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   The Hill City/Northland Storm volleyball team traveled to Cromwell-Wright Tues., Sept. 9. After having a strong start and taking the first two sets, 25-22 and 29-27, Cromwell-Wright rallied and took the final three sets, 11-25, 16-25 and 12-15.

   Stat leaders for the evening were Charity Berg with 13 kills, one solo block, one assisted block and 30 digs; Ashlyn Schwarz with 11 kills an dtwo assisted blocks; Nora Wake with nine kills, one solo block and 14 digs; Taylor Washburn with 27 set assists, 25 digs and two Ace serves and Maddie Barnes with 32 digs.

Senior Ashlyn Schwarz goes for a kill during the LittleFork/Big Falls Game. Photo Submitted.

   Head Coach Stacey Wake commented “I knew our match up with Cromwell was going to be a good one and it didn’t disappoint. Obviously losing in five after taking the first two sets hurts, but it’s going to prepare us for a lot of matches coming up that I think are going to be very close as well.”

   On Thurs., Sept. 11 the girls hosted Littlefork-Big Falls in Remer walking away with a victory in three, 25-19, 25-17 and 25-11. Barnes came up with nine digs and had six Ace serves for the night, while Wake had 11 kills, four Ace serves, six digs and one solo block. Washburn ended the evening with 13 set assists and 12 digs, Dani Hannula came up with five kills and eight set assists and Mariah Dahl contributing five kills and one assisted block.

   Wake also stated “I expected a similar match, as the one against Cromwell, up against Little Fork/Big Falls, but I think LBF just wasn’t on top of their game. We showed up definitely more prepared, helps to have the home court advantage and not the long bus ride too. I give my girls a lot of credit, our serving is still holding strong, we’re blocking well at the net and have really stepped up our game defensively this year.

   On Sat., Sept. 13 the Storm attended the annual Crosby-Ironton Tournament which began at 9 a.m. The ladies will kick off Northland’s Homecoming week Tues., Sept. 16 by facing off against Deer River in Hill City. Thurs., Sept. 18 will see the Storm hosting Crosby-Ironton in Remer, the ladies will then host Nashwauk-Keewatin in Remer on Mon., Sept. 22 before taking a break to prepare for the annual Bigfork tournament Sat., Sept. 27.

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