocks. Alyssa Selk had 19 digs, Abby Blanchard had 19 digs, and Sam Serratore had seven digs.

While Hayfield’s season is over, Streightiff said the Vikings had no intimidation going in and she’s pleased with the season’s effort.

“We want out there to see what we can do and the pressure was on them and not us,” she said. “I think we did all we can do and we gave it our all.”

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