Two Class A volleyball powers clad in red and black met Tuesday night in Mayer as the top ranked Mayer Lutheran Crusaders swept the Bethlehem Academy of Faribault Cardinals three sets to none.
The Crusaders took home the first set 25-14 behind a couple of key kills from Liv Tjernagel and outstanding center line play from sophomore Lilly Wachholz, one of three Wachholz sisters to play for Mayer Lutheran. The other two are Gabby, a freshman and Anna, a senior.
To the second set as Bethlehem Academy started the set with a 2-0 lead and Mayer Lutheran went on a 4-0 run to forge ahead. Mayer Lutheran fell behind 7-4 and would bounce back to take the lead on a left side kill from Claudia Stahlke. The Crusaders would go on a 10-2 run and emerge with a 25-19 win.
Mayer Lutheran opened the third set on a 3-0 run and Bethlehem Academy would come back to take a 7-6 lead. But it was the only time they would lead as the Crusaders displayed outstanding hitting as well as defense to wrap up the match 25-11.
Cardinal head coach Chris Bothum is in her first season leading the Faribault based team replacing long-time head coach Franz Boelter. Bothum, who played for the veteran head coach mentioned how very influential he was to her as a coach. "His record and many trips to the state tournament have helped."
Bothum mentioned about one thing about Boelter that she applied when she took over the program was the determination to win and have a winning attitude.
The first year head coach, who heads a program that has taken home six Class A championship trophies described what it would take to return to the Xcel Energy Center, site of the state tournament in St. Paul. "Continued hard work. Always moving. Knowing we can go out and beat good teams. "
Also interviewed was veteran Crusader head coach Joelle Grimsley, who is in her 25th season at Mayer Lutheran. She spent seven years coaching in Missouri. She mentioned the difference between high school volleyball in Missouri and Minnesota. "Minnesota was at a high level of play."
Grimsley said the keys to the Crusaders success are being positive and highly motivated. She also said that setting high expectations and meeting those expectations were also keys to the program's success.
The Crusaders improved their record to 17-1 and will travel to Arlington on Thursday, October 3 to take on the Sibley East Wolverines at 7 PM.
The Cardinals fell to 7-11 and will also be in action on the 3rd as they host the Medford Tigers at 7:15 PM.
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