2A volleyball: Top-seeded Marshall stands ground at net

Jennifer Simonson, Dml - Star Tribune Star Tribune

Marshall players including Rachel Westby (6), Dani Beekman (14), Jessica Baker (9), Alyssa Netzke (4) and Kayla Wallerich (5), left to right, celebrated a point during the Class 2A championship against Delano.

Going right at Delano's strength gave the Tigers another 2A trophy.

By DAVID La VAQUE, Star Tribune

Last update: November 14, 2009 - 11:57 PM

Delano volleyball coach Rebecca Rue knew where credit was due after Marshall swept Saturday's Class 2A state championship match.

"Defensively, they were the better team tonight, hands down," she said.

Hands up would have been more appropriate.

Marshall's relentless block neutralized Delano's dynamic duo of Kayla Koenecke and Molly Kreklow throughout a three-game sweep (25-21, 25-16, 25-18) at Xcel Energy Center. No. 1 seed Marshall scored nine points off blocks and another 18 on Delano attack errors, miscues Rue said often caused by Marshall's strong presence at the net.

"Their blocking was almost to perfection," Rue said. "It made it tough for our girls to go over the top or around it. And when we did, they made the dig."

Marshall defeated Delano on Sept. 26 at the Apple Valley Invitational, and Marshall coach Dan Westby brought his players back to Apple Valley High School on Saturday afternoon to practice and instill a certain mindset.

"We told them that we were going to treat it like basketball -- tonight you're going to step in front of their hitters and take a charge," Westby said.

Disappointed in his team's blocking earlier in the state tournament, Westby was pleased with Saturday's performance. Koenecke led her team with 17 kills but posted a .167 attack percentage. Kreklow (10 kills) finished with an attack percentage of .079.

"They've got a couple of aircraft carriers on their team and we certainly had to be concerned about where they were," Westby said.

Negating Koenecke and Kreklow crippled No. 2 seed Delano's entire attack. Their teammates registered a combined three kills.

"Even when we went to our other girls, they blocked them," Rue said.

Marshall, meanwhile, received a balanced effort. Dani Beekman led the way with 11 kills. Jessica Baker, a key figure in the team's block, posted eight. Rachel Westby, Amy Full and Kayla Wallerich combined for 19.

Saturday's state championship is Marshall's third since 2004.

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