“This week has been a huge week for the Knights, as we redeemed ourselves from last season’s slump during conference play,” said West Central Area Head Coach Missy Foslien. “Last year we started the season probably at our peak, which was tough when other teams kept improving throughout the season.  We grew complacent, and lost a lot of our second round games.  This year we vowed in a sense to not let that happen.  This week we took down both Melrose and Morris.”  

Stat leaders for the Knights included Grosz (15/16 serving, 1 ace, 19 digs, 1 block), Foslien (24/25 serving, 2 aces, 27 kills, 16 digs, 1 block), Madelyn Westrom (12/12 serving, 1 ace, 23 digs), Izzy Puchalski (10/11 serving, 1 ace, 5 kills, 10 digs, 1 block), Alaina Sykora (10/12 serving, 1 ace, 9 digs), Whitney Westrom (16/19 serving, 2 aces, 18 digs, 2 kills, 3 blocks) and Madi Fagre (8 kills, 1 block, 3 digs).

“In set one, every one of our hitters started off with an error,” reported Coach Foslien.  “We just were really slow at getting anything going.  We were quite stunned to be blocked again.  In Melrose our hitters had free reign at the net, and with Morris we struggled.  It’s a completely different game when you need to regroup yourselves after getting blocked.”

In set two, Mya Foslien rattled off four kills right away, but the Tigers kept with WCA the whole set, and pulled out a 26-24 win to square the match. 

At the start of set three, the Knights once again started with some errors, but pulled ahead around point 16, and never looked back.  The Tigers came close at 23-20, but after a timeout, the Knights ended the set with a nice kill by Whitney Westrom and another for point 25 by Jaclynn Nelson.

Set four was a special set for a couple of Knights players.  Macy Grosz earned her 1,000th career dig, joining alum Kaitlyn Sanstead (1065 career digs) in that club. She needed 19 digs for the night.  Set four was also special for Mya Foslien as she became the first WCA Knights volleyball player to ever reach 1,000 kills.  The Knights went on to win set four 25-16.   

“Mya and Macy have been around a while in our program, and have worked hard to get where they are in the record books,” noted Coach Foslien.  “We are so blessed to have them for another year, as they are both only juniors. Macy is a steady player, who leads quietly and makes our hitters look good. The setter job isn’t flashy, you don’t get a lot of recognition, but Macy makes it look easy.  Last week Macy also surpassed the 2,000 assist mark at the Parkers Prairie Invitational.  Mya is just a light in the gym.  She packs a punch and you definitely notice her.  Teams gun for her, but she is rising up to lead her team with action. These girls wouldn’t be where they are without their teammates.  They are excited, but the whole team was just as happy for them.  They are a special group of girls.  While our serve receive and defense was a little off tonight, they all know that no player can win alone, they need each other. Their focus is to trust their teammates, be resilient and play with grit. While plays might not always go their way, they push forward anyway.”   

Next week is homecoming at WCA and the Knights will host BOLD on Tuesday and Minnewaska Area on Thursday.