Road blocked again: Superlarks eliminated at the hands of a familiar foe in FBA
Published 9:32 pm Thursday, October 24, 2019
- Grand Meadow’s River Landers pushes the ball across the net in game two against Faribault BA in the quarterfinals of the Section 1A West Tournament Thursday night in Grand Meadow. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
GRAND MEADOW — The No. 3 seeded Grand Meadow volleyball team ran into a familiar postseason roadblock as they were on the heels for much of the night in a three-game loss to No. 6 Faribault Bethlehem Academy by scores of 25-19, 25-18, 25-20 in a Section 1A West Tournament quarterfinal Thursday.
The Superlarks (22-12 overall) surpassed the 20-win total for the fourth straight season this fall, but they also saw their season ended by the Cardinals (13-16 overall) for the third time in the last four years.
“They played a good game,” said GM senior Riley Queensland, who had nine kills and 14 digs. “They executed when they needed to and we just didn’t do the things that we needed to accomplish. They’re definitely smart with the ball and we just needed to be more smart about with where were covering.”
Grand Meadow’s Riley Queensland hits during game one against Faribault BA in the quarterfinals of the Section 1A West Tournament Thursday night in Grand Meadow. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
GM had a brief 16-15 lead in the first game, but FBA scored 10 of the last 13 points to take control. The Cardinals led 15-6 to take over the second game.
FBA was coming off a first round win over Lyle-Pacelli, while the Superlarks had a bye in the opening round. GM head coach Susan Wilson said the Larks worked hard in practice, but it’s tough to mimic what FBA does.
“Having a couple of days off, the girls were able to practice and work hard,” Wilson said. “FBA is a team that is able to do some hitting that we don’t usually see and that made a difference.”
Grand Meadow’s Madison Hindt sets the ball in game two against Faribault BA in the quarterfinals of the Section 1A West Tournament Thursday night in Grand Meadow. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Hailey Hindt had four kills and Isabelle Olson added 18 digs in the loss for GM.
Queensland, a senior who racked up over 1,000 career kills, said it will be tough to say goodbye to playing volleyball with GM.
“It was a really fun year,” Queensland said. “Volleyball is a fun sport and I’m just glad I was able to play with my friends.”
Grand Meadow’s Hailey Hindt spikes against Faribault Bethlehem Academy in the quarterfinals of the Section 1A West Tournament Thursday night in Grand Meadow. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Wilson credited the GM seniors for providing a lift this fall.
“The seniors were constantly being leaders on the court,” Wilson said. “They were great examples for the other girls. They were always hustling, even when things weren’t going their way. The whole team is really positive.”
GM stats: Isabelle Olson 3 kills, 18 digs; Meghan Eastlee 10 assists, 8 digs; Anna Oehlke 3 kills, 2 digs, 1 ace; Hailey Hindt 4 kills, 2 digs; Madison Hindt 5 assists, 10 digs, 1 ace; River Landers 3 kills; Riley Queensland 9 kills, 14 digs, 2 aces; Rylee Groom 3 digs
Grand Meadow’s Anna Oehlke plays the ball in game two against Faribault BA in the quarterfinals of the Section 1A West Tournament Thursday night in Grand Meadow. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
