---

   The Hill City/Northland Storm volleyball team participated in the annual Crosby-Ironton Tournament Sat. Sept. 13. While they ladies only won one match out of the four they played it was a great opportunity to play teams they normally don’t play. First game of the day was against Ogilvie where they walked away with the win in three, 25-23; 25-27 and 15-8. The ladies then faced Swanville and lost in two, 16-25 and 15-25. Staples-Motley was the next team they faced with another loss in two, 18-25 and 20-25. The final match of the day was against Pillager, with another loss in two, 23-25 and 9-25.

   The Storm kicked off Homecoming week with a match-up against Deer River in Hill City. Going into the game Head Coach Stacey Wake knew it was going to be a close match and the ladies did not disappoint. The match came down to the wire, but the Storm came up short losing in five sets, 20-25; 25-18; 23-25; 26-24 and 12-15. Stat leaders for the evening were: Charity Berg with 10 kills, 23 digs and two ace serves; Maria Dahl with seven kills and two block; Taylor Washburn also with seven kills, 16 set assists and 10 digs and Maddie Barnes with 26 digs and two ace serves. 

   The second game of the week also went five sets, but had a different outcome and more satisfactory to the team as they walked away with a victory over Crosby-Ironton, 15-25; 27-25; 10-25; 25-22 and 15-9. Coach Wake stated “We are working on knowing our roles on the court and playing them to the best of our abilities. Everyone contributes in a big way.”

   Next week will see the ladies hosting Nashwauk-Keewatin in Remer on Mon., Sept. 22 before taking a break to prepare for the annual Bigfork tournament Sat., Sept. 27.

---