Annandale claims share of conference volleyball crown

The Annandale volleyball team secured a portion of the Wright County Conference-West championship by closing out league play with a victory over the Dassel-Cokato Chargers Tuesday, Oct. 17, at Dassel-Cokato.

With the victory, the Cardinals finished the WCC-West with a 6-1 conference record. That tied the Cards with Watertown-Mayer and Glencoe-Silver Lake for first place.

"It was a big win for our program," said Annandale Head Coach Michelle Macalena. "It was a win over a section opponent, a conference championship, and we reached 20 wins this season."

Annandale 3, Watertown-Mayer 0

The Cardinals defeated the Chargers in three straight sets, 25-20, 26-24 and 25-21.

"We played composed and relaxed throughout the match," Macalena said.

Jada Bieniek had a big night with 17 kills and 17 digs.

Kassi Hammond and Paige Sanderson were impressive defensively, as they had 20 and 18 digs, respectively.

"We limited Dassel-Cokato’s runs and did a nice job terminating from the outsides," Macalena said.

The Cards have one more match before the beginning of tournament play, as they host Kimball Monday, Oct. 2.

Individual statistics

Neutz – 15 digs

Spaulding- 6 kills, 2 blocks

Bieniek – 17 kills, 17 digs

D’Heilly – 10 kills, 1 block

Hammond – 20 digs

Reimer – 28 set assists, 11 digs

Weis – 4 ace serves

Sanderson – 18 digs

Up next

■ Monday, Oct. 23, the Cardinals host the Kimball Cubs at 7 p.m. for a non-conference match at the Annandale High School gym.

■ Thursday, Oct. 26, will be the start of the Section 6-2A volleyball subsections. Annandale, the No. 2 seed, will face Zimmerman, the No. 7 seed, at 7 p.m. at Annandale High School.

The No. 1 seed is Maple Lake.

■ Tuesday, Oct 31, if the Cardinals defeat Zimmerman they would play at 7 p.m. at home against the winner of the No. 3 seed Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted vs. No 6 seed Milaca match.

■ Thursday, Nov. 2, the Section 6-2A East semifinal will be determined at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School at 7:45 p.m.

■ Saturday, Nov. 4, the section championship match against the 6-2A West champion will be played at 6 p.m. at Halenbeck Hall on the St. Cloud State University campus.

Once a team loses a playoff match, its­ season is over.