The Minnesota Volleyball Coaches Association Class A State Rankings released Monday had Waterville-Elysian-Morristown #2 and last year's state runnerup ranked #9 this week.  The Buccaneers traveled to Medford and declawed the Tigers by scores of 25-20, 25-13, 25-11.

W-E-M was impressive.  I was particularly appreciative of the precision of their passes off serves.  Their top hitters are also very good passers.  Bucs Head Coach Crystal Lamont told KDHL following the match it was the best her team has played this year.  Medford Head Coach Missy Underdahl believes the match may have come at a good time for her team.  She says there is still time to correct mistakes and peak when you want to peak.  At playoff time.

The first set started very exciting and most of the way it was close until the Buccaneers pulled away at the end.  W-E-M dominated the next two sets.  Their individual statistics reflect that with a hitting percentage for the match of .315.

Junior Toryn Richards had 17 kills while hitting .394, Kylie Pittman had 12 kills and a hitting percentage of .385, Delaney Donahue smacked 10 kills while hitting .192.  Pittman and Richards each had 14 digs.  Ellie Ready 35 assists.

The one area Coach Lamont might not be happy about was the fact her team had 6 service aces and 7 service errors.

Medford got a block up numerous times but very rarely could get the ball picked up following the deflection.

The gym was packed to the rafters with about a third it appeared from Waterville-Elysian-Morristown.  The Medford student section stood the entire time in front of me to cheer on their team and between sets sang songs that put a smile on a lot of faces including mine.

Coach Underdahl said she wished her team could have given them a better match to watch pointing out her team got a set off W-E-M in the Class A Volleyball Showcase in the Twin Cities this past weekend.

It was Parents Night for Medford and Homecoming to boot. Senior libero Kiley Nihart had a couple jaw dropping digs.  Homecoming Queen Izzy Reuvers had a couple hustle plays.  Sophomore MacKenzie Kellen provided a spark when the Tigers needed it.

Waterville-Elysian-Morristown was able to put Medford in scramble mode much of the night.

The Tigers host Class 2A #1 rated Stewartville Monday.  The Buccaneers are at home with LeSueur-Henderson Tuesday.

The Bucs are now 17-2 overall and 4-0 in the Gopher.  Medford is 10-5 and 2-1.

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