Melrose achieves consolation championship

Volleyball strong in Perham tourney

The Melrose Area Lady Dutchmen volleyball team earned the consolation championship at the Perham Tournament Oct. 8 at Perham High School in Perham.

The Lady Dutchmen were defeated in close contests 25-21 and 25-19 by host team Perham in the opening round. There were 16 teams at the tournament, with the first-round losers going to the consolation bracket.

In the second round, Melrose rebounded for a 2-1 win over Roseau, taking a 25-15 win the first round, then rebounding from a 25-21 loss in the second set to win 20-18 in the third set.

The consolation semifinal sent Melrose to a matchup against Pierz, a quick one. The Lady Dutchmen posted 25-20 and 25-19 wins to advance to the consolation championship.

That match saw both Park Rapids and Melrose exchange leads and runs. The Lady Dutchmen rebounded from a 25-18 loss in the first round to win 25-19 and 15-10 in the next two sets for the consolation crown.

Perham 2, Melrose 0

Serving: Shaelyn Bertram 10 serves/10 attempts, Kendra Primus 9/9 and Kari Rademacher 8/8. Kills: Avery Birch 5. Digs: Kaylee Ellering 19, Primus 8 and Rademacher 8. Assists: Ria Nelson 16.

Melrose 2, Roseau 1

Serving: Rademacher 13/14-1 ace, Bertram 12/13-1, Ellering 8/11-1 and Primus 10/10. Kills: Bertram 10, Birch 8 and Ellering 8. Digs: Ellering 12, Rademacher 11 and Primus 10. Assists: Nelson 29.

Melrose 2, Pierz 0

Serving: Ellering 15/17-4, and Jazmin Finken 9/10-1. Kills: Birch 9. Assists: Nelson 16. Digs: Rademacher 14.

Melrose 2, Park Rapids 1

Serving: Finken 14/15-2 and Rademacher 9/10. Kills: Birch 9 and Bertram 4. Blocks: Birch 2, Bertram 2 and Isabelle Jaenicke 2. Digs: Rademacher-8, Nelson-9, Ellering-7. Assists: Nelson 14.

Sauk Centre 3, Melrose 0

Melrose fell in three sets to Sauk Centre Oct. 6 at Melrose Elementary School in Melrose. The Mainstreeters dominated the final set with a 25-9 win. The other contests were tighter. Melrose fell 25-17 in the first set and 25-22 in the second.

“We played better than last time, which is hopeful,” said Emily Reller, head coach. “We learned some things and tweaked some things. We are mindful that out of the last nine games, we’ve won seven of them. That is a lot. We have come around at the end of the season.”

Melrose had good hitting for most of the night, with Avery Birch, Shaelyn Bertram and Hannah Hoppe recording kills.

“Avery is good for us on the right side but hits on both ends,” Reller said. “Shaelyn is vital for us in the middle, and Hoppe hits well from the outside.”

Serving: Nelson 10 serves/10 attempts-1 ace, Kendra Primus 9/9-1, Bertram 9/9 and Jazmin Finken 7/7-1. Kills: Birch 4 and Kaylee Ellering 4. Digs: Ellering 10. Assists: Nelson 16.

Melrose 3, WCA 0

The Lady Dutchmen rallied from behind in all three sets for a 3-0 win over West Central Area Oct. 4 at West Central Area Schools in Barrett.

Late-game runs led to a 25-21 win in the first set. Point-earned runs created a 25-25 tie in the second set. The Lady Dutchmen then won another exchange of sideouts to post a 28-26 win.

In the third set, Melrose gained the advantage late. It forced a side out for a 24-22 lead and won on an ace serve.

Serving: Nelson 17/17-2, Finken 13/15-1, Kari Rademacher 13/14, Ellering 12/12-2 and Primus 10/11. Kills: Ellering 13 and Birch 12. Assists: Nelson 42. Digs: Rademacher 15, Ellering 9 and Nelson 7.