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USC upsets MCW in volleyball playoffs

But loses to Sleepy Eye 3-1 in Section 2A semifinal round

By Chuck Hunt - Editor | Oct 25, 2023

Kendal Harpestad (7) of the Rebels goes for a kill earlier this year against Alden-Congor. USC upset MCW in the first round of the Section 2A Sub-Section volleyball tournament on Oct. 23. Kiera Schultz led the team with 20 kills and 13 digs. Harpestad had eight kills and 16 digs in the victory.

The United South Central Rebels fought hard, but were unable to defeat the No. 2-seeded Sleepy Eye Indians in Section 2A semifinal volleyball action in St. Peter last Thursday night, Oct. 26.

The Indians won the match 25-23, 22-25, 25-16, 25-19.

“Great fight from our kids. It’s hard to see the season end,” USC coach Joe Kuechenmeister said following his team’s elimination from the playoffs. “We battled the whole way, and I think if we could have snuck out that first set, things would have ended differently. You’ve got to give credit to Sleepy Eye. They have a couple of hitters that can really put the ball down, but our kids were not intimidated and they competed.”

After losing the first game 25-23, USC fought hard to even the match at a game apiece with a 25-22 victory in a hard-fought second game.

However, the Indians were able to take the third game 25-16 before closing out the match with a 25-19 triumph in the fourth game.

The Rebels were led by Kendal Harpestad who had 14 kills, 12 digs, one block and one ace. Jaelyn Stangler finished with 11 kills and four blocks while Kiera Schultz had seven kills, 10 digs and one ace.

Emily Korn finished the night with 33 assists, 15 digs and one ace.

Also contributing to the Rebels’ effort was Madison Passer with five kills, 11 digs and one ace.

“I thought we executed our game plan and we created some problems for the Indians,” Kuechenmeister added. “Our blockers did a great job of getting touches and we passed the ball well for the most part. Unfortunately, we struggled from behind the service line in sets three and four and that hurt our opportunities at piecing together a run to get back in the match.”

Despite the loss, Kuechenmeister said he was proud of his team’s effort and of the players for getting into the second round of the post-season.

“The atmosphere was awesome, our fans turned out, and it was a special night for our kids,” the Rebels’ mentor added. “This group of seniors has been outstanding. They were the first group we had do fifth and sixth grade volleyball, so I’ve had the privilege of seeing them grow up both on and off the floor.”

Wearing the Rebel jersey for the last time were seniors McKenzie Roberts, Antoinette Dickson, Bella Murphey, Riley Getchell, Kendal Harpestad, Macy Sonnek, Maddie Dahlman, Kiera Schultz, Elizabeth Meyer, Chloe Lutteke and Kiahna Korn.

USC 3, MCW 1

The United South Central Rebels volleyball team pulled off a big upset in the quarterfinals of the Section 2A Sub-Section last Monday night, Oct. 23.

The No. 6-seeded Rebels knocked off the No. 3-seeded Martin County West Mavericks, 3 to 1, in a match played in Trimont.

The scores were 22-25, 25-22, 25-22, 25-11.

“Proud of the kids tonight,” coach Joe Kuechenmeister said. “While we came in knowing we could compete, putting it all together is another thing and we found a rhythm after our first set jitters.”

Kiera Schultz had a massive night, tallying 20 kills, 13 digs, two blocks, one ace and one assist.

Kendal Harpestad had eight kills, 16 digs, one block and three aces. Madison Passer added six kills and 16 digs. Jaelyn Stangler and Chloe Bullerman each had five kills, with Stangler adding a dig and three blocks and Bullerman three digs and four blocks.

“Kiera Schultz had a huge night for us racking up 20 kills offensively,” the coach added. “That said, a huge piece of our success tonight was the steady play of underclassmen Jaelyn Stangler and Chloe Bullerman. Their poise, blocking, and offensive playmaking swung momentum in our favor.”

Eleny Korn also had a huge night, with 39 assists, five digs, three aces and one kill.

Chloe Lutteke had nine digs and one ace, and Karly Koehler and Maddie Dallman each had two digs.

“Eleny Korn’s setting and decision making settled in after the first set, and Chloe Lutteke, Maddie Dallman, and Karly Koehler provided a spark from the back row,” the Rebels’ mentor said. “Kendal Harpestad and Madison Passer’s steady presence and creativity from the outside were huge reasons we’re moving on.”

The coach had a few other comments about the big upset win.

“Any time you can go on the road as the underdog and come out with a win in the playoffs, it’s huge, and I have to think a lot of that has to do with the tough regular season schedule we play,” Kuechenmeister explained. “MCW has some nice hitters and there’s a reason they were the three-seed. That said, these kids are battle tested, and I credit their composure and tenacity for getting the W tonight.”

The win propels the Rebels into the semifinals round of the Sub-Section, where they are scheduled to play No. 2-seed Sleepy Eye in a match set to be played in St. Peter on Thursday, Oct. 26, at 7:45 p.m.