Spartans take over first in LSC

The Superior High School volleyball team took over first place in the Lake Superior Conference with a thrilling 3-1 (26-28, 25-17, 25-18, 25-23) win over the Hermantown Hawks Tuesday night in the SHS gym.

With the win the Spartans improve to 5-0 in the LSC and 20-5-1 overall. The loss drops the Hawks to 16-5 and 4-1.

The Spartans have two LSC games remaining, Thursday at Ashland and at home Tuesday against Duluth Denfeld. Both matches begin at 7 p.m. Wins in those two matches would give what is believed Superior’s first LSC volleyball title.

Hermantown scored the first point of the first game before Superior rattled off seven straight points on the serve of Maddie Keute.

The Hawks battled back to tie the game at 11-11 and the teams were tied 14 more times until Hermantown eventually pulled off the 28-26 win.

Superior jumped out to another 7-1 lead in game two, but this time held on to the lead, which three times reached eight points, including with the 25-17 final.

After Hermantown led 2-0 and the game was tied 4-4, Superior gradually put away the Hawks for a 25-18 win in game two.

After ties at 4-4, 5-5 and 6-6, Hermantown opened up a 10-7 lead in game four.

Four points on Taylor Johnson’s serve, including an ace, gave Superior an 11-7 lead.

A Johnson block kill tied the game again at 21-21. The score was also tied 23-23 when Superior clinched the game and match with two straight points.

“Determination was a huge part of our game today,” Ally Keute said. “After losing that first game, we were all heartbroken. But (junior middle hitter) Taylor Johnson came up to us and said, ‘That’s why we play five games.’”

Statistically for the Spartans, Jessica Lindstrom had 14 kills, five blocks and 16 digs; Maddie Keute had four ace serves and 16 digs; Taylor Johnson had two ace serves, seven kills, four blocks and 12 digs; Ally Keute had six kills, two blocks and 11 digs; Ali Wainionpaa had four kills, 41 set assists and 16 digs; Magdzas had 13 kills, six blocks and 11 digs; and Amanda Larson chipped in with three kills and five digs.

For Hermantown, Shawna Johnson and Jessica Wasbotten each had 18 digs, Carmen Bergstedt had 13 kills and Nicole Kucza five blocks.

SPARTAN SPIN: The first game lasted almost 40 minutes, while the next three lasted just over an hour. ... Tuesday's loss marks only the second conference loss in 67 matches over a 10-year period for the Hawks, who had a 61-match win streak snapped by Cloquet a year ago. ... Superior received the No. 8 seed and will host No. 9 Antigo in a WIAA regional match at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20. The winner will advance to play at No. 1 seeded Merrill Blue Jays on Saturday, Oct. 22.

East 3, Superior 1

The Spartans came up short Thursday night at Duluth East losing to the Greyhounds 3-1 (25-18, 25-17, 17-25, 25-22).

For the Spartans, Ali Wainionpaa had 30 set assists and nine digs; Dani Magdzas had 13 kills and two blocks; Jessica Lindstrom had 12 kills, two block and 11 digs; Ally Keute had five kills and 10 digs; Johnson had two blocks and 15 digs; and Maddie Keute chipped in with 10 digs.

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