By Brenda Erdahl
Sports Editor
The Irish volleyball team dropped a pair of matches last week starting with a 2-3 loss to Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted at home on Tuesday, Sept. 12, but ended on a high note by finishing fourth at a 14-team tournament over the weekend.
The Lakers brought an enthusiastic crowd to the Maple Lake gym for the neighborly rivalry. The Irish were just as lively, and the gym reached a deafening volume as the Irish played the Lakers to a narrow 25-27 loss that first game. The fans were on their feet again as Maple Lake rallied back to win the second game 26-24. The remaining game scores were 18-25, 25-22 and 9-15.
Junior Outside Hitter Avery Lee led all players in kills with 17. She also had 15 digs, 15 assists and was 16 for 16 serving. Alex Kiebel supplied 27 assists in the win. She also had 11 kills, 10 digs, two blocks and was 17 for 20 serving with two aces. Sydney Breimon was seven for 11 serving with six kills, nine digs and two blocks; Grace Ronnenberg was nine for 10 serving with two kills and five digs; Danica Hageman was six for seven serving with seven kills and eight digs; Ava Knutson was 12 for 13 serving with one ace and three digs; Addison Kramer had a dig; Abby Linder had five kills and seven digs and Eliana Fuller was 24 for 25 serving with three aces and 28 digs. The Irish had six aces with an 89 percent serving rate.