MARSHALL - A first-set collapse had a lingering effect for the Willmar volleyball, which fell 25-22, 25-13, 25-12 to a strong Marshall team in Tuesday's season opener.
The Cardinals held a 22-21 late in the opening set but the Tigers rallied for the final four points. Willmar head coach Traci Grussing said her indecisive team "played kind of scared" and "choked at the end of the first set."
From there, it was all Marshall, as Grussing said the Tigers made adjustments while the Cardinals simply didn't counter them.
The Cardinals' Cami Sletta had seven kills, Esther Grussing had 17 assists and Addie Erickson made 15 digs for Willmar. The Cardinals will look to rebound Thursday when they host Fergus Falls at 7:30 p.m.
Marshall 3, Willmar 0
Willmar (0-1)............................ 22 13 12
Marshall (1-0).............................. 25 25 25
Willmar
Serving (aces): Cami Sletta 2, Heidi Sellman 1, Hannah Gallagher 1 ... Set assists: Esther Grussing 17... Hitting (kills): Sletta 7, Gallagher 4, Sellman 4, Carly Wedel 3, Abby Volk 1, Grussing 1... Blocking (aces): Sellman 1, Wedel 1... Digs (5 or more): Addie Erickson 15, Staci Banks 6, Wedel 5
Marshall
Stats not provided
MCA 3, NLS 0
Jenna Howden had 17 kills and Brooke Gillespie had 13 to lead the Morris/Chokio-Alberta volleyball team to a three-set victory over New London-Spicer on Tuesday in New London.
MCA's Karly Fehr had 38 set assists and Ashley Solvie had 10 kills and served an ace. Gillespie had three ace serves and also 15 digs.
NLS' Brenna Bergh had 11 kills and Erin Tebben had eight kills and was in on six blocks.
The Tigers play host to Melrose at 7:30 p.m. Thursday while the Wildcats travel to play Albany at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
Morris/CA............................ 25 26 25
NLS.............................. 20 24 13
Morris/CA
Serving (aces): Brooke Gillespie 3, Ashley Solvie 1, Koral Tollefson 2 ... Set assists: Karly Fehr 38 ... Hitting (kills): Gillespie 13, Jenna Howden 17, Ashley Solvie 10, Nicole Solvie 2 ... Blocking (aces): Howden 2, Jenna Larsen 1 ... Digs (5 or more): Gillespie 15, Fehr 6, Larsen 5, Riley Decker 12
New London-Spicer
Serving (aces): Brennah Bergh 1, Brooke Beuning 2, Kabrie Weber 2 ... Set assists: Beuning 30 ... Hitting (kills): Anika Olson 3, Ashton Engelke 1, Bergh 11, Beuning 2, Erin Tebben 8, Weber 6 ... Blocking (total): Olson 2, Bergh 2, Beuning 2, Tebben 6, Jordan King 1, Weber 4 ... Digs (5 or more): Olson 5, Bergh 5, Beuning 13, Hunter Paffrath 5, Weber 6
Murray County Central 3, Dawson-Boyd 0
Dawson-Boyd opened up its season with a dud at Murray County Central on Tuesday.
The Blackjacks were swept in three sets and didn't have much going for them until the final set. Murray County Central was all over Dawson-Boyd in the first set with a 25-15 win and just compounded that in the second set with a 25-10 win.
The Blackjacks made it close in the third but couldn't get the comeback going and lost 25-22.
Katie Willander was the team's statistical leader in set assists (8) and digs (13). She also added two aces serves.
Dawson-Boyd............................ 15 10 22
MCC.............................. 25 25 25
Dawson-Boyd
Serving (aces): Hannah Stelter 3, Katie Willander 2 ... Set assists: Willander 8, Lydia Aafedt 3, Jenna Wyum 1, Avery Bartunek 1 ... Hitting (kills): Mary Bothun 5, Bartunek 3, Stelter 2, Jalynn Popma 1, Olson 1, Wyum 2 ... Blocking (aces): Bartunek 1, Bothun 1 ... Digs (5 or more): Katie Willander 13, Amelia Olson 10
Murray County Central
Statistics not provided
MACCRAY 3, BLHS 0
Danni Burns had 10 kills, Carly Orwick had nine and Piper Asche eight in the Wolverines' straight-set victory over Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart on Tuesday.
Sydney Schwitters had 28 set assists, three ace serves and eight digs. Ellie Thein had seven kills, two ace serves, a block and 16 digs.
The Wolverines play an early match against BBE on Thursday, with the varsity set for a 2:15 p.m. start.
MACCRAY............................ 25 25 29
BLHS.............................. 15 12 27
MACCRAY
Serving (aces): Sydney Schwitters 3, Ellie Thein 2, Danni Burns 1, Meghan Listerud 1, Carly Orwick 1 ... Set assists: Schwitters 28 ... Hitting (kills): Thein 7, Burns 10, Orwick 9, Olivia Ruter 3, Piper Asche 8 ... Blocking (aces): Orwick 1, Asche 1, Thein 1 ... Digs (5 or more): Schwitters 8, Thein 16, Burns 10, Ellie Hultgren 11, Listerud 16, Orwick 8
Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart
Serving (aces): Anna Buboltz 1, Alyssa 2, Maddie Ehlers 1 ... Set assists: Ehlers 8 ... Hitting (kills): Peterson 1, Natalie Karl 1, Cassie Hettinger 1, Ehlers 2, Alaina Leske 4, Kaitlyn Kottke 1 ... Blocking (aces): Karl 1, Ehlers 1, Leske 1 ... Digs (5 or more): Keighly Daak 5
ACGC 3, EVW 0
Mare Lee had 22 assists, Rylie Wilner made 10 kills and the Falcons cruised by winless Eden Valley-Watkins.
Kendra Miller and Micayla Hobson added three aces for ACGC, which snapped a two-game losing streak to get back to .500.
ACGC (3-3)............................ 25 25 25
EVW (0-4).............................. 12 12 22
ACGC
Aces: Kendra Miller 3, Micayla Hobson 3, Taryn Reinke 1... Set assists: Mare Lee 22... Hitting (kills): Rylie Wilner 10, Miller 6, Reinke 6, Hobson 2... Blocking (aces): None... Digs (5 or more): Rayanna McRoberts 6
EVW
Stats not provided
Paynesville 3, Osakis 0
Paynesville had a strong performance against Osakis on Tuesday, getting the 3-0 victory with a few hard-fought sets.
The Bulldogs opened up the first set with a 25-22 win and had to battle into extra points in the second set before walking away with a 28-26 win and the momentum. They finished the third set 25-18 and won 3-0.
Molly Stang led the team with 16 set assists and Sydney Riley added 12 as well.
Richelle Buermann served two aces and had a team-high 24 digs.
The Bulldogs will look to keep the momentum going on Thursday at Yellow Medicine East.
Osakis............................ 22 26 18
Paynesville.............................. 25 28 25
Osakis
Statistics not provided
Paynesville
Serving (aces): Katelyn Dingmann 3, Richelle Buermann 2, Sydney Riley 1, Molly Stang 1 ... Set assists: Stang 16, Sydney Riley 12, Olivia Riley 3, Abby Shaefer 2, Megan Beckius 2, Buermann 2 ... Hitting (kills): Skylar Bayer 13, Dingmann 13, Sarah Schaefer 4, Jacqulin 3, Sydney Riley 3, Abby Schaefer 1... Blocking (aces): Schaefer 4, Hoeft 4, Dingmann 2... Digs (5 or more): Olivia Riley 16, Beckius 17, Buermann 24, Schaefer 6, Sydney Riley 6
Maple Lake 3, Litchfield 0
Maple Lake trounced Litchfield at home on Tuesday with three convincing set wins.
Litchfield managed 20 in the second set but the first and third sets were less than stellar.
Brynne Wahl led the team with 10 set assists and six kills. She also had five digs.
The Dragons will try to get back on track against Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted next Tuesday.
Litchfield............................ 15 20 14
Maple Lake.............................. 25 25 25
Litchfield
Serving (aces): Macy Huhner 1, Kassie King 1 ... Set assists: Brynne Wahl 10, Ashley Sangren 7, Huhner 2, Hallie Euerle 1, Kyndra Beavers 1 ... Hitting (kills): Wahl 6, Huhner 6, Madison Larson 2, Ashley Sangren 2, Euerle 5, Kylee Jones 1 ... Blocking (aces): Sangren 2, Huhner 1, Madison Larson 1 ... Digs (5 or more): Beavers 9, King 7, Wahl 5
Maple Lake
Statistics not provided
Hancock 3, Hillcrest Lutheran 1
Kassandra Algarate had seven kills and Ashlyn Mattson finished with 15 set assist in the Owls' win over Hillcrest on Tuesday.
The Owls take on Ortonville at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Hancock.
Hancock............................ 25 23 25 25
Hillcrest Lutheran.............................. 15 25 20 5
Hancock
Serving (aces): Ana Chavira 1, Emma Nelson 3 ... Set assists: Ashlyn Mattson 15 ... Hitting (kills): Kassandra Algarate 7, Sabrina Mattson 4, Tess Steiner 3, Nelson 1 ... Blocking (aces): Chavira 2, A. Mattson 2, Steiner 1, Bailey DeSmith 1 ... Digs (5 or more): Nelson 10
Hillcrest Lutheran
Statistics not provided
RCW 3, Redwood Valley 0
Renville County West put up a strong all-around performance against Redwood Valley on Tuesday. The Jaguars swept Redwood Valley 3-0 and faced the most trouble in the second set where RCW narrowly came out on top 25-23.
The match had impressive outings from all over the court, especially from behind the service line. The Jaguars had three different players with multiple aces including Carli Krogman who had four. Avery Elfering led the team with 18 set assists and also had nine dig and three aces. Steph Zaske was productive as well, tacking on three aces and 19 digs.
RCW has a week off until their next match and they'll try to stay undefeated against KMS on Tuesday.
Redwood Valley............................ 18 23 21
RCW (3-2).............................. 25 25 25
Redwood Falls
Statistics not provided
RCW
Serving (aces): Avery Elfering 3, Steph Zaske 3, Carli Krogman 4, Britney Marr 1, Reanna Flom 4 ... Set assists: Elfering 18, Brooke Harder 1, Flom 2, Emma Rice 1 ... Hitting (kills): Elfering 2, Zaske 1, Emily Filzen 3, Krogman 3, Marr 11, Harder 2, Rice 4, Rebekka Wordes 1 ... Blocking (aces): Filzen 4, Marr 1, Rice 2, Wordes 1 ... Digs (5 or more): Elfering 9, Zaske 19, Marr 5, Brooke Engstrom 6

Willmar loses early lead in loss to Marshall


Kneeling on the sidelines with Minnesota Vikings running back Matt Asiata quarterback Teddy Bridgewater lets lose a yawn as he watches the second team in scrimmages in the afternoon practice on the third day of the Minnesota Vikings training camp at Minnesota State University in Mankato on Sunday, July 31, 2016. (Pioneer Press: John Autey)
MINNEAPOLIS—A high sky shone over Winter Park on Thursday, the sun up and the humidity down. A gentle southeasterly breeze, the friendly harbinger of autumn, struggled to alter the form of crisply thrown footballs as sparrows flitted happily o'er verdant practice fields.
Teddy Bridgewater, surely beaming behind his facemask, threw crisp passes as far as 35 yards in front a quiet crowd of forest animals — summoned there by the Purple Fairy — who watched through the bent-back tulips in their tiny Vikings jerseys.
Yes, all was well at 9520 Viking Drive.
Even the black-clad, low-life scribes who briefly interrupted this fairy tale with their impertinence last week behaved themselves, asking players about fishing and personal journeys, and head coach Mike Zimmer about anything other than Bridgewater and his would-be backups.
Of course, sometimes that's when you get the answer you're looking for.
Asked about improvement from Shamar Stephen, a defensive lineman who apparently played quite a bit in the Vikings' two preseason games, Zimmer said something interesting about tackle Tom Johnson, who played all of last season but not as productively as the previous year.
"Last year, we probably played Tom Johnson too many plays in the preseason," Zimmer said. "So we're trying to take some plays off of him."
This is why Bridgewater didn't play in last Thursday's game in Seattle, and it's why he didn't throw a practice pass until Tuesday. It was the impetus for Zimmer's flippant answer to the gremlins when they asked him why he held the starting quarterback out against the Seahawks.
"I sat him," Zimmer said, "because I wanted to."
It was an honest, if incomplete, answer. The Vikings look and smell like a very good football team, one capable of a Super Bowl run, deep at nearly every position. But not at quarterback.
Let's twist the decoder ring a few times.
"I sat him because I wanted to; because I don't want to start Shaun Hill all season."
This is not to slight Shaun Hill too much; he's an NFL quarterback with 34 starts and two 2,000-yard seasons under his belt. But he's on the short side of 36 and hasn't looked particularly good in his few chances with Minnesota. When he became St. Louis' starter because of an injury to Sam Bradford in 2014, Hill threw for 1,657 yards, eight touchdowns and seven interceptions in 14 starts, and the Rams finished 6-10.
It wasn't long ago that fans and pundits wondered whether Bridgewater would be good enough this fall for the Vikings to improve on last season's 11-5 finish and first NFC North Division title since 2009. Suddenly, the question is what the Vikings will do if he goes down.
Bridgewater probably did have a sore shoulder last week, as reported by ESPN, and it probably threw a scare into Zimmer and everyone else at Winter Park.
There's a reason Adrian Peterson hasn't taken a preseason snap since 2011. Bridgewater, a third-year quarterback with decent credentials, certainly isn't in that category. But on this team, with this window for greatness, it wouldn't be a terrible idea for Bridgewater to sit out Sunday's game against the Chargers and the preseason finale Sept. 1 against the Los Angeles Rams.
That won't happen, of course. There are reasons Bridgewater should see some live action before the regular-season opener Sept. 11 at Tennessee, the least of them being the fact that Zimmer doesn't want to be asked about it again. That's a tough spot for a straight shooter to be in, and with the sunshine and woodland creatures back at Winter Park, it just seems easier to run Bridgewater out there for a few plays.
With fingers crossed, of course.

Maybe Bridgewater should just take a knee until Week 1


LOS ANGELES—"Don't Breathe," a twisty story of a group of teenage delinquents who pick the wrong house to burglarize, dominated the late summer box office, debuting to a potent $26.1 million and topping charts. It joins a long list of recent horror films such as "The Purge: Election Year," "The Conjuring 2," "Lights Out" and "The Shallows" that have all found success with audiences. It's a genre that's particularly attractive to studios, because these films don't require much in the way of special effects or star power, making them cheaper to produce than comic-book adventures and science-fiction fantasies.
"These are the films of bean counters' dreams," said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at comScore. "They are profit machines and even when they're poorly reviewed, people line up for them."
"Don't Breathe" was backed by Sony's Screen Gems and Steve Bersch's Stage 6 Films, and cost less than $10 million to produce. It more than doubled its production budget in a single weekend, after rolling out across 3,051 locations. The film follows a gang of thieves who find out that the blind man whose house they've targeted isn't as helpless as he appears. Instead of making off with loot, they are pitted in a deadly cat-and-mouse game.
Related 'Ben-Hur' Could Lose $100 Million at Box Office
Sony screened the film at SXSW and Comic-Con in order to build buzz. It also relied heavily on digital platforms to drive enthusiasm for the picture, debuting spots on Snapchat, crafting animated gifs for Twitter and Facebook and launching interactive mobile apps.
"This film is going to be a big moneymaker for us," said Rory Bruer, Sony's distribution chief. "We knew we had something special here. This is a film that's all about keeping people jumping out of their seats and holding onto the person next to them."
"Don't Breathe" displaced "Suicide Squad" from its perch atop charts. After finishing in first for three consecutive weekends, the super-villain mash-up had to settle for second place this weekend with about $12.1 million at 3,582 locations. The Warner Bros. release has earned $282.9 million domestically, a muscular result given that critics derided the film as one of the season's worst.
Among new releases, Lionsgate bowed "Mechanic: Resurrection," a follow-up to the 2011 cult hit "The Mechanic," in 2,258 locations, where it earned $7.5 million. That's less than the first "Mechanic's" $11.4 million domestic debut. The sequel centers on an assassin (Jason Statham) who is lured out of retirement for a series of hits in exotic locales. It co-stars Tommy Lee Jones, Michelle Yeoh and Jessica Alba.
Fans of the 44th president got a tour down memory lane with "Southside with You" from Roadside Attractions and Miramax. The romantic drama looks at Barack and Michelle Obama's first date, and debuted to $3.1 million from 813 sites. It will have a modest increase in screens next weekend. The film hits theaters as popular opinion of the Obama administration continues to rise, but the improvement in the president's standing didn't factor into release plans, the studios say.
"It helps, but we weren't banking on it," said Howard Cohen, Roadside Attractions' co-president. "If it had been the reverse, it might have given us pause, but it's not like we read the approval ratings and said, 'okay, let's go to 800 screens.'"
The Weinstein Company countered with the boxing drama "Hands of Stone," a biopic about Panamanian fighter Roberto Duran, that opened to $1.7 million at 810 locations. The indie label plans to expand the film to roughly 2,500 locations over Labor Day. Executives at the company said they were particularly pleased by the film's A CinemaScore rating; a sign that the film is being embraced by those who see it.
"People love the movie," said David Glasser, the Weinstein Company's COO and president. "The conversation around the movie has begun and we think it's going to continue to keep building."
In third place, Focus Features' "Kubo and the Two Strings" added $7.8 million to its $24.8 million domestic haul. Sony's "Sausage Party" nabbed fourth position, picking up roughly $7.7 million to bring its total to just under $80 million. Rounding out the top five, Disney's "Pete's Dragon" snagged $7.3 million, driving its stateside gross to $54.7 million.
In limited release, Sony Pictures Classics bowed "The Hollars," a family dramedy that was directed by "The Office" star John Krasinski, on four screens where it made $46,068, for a per-theater average of $11,517.
Paramount and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's "Ben-Hur" solidified its status as one of the year's biggest bombs joining the likes of "Ghostbusters" and "The Huntsman: Winter's War." The biblical epic dropped 60% to $4.5 million, bringing its total to $19.6 million. Rival studios estimate that the film could lose $100 million, while sources close to the film peg that figure as between $60 million and $75 million. MGM put up 80% of the film's cost.
Overall revenues were up 31% from the year-ago period; a weekend that saw the debut of the religious drama "War Room" and the Owen Wilson thriller "No Escape." After a sluggish start and a series of high-profile bombs such as "The BFG" and "Alice Through the Looking Glass," ticket sales have rebounded. Receipts are running neck-and-neck with last year and some think that this summer's revenues could be the second-highest in history when not factoring in inflation.
That's somewhat deceptive, however. Ticket prices have hit record highs, which are helping to boost revenues. As it currently stands, ticket sales could be the lowest in roughly two decades, according to Box Office Mojo. Some analysts believe there's not a lot to celebrate.
"These films have no longevity," said Jeff Bock, a box office analyst with Exhibitor Relations. "Hollywood gave audiences what it thought they wanted—a bunch of sequels and reboots—and guess what, it didn't work. So they have to ask themselves, what can we offer now?"
Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that "The Hollars" was John Krasinski's feature film debut. He previously directed 2009's "Brief Interviews with Hideous Men." It also had the wrong domestic total for "Pete's Dragon."

Box office: 'Don't Breathe' Scares Up $26.1 million as hot summer for horror continues


Aug 28, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back C.J. Ham (30) carries the ball during the fourth quarter in a preseason game against the San Diego Chargers at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings won 23-10. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 28, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end MyCole Pruitt (83) catches a pass against the San Diego Chargers in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings won 23-10. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 28, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) throws the ball during the first quarter in a preseason game against the San Diego Chargers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
MINNEAPOLIS—Teddy Bridgewater gave the fans at U.S. Bank Stadium plenty to cheer about and then he turned into a cheerleader.
The Vikings quarterback returned after missing one game because of an apparent sore shoulder and led them Sunday to a 23-10 preseason win over San Diego before a sellout crowd of 66,133 in the first game at the sparkling, $1.1 billion new stadium.
Playing the first half, Bridgewater completed 12 of 16 passes for 161 yards and a touchdown. Then in the second half, Bridgewater was seemingly the biggest fan in the house, rooting on his teammates while getting plenty of sideline air time in the nationally televised game.
"It was a great atmosphere and it's just great being back out there,'' Bridgewater said.
Bridgewater sat out the 18-11 preseason win at Seattle on Aug. 18 and didn't throw during two practices after that, with Vikings coach Mike Zimmer declining to give a reason why. Zimmer did say he had no concern about his quarterback, and he hammered that home after Sunday's game.
"I told you there was nothing to worry about,'' Zimmer said. "Sometimes you just got to trust me.''
Bridgewater showed there was no cause for concern by throwing plenty of crisp passes and even having a 22-yard run. His last three tosses were completions in a two-minute drill to Charles Johnson for 19 yards, to Stefon Diggs for 22 and to Kyle Rudolph for 27 and a touchdown.
The pass to Rudolph over the middle gave the Vikings the lead for good at 12-10 with 1:18 left in the first half. It came after Rudolph had lost a fumble earlier in the second quarter at the San Diego 45, a play he said he battled two defenders unnecessarily in an attempt to get extra yards.
"It was just great execution right there and understanding the situation,'' Bridgewater said of the two-minute drill leading to Rudolph's score.
Bridgewater was replaced in the second half by Shaun Hill, who played one series before giving way to Joel Stave. Then he stood on the sidelines, cheering a number of big plays by the Vikings.
Bridgewater pointed downfield, showing a possession change when rookie cornerback Mackensie Alexander had a fourth-quarter interception. He cheered wildly when linebacker Terrance Plummer made a big hit on a punt return and when rookie safety Jayron Kearse had an interception return for 38 yards.
"Man, I was excited,'' Bridgewater said. "I'm excited when all those young guys are out there being able to compete.''
The Vikings gave fans plenty to be excited about in their debut at U.S. Bank Stadium. Sometimes things even turned out right when they looked to be going wrong.
Early in the third quarter, Hill threw a pass to tight end MyCole Pruitt, who fumbled after an 11-yard gain to the San Diego 3. But the ball rolled into the end zone and was recovered by wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson for a touchdown. The Vikings extended the lead to 20-10 on Hill's two-point conversion pass to Treadwell.
Other stars Sunday included running back Jerick McKinnon, who carried eight times for 56 yards, including a 35-yard jaunt, Diggs, who caught five balls for 71 yards and defensive end Justin Trattou, who had two sacks.
But the real star was the stadium.
"It's incredible,'' Rudolph said. "I can't wait to get out there (for the Sept. 11 regular-season opener against Green Bay) and really open this place for real. Just the environment and atmosphere we for a preseason game was one, if not the best, that I've been in for any game.''
Kicker Blair Walsh, who booted field goals of 23, 33 and 23 yards, called the atmosphere "crazy'' for a preseason game. Bridgewater said the fans are right behind the players on the bench and he loved interacting with them.
Zimmer liked the atmosphere but said the Vikings are still learning about their new digs. He even had to ask where the timeouts remaining were displayed.
On the field, Zimmer lauded the play of Bridgewater, was pleased to see the Vikings run for 122 yards, and generally liked the play of the defense. Of course, he also saw things needing to be corrected.
The Vikings had trouble scoring touchdowns in the red zone, lost two fumbles and Bridgewater was sacked three times in the first half, although Zimmer attributed some of that to left tackle Matt Kalil being out. Zimmer didn't like seeing San Diego's Melvin Gordon score on a 39-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter for a 7-6 Chargers lead, but he blamed himself for a calling a blitz on first down.
Overall, though, Zimmer was in good spirits. That was in stark contrast to his crummy mood after the Seattle game.
"Hope I don't get any question about (Bridgewater's) arm,'' he said in his opening remarks after the game.

Vikings open new stadium with preseason win


WILLMAR — The loss of No. 1 singles player Cayle Hovland was too much for Willmar to overcome as the Cardinals dropped a tight 4-3 Central Lakes Conference final to Rocori in girls tennis Tuesday.
Filling in for the injured Hovland, Elise Bierbaum hung with Rocori's Brynn Sauer but couldn't get over the hump in either set, losing 7-5, 7-6.
The biggest difference came in doubles, with the Spartans winning all three matches.
In defeat, Willmars second, third and fourth singles players all won with ease.
Jordyn Swoboda won 6-3, 6-1 at No. 2, while Lydia Morrell and Chloe Hansen each earned 6-1, 6-0 wins at 3- and 4-doubles.
Rocori 4, Willmar 3
Singles
(1) Brynn Sauer, R, def. Elise Bierbaum 7-5, 7-6 (2) Jordyn Swoboda, W, def. Abby Kaluza 6-3 6-1 (3) Lydia Morrell, W, def. Megan Kallhoff 6-1 6-0 (4) Chloe Hanson, W, def. Andrea Eisenschenk 6-1 6-0
Doubles
(1) Carly Reitmeier and Hailey Torborg, R, def. Kya Egge and Ashley Prahl 6-0 6-3 (2) Grace Schneider and Amanda Molitor, R, def. Amanda Zuidema and Avery Hovland 6-0 3-6 6-3 (3) Drew Jokela and Amanda Schroden, R, def. Olivia Corneil and Makenna Hogan 6-2 4-6 6-4
Benson/KMS 4, Melrose 3
Benson/KMS faced their strongest competition of the year so far on Tuesday and eked out a West Central Conference victory.
Melrose featured strong competitors at No. 1 and No. 2 singles but Benson/KMS was the deeper team. Melrose's Becky Klaphake bested Katie Samuelson in a three set match and Madison Worms outlasted Benson/KMS' Kellie Enderson 6-0 7-6 (7-5).
From there, though, Benson/KMS took over and soundly won at No. 3 and 4 singles.
Depth was the key for Benson/KMS once again in doubles, where they grabbed victories at No. 2 and 3 doubles.
Singles
(1) Becky Klaphake, M, def. Katie Samuelson 6-3 2-6 6-3 (2) Madison Worms, M, def. Kellie Enderson 6-0 7-6 (7-5) (3) Anne Dieter, B, def. Allie Toenies 6-3 6-1 (4) Sophia Curriel, B, def. McKayla Schleper 6-3 6-1
Doubles
(1) Mady Brinkman and Jessica Kerfeld, M, def. Gracie Grussing and Olivia Vergin 5-7 6-1 6-3 (2) Grace Ricard and Olivia Hoffman, B, def. Hayden Rausch and Kristen Bussmann 6-2 6-2 (3) Rose McDonald and Cassandra Fugleberg, B, def. Christine Rolfzen and Hanna Wiechmann 6-0 6-2
LQPV/DB 6, YME 1
Lac qui Parle Valley/Dawson-Boyd looked strong against Yellow Medicine East on Tuesday. YME was only able to grab one win at No. 4 singles. Raelin Enstad beat Bree Kalloff 6-2, 6-4 as a silver lining for the Sting.
Molly Hacker and Ashtyn Oie defeated their opponents in straight sets at No. 1 and No. 2 singles.
In No.1 doubles, Courtney Hanson and Karissa Jahn put up a dominant 6-0, 6-0 score against Rachel Trudel and Emilee Speh and LQPV/DB went on to sweep doubles.
Singles
(1) Molly Hacker, L, def. Anne Clarke 6-4 6-3 (2) Ashtyn Oie, L, def. Whitney Tennis 6-4 6-1 (3) Katie Breberg, L, def. Chelsey Niemeyer 1-6 6-4 7-6 (4) Raelin Enstad, Y, def. Bree Kalloff 6-2 6-4
Doubles
(1) Courtney Hanson and Karissa Jahn, L, def. Rachel Trudel and Emilee Speh 6-0 6-0 (2) Anna Hacker and Jessica Sigdahl, L, def. Hannah Lecy and Chelsea Hoernemann 6-2 6-3 (3) Addi Oie and Rachel Halvorson, L, def. Macie Sik and Kindra Wintz 6-1 6-1
Minnewaska 7, MACCRAY 0
Minnewaska put up a dominant performance against MACCRAY on Tuesday. The Lakers won all seven matches in straight sets including three 6-0, 6-0 victories.
Danielle Thorfinnson and Myranda Thoen shut out their opponents at No. 2 and 3 singles while Aiden Riley and Madelynn Reichmann did the same to their No. 2 doubles opponent.
Singles
(1) Joelle Thorfinnson, MW, def. Missy Marcus 6-2 6-0 (2) Danielle Thorfinnson, MW, def. Kendra Hammerschmidt 6-0 6-0 (3) Myranda Thoen, MW, def. Allison Shubert 6-0 6-0 (4) Alissa Thorfinnson, MW, def. Jade Bedel 6-0 6-1
Doubles
(1) Anna Vold and Greta Reichmann, MW, def. Heather Marcus and Jessica Wellnitz 6-1 6-2 (2) Aiden Riley and Madelynn Reichman, MW, def. Grace Haugen and Haley Rhode 6-0 6-0 (3) Camryn Mithun and Hannah Orlowski, MW, def. McKayla Hopp and Elizabeth Dlatorre 6-0 6-1
Montevideo 5, Redwood Valley 2
A sweep of doubles and a singles split helped the Thunder Hawks get an easy win.
Erica Loose and Andrea Loose won 6-0, 6-0 at No. 2 doubles while Taylor Knutson and Abigail Gremmels dropped just one set at No. 3.
Monte's Kori Douglas (No. 2 singles), Elizabeth Padula (No.4) and the No. 1 doubles team of Anna VanRavenswaay and Rachel West also won in straight sets.
Singles
(1) Janessa Whitaker, RV, def. Kendra Wanke 6-3 6-3 (2) Kori Douglas, M, def. Gabby Hoble 6-3 6-1 (3) Ashlyn Doering, RV, def. Susannah Wamstad 6-3 6-2 (4) Elizabeth Padula, M, def. Annika Gibby 6-4 6-2
Doubles
(1) Anna VanRavenswaay and Rachel West, M, def. Lauren Kodet and Gillian Read 7-5 6-2 (2) Erica Loose and Andrea Loose, M, def. Bailey Klause and Tess Minshower 6-0 6-0 (3) Taylor Knutson and Abigail Gremmels, M, def. Brian Sandy and Aubrey Bidinger 6-0 6-1
Foley 7, NLS 0
No. 3 singles player Kylie Thompson was the only Wildcat to win more than one game in a set as Foley cruised by New London-Spicer on Tuesday in Foley.
Singles
(1) Kayla McIver, F, def. Erin Loterbauer 6-0 6-0 (2) Kylee Funk, F, def Shea Oman 6-0 6-0 (3) Kylee Frisbie, F, def. Kylie Thompson 6-4 6-2 (4)Olivia Wells, F, def. Alex Suchy 6-0 6-1
Doubles
(1)Peyton Kopel and Maddie Gorecki, F, def. Emma Spors and Annika Spors 6-1 6-1 (2) Hailey Kurtz and Maggie Kipka, F, def. Michelle Johnson and Jenna Proehl 6-0 6-0 (3) Kate Corrigan and Dani Rueckert, F, def. April Groff and Ava Hanson 6-1 6-1
Litchfield 4, Hutchinson 3
Natalie Nelson, Shanny Kinny and Laney Huhner won singles matches to stake Litchfield to three points and Avery Stilwell and Vaida Behnke wrapped up the match, coming from a set down to win at 1-doubles on Tuesday.
The Dragons travel to play Delano at 4:15 p.m. Thursday.
Singles
(1) Natalie Nelson, L, def. Olivia Watzke 6-4 6-1 (2) Shanna Kinny, L, def. Grace Johnson 6-2 6-2 (3) Laney Huhner, L, def. Sydney Mandelkow 6-2 6-2 (4) Bella Maher, H, def. Taylar Smith 6-4 4-6 6-3
Doubles
(1) Avery Stilwell/Vaida Behnke, L, def. Ellie Larson/Molly Trettin 5-7 6-0 6-4 (2) Olivia Hansen/Kaitlyn Kellerman, H, def. Alyssa Ross/Neriah Lara 6-0 6-2 (3) Britta Johnson/Haley Knorr, H, def. Morgan Randt/Maddy Benson 7-6 (7-5) 2-6 6-0
Monday's result
Minnewaska 5, Osakis 2
The Lakers kept their hot streak going against Osakis on Monday. Joelle Thorfinnson had to battle in her No. 1 singles match against Tia Dykema but prevailed with a strong third set, ultimately winning 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.
The remaining singles competitors from Minnewaska won in straight sets.
Osakis got their first win of the day at No. 1 doubles. Nicolle Klukken and Liz Sabrowsky were in a close battle with Minnewaska's Anna Vold and Greta Reichmann, which eventually went in Osakis' favor 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, 7-5.
Osakis grabbed an easy win at No. 2 doubles but Minnewaska bounced back and took a No. 3 doubles victory to finish the match 5-2.
Singles
(1) Joelle Thorfinnson, MW, def. Tia Dykema 6-4 4-6 6-3 (2) Danielle Thorfinnson, MW, def. Shea Olson 6-1 6-4 (3) Myranda Thoen, MW, def.Lauren Scherr 6-2 6-1 (4) Alissa Thorfinnson, MW, def. Camryn Hoffarth 6-3 6-2
Doubles
(1) Nicolle Klukken and Liz Sabrowsky, O, def. Anna Vold and Greta Reichmann 7-6 (7-4) 4-6 7-5 (2) Karlee Hoffarth and Kali Giesler, O, def. Madelynn Reichmann and Raelynn Wildman 6-1 6-0 (3) Hannah Orlowski and Camry Mithun, MW, def. Kiara Hensley and Dinara Dykema 7-6 (7-5) 2-6 10-7


WATERTOWN - Willmar girls proved that there's a lot they need to work on after Tuesday's season-opening 5-0 loss to Watertown-Mayer.
The Royals opened up the scoring early at home with a Quinn Nichols goal in the fifth minute. McKenzie Bohach doubled the score three minutes later with one of her own.
The second half just got worse for the Cardinals when Bailey Barden and Claire Killian scored a pair right after the second half-opening whistle.
Killian added another in the 66th minute.
"We just underestimated our opponents and that's not good in your first game," head coach Chelsea Brown said.
The Cardinals were outshot 17-8 in the game and goalie Laura Christianson was forced to make 12 saves in the game.
Willmar will hope for a better reception at home on Thursday when they play hosts to St. Cloud Apollo.
Watertown-Mayer 5, Willmar 0
Willmar (0-1)................. 0 0 — 0
Watertown-Mayer (2-0)................... 2 3 — 5
FIRST HALF — (1) Watertown-Mayer - Quinn Nichols 5th minute ... (2) Watertown-Mayer McKenzie Bohach 8th minute
SECOND HALF — (3) Bailey Barden 46th minute ... (4) Claire Killian 47th minute ... (5) Killian 66th minute
SHOTS ON GOAL — Willmar 8 ... Watertown-Mayer 17
GOALIE SAVES — Willmar: Laura Christianson 12 ... Watertown-Mayer: Sage Heitz 8
DEFENSIVE SAVES — none


Aug 12, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Minnesota Vikings center Joe Berger (61) against the Cincinnati Bengals in a preseason NFL football game at Paul Brown Stadium. The Vikings won 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
MINNEAPOLIS—The battle at center is winding down for the Vikings, and a decision is expected soon.
Joe Berger started and played the first half in Sunday's 23-10 preseason win over San Diego at U.S. Bank Stadium. But Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said not too much should be read into that as Berger battles John Sullivan for the job.
Sullivan had started the first two preseason games and didn't play Sunday. Berger had started the first two at right guard in place of injured Brandon Fusco, and saw his first action of the preseason at center with Fusco back.
"It was really more of a thing, we've seen Sullivan in two preseason games (and) Berger hasn't played center in any of the two preseason games,'' Zimmer said. "We talked to (Berger on Saturday) and we hadn't seen that combination with him and Fusco together.''
Sullivan was Minnesota's starter for six straight years before missing all of last season with a back problem. Berger filled in and was rated the NFL's second-best center by Pro Football Focus.
"I don't know that it means that or it doesn't mean that,'' Berger said of Sunday being an indication he has the lead for the job. "Obviously, there's been talk during the (training) camp about (the competition) and we've not thought too much about that because you don't know what they're thinking.''
Offensive line coach Tony Sparano said last week that he expected a decision to be made not long after Sunday's game. The exhibition season concludes Thursday at home against Los Angeles, and starters often don't play in the finale.
"I think the opportunity is there, but we'll see,'' Berger said about again having a chance to start. "That's their decision and we'll let them sort that out. I want to play good football.''
Sendejo tightens grip on strong safety job
Andrew Sendejo has had a solid preseason, but he also might end up being the last Vikings strong safety candidate standing.
Sendejo was the starter last season and entered training camp No. 1 on the depth chart. His chances to start again seem even better after two competitors for the job were both limping around the locker room after Sunday's game.
Michael Griffin was on crutches, and wouldn't comment on his injury. Zimmer said Griffin's back locked up.
Antone Exum, who has been a long shot to win the job, was carted off the field in the second quarter and had his left knee in a brace after the game. Zimmer said Exum had an MRI but results weren't available yet.
Exum said he "just fell.'' Asked about the severity of his injury, he said, "I don't know.''
Meanwhile, Sendejo had a typical game. He was credited with three tackles and had a pass defended while being one of the few starters to play into the second half.
"I think I have an idea,'' Zimmer said after the game on his starter at strong safety. "I know (the media has) to ask me, but it's important I tell the players where I think they are before I tell you guys.''
Sendejo is in line to be the starter for a second straight year. Last season, he started 13 games while missing three because of injury.
"It really not up to me (who starts),'' Sendejo said. "I think that's up to them to figure out. I just go out and play ball. I just try to improve every day and try to get better.''
Injury updates
Also sidelined during Sunday's game was tight end MyCole Pruitt, who suffered a leg injury in the third quarter and did not return. Zimmer said Pruitt had an MRI, with the results not yet known.
Among those not playing for health-related reasons were defensive end Everson Griffen, offensive tackle Matt Kalil, cornerback Xavier Rhodes, linebacker Eric Kendricks, safety Anthony Harris, defensive tackle Scott Crichton and tight end Rhett Ellison.
Zimmer said it is nothing serious with Griffen, who was replaced by Danielle Hunter, and has said Kalil should be fine. Rhodes has a hamstring issue that is not considered serious and Ellison isn't quite ready after coming off the physically unable to perform list last week.
Kendricks practiced throughout the week, and there was some belief he would play. However, Kendricks, who suffered an apparent hamstring injury Aug. 6, missed his third straight preseason game.
"Obviously, I want to be out there, but I'm just listening to my trainers and coaches and working hard,'' Kendricks said.


Aug 28, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) throws the ball against the San Diego Chargers in the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
The unyielding Vikings quarterback quashed any concerns about his right arm with a series of robust throws Sunday during the first half of Minnesota's 23-10 victory over San Diego in the NFL debut of glittering U.S. Bank Stadium.
Bridgewater completed 12 of 16 passes for 161 yards and a touchdown before transitioning to cheerleader in chief on the sidelines, his game-day missions complete until the Sept. 11 regular-season opener at Tennessee.
"I told you there was nothing to worry about; sometimes you've just got to trust me," said Vikings coach Mike Zimmer.
The master of counterintelligence who created a vacuum for speculation about the health of his starting quarterback and then wondered what all the fuss was about was gloating, and why not?
Zimmer's cold shoulder treatment of Bridgewater's throwing arm and whatever sidelined him last week against Seattle was a bunch of hot air for media and the old ball coach to blow at each other during the dog days of the preseason.
Pardon the skepticism, Mike, when it comes to questions about the pre-eminent player on your team and the reliability of his throwing arm.
This is the NFL, a paranoid police state that fostered hyperventilating coverage about the inflation of its balls before paying lawyers $2.5 million to prosecute Tom Brady and stalk his cellphone records.
And these are the Vikings, who had honest-as-the-day-is-long coach Leslie Frazier assuring the world Christian Ponder's elbow was fine two days before the quarterback almost had his right arm amputated hours before a 2013 playoff game against Green Bay.
Zimmer could have declared Bridgewater's shoulder sore or fatigued because of preseason work and was sitting against the Seahawks as a precaution.
A simple, truthful explanation in Seattle would not have compromised any Vikings state secrets. News leaked out anyway. Always does.
But it would have spared everyone a plunge down the rabbit hole of needless conjecture that turned a one-day story into a weeklong saga.
Maybe Zimmer the puppet master was just having some fun.
He could not have been happy the way Minnesota's offense started in their new $1.1 billion sandbox. Familiarity breeds contempt, and there was plenty of both during most of the first half.
There was way too much pressure on Bridgewater, who spent most of the 2015 season scrambling into and out of trouble.
Another turnstile at left tackle, with T.J. Clemmings donning the scarlet letter in place of injured Matt Kalil.
Also omnipresent was Teddy KGB ("check, check, check!") as Bridgewater attempted only two passes of more than 10 yards and completed just one—which tight end Kyle Rudolph promptly fumbled.
A pair of red-zone drives stalled and resulted in field goals.
With two minutes left in the second quarter and the Vikings backed up deep, Bridgewater was sacked for the third time, forcing them to burn a timeout.
Forget his shoulder. Who was protecting Bridgewater's spleen?
Suddenly, the dark clouds dissipated and the sunshine pouring through the stadium's transparent roof finally broke through in the Vikings' huddle. Bridgewater loaded up in the shotgun formation and started pumping, standing tall despite a persistently collapsing pocket.
Bang! Charles Johnson over the middle for 19 yards.
Bang! Stefon Diggs deep to the right sideline for 22 more.
Bang! Rudolph down the seam for 27 yards and a touchdown, avenging his earlier turnover.
"I think when we give this kid time to throw the ball you can see what he can do with it," Zimmer said.
Sixty-eight yards passing in 34 seconds to punctuate a scoring drive was a fine way for Bridgewater to punctuate his preseason, with reserves ticketed to play Thursday night's finale against Los Angeles.
"After I took that sack, we had timeouts on our side that allowed us to stay aggressive, push the ball down the field," said Bridgewater. "The offensive line did a great job finishing that drive, allowing us to score that touchdown."
Lest anyone forget, Bridgewater's legs work just fine.
In the first quarter, he practically snapped Adrian Phillips' ankles with an open-field juke that left the Chargers' safety grasping at air during a 22-yard scramble that converted a 3rd-and-6.
"When you have a guy like Adrian Peterson you're handing the ball off to," Bridgewater explained, "you take notes so when you get the opportunity, you're like, 'Hey, I want to be like Adrian Peterson, here and try to make this guy miss.'"
Bridgewater was asked whether his performance effectively calmed any anxieties about his arm.
"I hope I did," he said. "I hope I did by just going out there and competing also. The shoulder's feeling great. I had some fun out there playing with the guys and I can't wait to get back out there."
Finally, a straight answer.

MURPHY: Bridgewater shows there's no reason to panic


MINNEAPOLIS -- A man reportedly attempted to open an exterior airplane door during a packed cross-country flight Monday, prompting an emergency landing at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
Alaska Airlines flight 7, traveling from New York City to Seattle, made an emergency landing at the Twin Cities airport about 9:45 a.m., according to a spokeswoman for the airline.
Once on the ground, an “unruly passenger” who, according to flight crew, had attempted to open an exterior door on the plane was removed by law enforcement, said spokeswoman Halley Knigge.
The plane, a Boeing 737 900 ER carrying 181 passengers, was delayed for roughly two hours.
Knigge said such exterior doors are impossible to open in the air, as such an effort would have to overcome thousands of pounds of pressure.
An airport spokeswoman confirmed that a man was removed from the flight by police and taken to a nearby hospital, and that the investigation would be taken over by the FBI.
She added the man had been restrained on the flight and had his hands tied behind his back when airport police first made contact with him, but no injuries were reported.

Emergency landing made in Minnesota after passenger tries to open jet door


MOORHEAD — The nationally ranked Willmar girls cross country team opened the 2016 season with a bang, placing all seven of its runners in the top 14 to dominate the field at the Shocky Strand Invitational on Monday.
The Willmar boys placed fifth in its 10-team field with 132 points. Perham won with 42 points.
In the girls race, Jessa Hanson placed second, Kayla Rudie placed third, Sophie Schmitz was fourth and Heidi Schmitz finished eighth.
Leah Hanson rounded out the scoring with a 10th-place finish and Serena Monson (12th) and Elise Duininck (14th) weren't far behind.
"Our top seven girls all improved on their times from last year on the same course while running a smart conservative race," said head coach Jerry Popp.
The Cardinals girls, ranked No. 7 nationally, run against Edina, ranked No. 5 nationally, at the Hopkins Invite at Gale Woods Farm on Sept. 8 in Minnetrista.
"That will feature many metro schools and give us a feeling for where we are at state-wise," Popp said. "We still have some work to do but it is early."
In the boys race, Mason Wendt was Willmar's top finisher in 13th place. Harley Anez placed 19th and Jonas Anez was 29th.
"We are very young and it showed today as our guys were all over the place," Popp said. "We are hoping to add a few kids yet and we have the talent to move up."
Shocky Strand Invite
BOYS
Team scoring
(1) Perham 42 (2) Bemidji 68 (3) Fargo Davies 81 (4) Grand Forks Red River 86 (5) Willmar 132 (6) Grand Forks Central 139 (7) Moorhead 139 (8) Fergus Falls 257 (9) Thief River Falls 291 (10 Hawley-Ulen Hitterdal 299
Individual
TOP FIVE — (1) Hunter Lucas, FD, 15:49.16 (2) Ben Hutchison, GFRR, 16:36.26 (3) Isaac Berg, Bem, 16:39.51 (4) Jacob Dickerson, Per, 17:06.26 (5) Richie Osborn, GFC, 17:15.41
WILLMAR — (13) Mason Wendt 17:46.20 (19) Harley Anez 18:05.86 (29) Jonas Anez 18:28.14 (35) Hudeife Mire 18:46.51 (36) Kyle Knofczynski 18:48.93 (39) Jared Ruter 18:54.03 (41) Cael Carlson 18:59.26
GIRLS
Team scoring
(1) Willmar 27 (2) Grand Forks Central 63 (3) Fargo Davies 93 (4) Perham 94 (5) Bemidji 118 (6) Moorhead 130 (7) Thief River Falls 209 (8) Fergus Falls 227
Individual
TOP FIVE — (1) Karly Ackley, GFC, 18:08.97 (2) Jessa Hanson 19:00.20 (3) Kayla Rudie 19:03.97 (4) Sophie Schmitz 19:18.64 (8) Heidi Schmitz 19:35.64 (10) Leah Haxxxx
TEAM — J. Hanson, Rudie, S. Schmitz, (8) Heidi Schmitz 19:35.64 (10) Leah Hanson 19:49.84 (12) Serena Monson 20:07.93 (14) Elise Duininck 20:13.43
MCA Invite
Sadie Thompson and Jordyn Sterud each finished in the top five, leading Lac qui Parle Valley/Dawson Boyd to a win at a 14-team Morris/Chokio-Alberta Invite Monday in Morris.
LQPV/DB finished with a score of 42, seven points better than runner-up Rocori.
Thompson finished in 21 minutes to take second, while Sterud placed fourth in 21:32.
Isabel Schirm (9th, 22:09.3), Georgia Will (12th, 22:27) and Grace Hegland (15th, 22:36) completed the scoring.
Two other local runners placed in the top 20.
New London-Spicer's Maddie Bisek finished 20th in 23 minutes. NLS placed fifth with 187 points. Morris/CA's Savannah Aanerud was 17th for sixth-place. The Tigers finished at 189.
Paynesville was ninth with 207. Benson/KMS had just four runners and didn't record a score.
In the boys race, Keiser Freetly and Mike Kvaaal each had top-10 finishes but LQPV/DB had to settle for second, scoring 79 to West Central Area's 48.
Freetly placed fourth in 17:23, with Kvaal running an 18:12 for sixth.
NLS' Tristan Thompson was the only other local to place in the top 10. He was 10th in 18:36.
Morris (169 points), NLS (191), Paynesville (195) and Benson/KMS (246) placed seventh through 10th in the team standings.
GIRLS
Team scoring
(1) LQPV/DB 42 (2) Rocori 49 (3) Canby/Minneota 106 (4) Melrose 176 (5) NLS 187 (6) MACA 189 (7) Redwood Valley 197 (8) Sauk Centre 199 (9) Paynesville 207 (10) Hendricks 258; Benson/KMS, WCA, Osakis and Wheaton/H-N Incomplete
Individual
TOP FIVE — (1) Jayda Woods, R, 20:15 (2) Sadie Thompson, LQPV/DV, 21:00 (3) Lauren Karnitz, RV, 21:13 (4) Jordyn Sterud, LQPV/DB, 21:32 (5) Carley Kraemer, R, 21:50
LQPV/DB— (2) Thompson 21:00 (4) Sterud 21:32 (9) Isabel Schirm 22:09.3 (12) Georgia Will 22:27 (15) Grace Hegland 22:36
NLS— (20) Maddie Bisek, 23:00 (21) Taylor Harrier 23:01 (38) Danielle Jamison 25:14 (41) Olivia Vincent 25:23 (67) Caroline Wehseler 29:00
MACA— (17) Savannah Aanerud 22:51 (25) Malory Anderson 23:10 (34) Midori Soderberg 24:40 (50) Correy Hickman 26:40 (63) Kaylie Raths 28:44
Paynesville— (30) Macy Carlson 24:03 (35) Alyssa Meed 24:45 (39) Ellie Zimmerman 25:19 (49) Katelyn Spanier 26:19 (55) Kjerstin Campbell 27:51
Benson/KMS— (51) Tessa Grewe 27:19 (54) Kaitlyn Berreau 27:42 (64) Amiah Akerson 28:52 (74) Ashley Tostenson 30:41
BOYS
Team scoring
(1) WCA 48 (2) LQPV/DB 79 (3) Rocori 91 (4) Redwood Valley 129 (5) Melrose 132 (6) Canby/Minneota 166 (7) MACA 169 (8) NLS 191 (9) Paynesville 195 (10)Benson/KMS 246 (11) Sauk Centre 315; Osakis and Hendricks Incomplete
Individual
TOP FIVE — (1) Ryley Nelson, WCA, 17:01 (2) Jacob Bright, WCA, 17:19 (3) Keiser Freetly, LQPV/DB, 17:23 (4) Carter Menz, RV, 17:37 (5) Evan Wigham, R, 18:03
LQPV/DB— (3) Freetly 17:23 (6) Mike Kvaal 18:12 (13) Braxton Thompson 18:50 (28) Eean Allpres 20:04 (29) Colby Deuth 20:12
MACA— (11) Solomon Johnson 18:38 (19) Noah Stewart 19:30 (30) Tate Nelson 20:15 (35) Tyler Reimers 20:28 (72) Dylan DeToy 23:14
NLS— (10) Tristan Thompson 18:36 (33) Ty Bisek 20:23 (48) Carter Andreson 21:10 (49) Ander Arnold 21:11 (51) Tyson P{rentice 21:41
Paynesville— (22) Preston Carlson 19:44 (32) Eric Johnson 20:22 (45) Riley Zimerman 21:02 (46) James Pritchett 21:06 (50) Brody Strand 21:21
Benson/KMS— (17) Brady Ascheman 19:18 (18) Jonathan Tostenson 19:27 (65) Enoch Driscoll 22:18 (69) Eli Wold 22:57.5 (77) Austin Ose 24:40
Girls Tennis
LQPV/DB 5, Pipestone 2
The Lac qui Parle Valley/Dawson-Boyd girls tennis team took three singles matches and Courtney Hanson and Karissa Jahn and Addi Oie and Rachel Halverson won at 1- and 3-doubles in a victory over Pipestone on Monday.
Molly Hacker, Ashtyn Oie and Katie Breberg picked up LQPV/DB's singles victories.
Singles
(1) Molly Hacker, L, def. Lauren Lapthorn 6-4 6-2 (2) Ashtyn Oie, L, def. Paige Ahrendt 6-0 4-6 10-5 (3) Katie Breberg, L, def. Hannah Berg 6-1 6-1 (4) Carmen Skyberg, P, def. Bree Kalloff 6-4 6-3
Doubles
(1) Courtney Hanson/Karissa Jahn, L, def. Kirsten Houg/Serena Wipf 6-3 6-3 (2) Aspen Schelhaas/Paige Morgan, P, def. Jessica Sigdahl/Anna Hacker 6-3 7-6 (9-7) (3) Addi Oie/Rachel Halverson, L, def. Marah Steenstra/Rachel Skyberg 3-6 6-4 11-9
Litchfield 5, Rocori 2
Litchfield kept it's hot start to the season going with two dual victories on Monday to improve to 4-1.
The Dragons defeated Rocori 5-2 and shutout Long Prairie-Grey Eagle in the double-duals tournament in Litchfield.
Rocori's Amanda Stadther took down Litchfield's Natalie Nelson in No. 1 singles but the Dragons went on to dominate the rest of the match.
Shanna Kinny and Laney Huhner won in straight sets at No. 2 and 3 singles while Taylar Smith had to battle in her No. 4 singles match against Megan Kalthoff. She held on for the win, though, with a 4-6, 6-2, 10-3 performance.
In doubles, Avery Stilwell and Vaida Behnke easily won 6-1, 6-0 against Carly Reitmeier and Haily Torborg.
Singles
(1) Amanda Stadther, R, def. Natalie Nelson 6-1 5-7 10-4 (2) Shanna Kinny, L, def. Amy Bertram 6-2 6-1 (3) Laney Huhner, L, def. Abbi Kaluza 6-2 6-3 (4) Taylar Smith, L, def. Megan Kalthoff 4-6 6-2 10-3
Doubles
(1) Avery Stilwell and Vaida Behnke, L, def. Carly Reitmeier and Haily Torborg 6-1 6-0 (2) Alyssa Ross and Neriah Lara, L, def. Amanda Molitor and Grace Schneider 6-3 6-3 (3) Amanda Schroden and Angela Molitor, R, def. Morgan Randt and Maddy Benson 6-3 5-7 12-10
Litchfield 7, LPGE 0
Litchfield's Natalie Nelson got back into the win column in Monday's second team match of the day. Nelson took it to her opponent 6-4, 1-6, 10-4.
Other than that, the Dragons breezed through the rest of the day, winning every other match in straight sets.
Singles
(1) Nelson, Lit, def. Abby Ecker 6-4 1-6 10-4 (2) Kinny, Lit, def. Ally Ecker 6-2 6-2 (3) Huhner, Lit, def. Moriah Cabulla 6-1 6-0 (4) Smith, Lit, def. Abbi Olson 6-0 6-1
Doubles
(1) Stilwell and Behnke, Lit, def. Alison G and Lupita Mora 6-3 6-3 (2) Ross and Lara, Lit, def. Kalley Levine and Emily Bergschait 6-0 6-0 (3) Benson and Randt, Lit, def. Jaxx Paschan and Cathleen Reifer 6-0 6-0
Prep Volleyball
KMS 3, Benson 0
KMS trounced Benson thanks to a steady performance in the middle from Sam Gjerde on Monday in Kerkhoven.
Gjerde logged a team-high 24 set assists and five aces. She also had two kills while tacking on 10 digs.
Gjerde wasn't the only one with a strong defensive performance. Tori Everson led the team in digs with 13 and Katie Krieger racked up 10 digs as part of an impressive team total of 58.
Benson's Kaitlyn Knutson led her team with two aces and 10 digs. She also had five set assists.
Benson will get back on the court on Thursday at BOLD and KMS will have another home match against Minnewaska on Thursday.
Benson............................ 22 15 22
KMS.............................. 25 25 25
Benson
Serving (aces): Kaitlyn Knutson 2, Anna Gosson 1, Sophie Ascheman 1, Nicole Berens 1 ... Set assists: Courtney McNeill 8, Knutson 5, Danielle Himley 2 ... Hitting (kills): Ascheman 8, Amanda Nissen 3, Presley Gonnerman 3, Gosson 1, Himley 1 ... Blocking (aces): statistics not provided ... Digs (5 or more): Knutson 10, Gosson 8, Ascheman 7, Megan Amundson 9, Berens 6
KMS
Serving (aces): Katie Krieger 1, Lexi Lamecker 1, Molly Jeppesen 2, Sam Gjerde 5, Tori Everson 1, Halie Nichols 1 ... Set assists: Lamecker 5, Gjerde 24 ... Hitting (kills): Alex Walsh 9, Lydia Wagner 2, Jeppesen 7, Gjerde 2, Everson 11 ... Blocking (aces): statistics not provided ... Digs (5 or more): Everson 13, Krieger 10, Lamecker 9, Gjerde 10, Wagner 7, Jeppesen 3, Nichols 6

Card girls dominate Shocky Strand cross country race


Ridgewater's Hailey Leiding (left) and Catelyn Haug battle for a ball at the net in a match against Ellsworth at the Ridgewater Classic Friday. The Warriors opened the tourney 2-0. Clay Cunningham / Tribune
WILLMAR— After suffering an opening-set loss, Ridgewater rallied for three-straight wins to top Ellsworth in four games to finish 2-0 on the first day of the Ridgewater Volleyball Classic Friday.
The Warriors downed Ellsworth 21-25, 25-16, 25-17, 27-25.
Ridgewater opened the tourney with a 25-14, 25-16, 25-13 win over Riverland.
Ridgewater opens day two of the Classic today against face Lake Region at 1 p.m. before facing Central Lakes, which also went 2-0 Friday, at 4:30 p.m.
Central Lakes is currently ranked third in the NJCAA Division III poll. Ridgewater is fifth.
In the Ellsworth match, the Panthers were one point away from winning the fourth set twice but the Warriors answered every rally.
With her team up 24-23, Ellsworth's Alexis Charles hit her serve into the net. The Panthers were again in a position to win after a Catelyn Haug kill attempt went long.
But that would be the final point the Warriors allowed. Following a Baylie Kubesh kill, Haug atoned for her previous mistake, serving an ace off the top of the net to put the Warriors at match point.
Hailey Leiding then ended the set with a kill.
After dropping the opener, Ridgewater looked to be in danger of falling in an 0-2 hole as Ellsworth jumped out to a 13-8 lead in the second set.
But the Warriors closed with a furious rally, eventually scoring the final 11 points of the set. The momentum carried over to set three, where they never trailed and coasted to an eight-point victory.
Kubesh had 31 assists, five kills and was one five Warriors to have at least eight digs. She finished with 12.
Kiana Johnson had 13 kills and Leiding added 11.
Johnson, a freshman, saw an expanded role in the absence of team captain Natalie Feldhake, who missed the second match for personal reasons.
Against Riverland, Kubesh had 25 assists and tied Ashley Froelich with a team-leading six kills. Jamie Goblirsch, who had 20 digs against Ellsworth, led the team with 11 in the opener.
While not thrilled with his team's performance, head coach Joe Sussenguth did complement the way his team handled adversity Friday, saying they would need to consistently do so throughout the season.
"We got a lot of opportunities to challenge kids at different positions," he said. "That's what this team's going to be like. If someone's struggling, we've got players who can come in and step up to the challenge and compete."
Ridgewater 3, Ellsworth 1
Ellsworth............................ 25 16 17 25
Ridgewater (2-0).............................. 21 25 25 27
Ellsworth
Stats not provided
Ridgewater
Serving (aces): Jamie Goblirsch 2, Catelyn Haug 2, Sadie Pingel 2, Baylie Kubesh 1... Set assists: Kubesh 31... Hitting (kills): Kiana Johnson 13, Hailey Leiding 11, Kubesh 5, Ashley Vealetzek 5, Haug 5, Two with 1... Blocking (aces): Leiding 1... Digs (5 or more): Goblirsch 20, Haug 16, Kubesh 12, Lexie Skoglund 11, Sadie Pingel 8
Ridgewater 3, Riverland 0
Riverland............................ 14 16 13
Ridgewater (1-0).............................. 25 25 25
Riverland
Serving (aces): Four with 1... Set assists: Marissa Hart... Hitting (kills): Samantha Siskow 5, Hope Landsman 4... Blocking (aces): None... Digs (5 or more): Allison Sharp 9, Siskow 7
Ridgewater
Serving (aces): Kubesh 5, Haug 2, Natalie Feldhake 2, Skoglund 2, Goblirsch 1, Neumann 1... Set assists: Kubesh 25, Four with 1... Hitting (kills): Leiding 7, Kubesh 6, Haug 6, Froelich 6, Skoglund 4, Three with 2, Two with 1... Blocking (aces): Leiding and Skoglund 1... Digs (5 or more): Golirsch 11, Skoglund 9, Kubesh 5

Ridgewater rallies past Ellsworth, opens 2-0


Danny Anderson defended his title in the Eagle Creek Match Play Championships on Sunday at Eagle Creek Golf Club in Willmar. Anderson defeated Andy Jacobson 2-up. Clay Cunningham / Tribune.
WILLMAR-- A strong short game was the key for Danny Anderson, who earned a two-up victory over Andy Jacobson in the Eagle Creek Match Play Championships at Eagle Creek Golf Club on Sunday.
It was the second-straight Match Play title for Anderson and his third championship overall.
Though he usually wins with power, Anderson said an improved short game was the catalyst for Sunday's performance.
"I putted and chipped very well today," said Anderson, whose highlight was a 50-foot putt on the fifth hole. "I made some shots I wouldn't typically make."
Anderson said this was the seventh time he and Jacobson faced off in the championship round, and he doesn't expect the rivalry to end anytime soon.
"Andy and I will battle as long as we can," he said.
It was father vs. son in the consolation round, with dad Shawn Bohlsen earning a one-up victory over son Ethan.
Vollan wins marathon senior tourney
One day after winning a 25-hole match to advance to the finals, Clark Vollan was again able to survive a lengthy affair to win the Match Play senior championship on Sunday.
Vollan crept past Jim Schammel in 22 holes to win his first senior championship.
Tom Wodash beat Chris Meinert for the consolation title.
Jacobson dominantes back nine in women's final
Down a hole going into the back nine, Lori Jacobson turned it on down the stretch, pulling away from Jean Larson in the Match Play women's final Sunday. Jacobson won 3-and-1.


DASSEL—Kyle Knott and Tyler Steen hit big home runs, Alex Lothammer threw a complete game, a Raymond advanced in the Class C Amateur Baseball State Tournament with a 5-2 win over Lamberton Sunday.
After the Long Sox pulled ahead 2-1 with a two-run fourth inning, the Rockets went ahead for good when Knott blasted a two-run shot in the fifth.
Steen then added key insurance runs with a two-run homer of his own in the eighth.
The scoring was more than enough for Lothammer, who struck out nine with just one walk. Both of the runs he allowed were unearned.
The Rockets advanced to the Round of 16 and play the Sartell Huskies at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in Hutchinson.
Class C State Tournament
Raymond 5, Lamberton 2
Raymond 001 020 020-5 9 1
Lamberton 000 200 00x-2 6 2
Hitting—Raymond: Mike Jeseritz 1-4, Tyler Steen 3-4 hr r rbi-2, Kyle Knott 1-4 hr r rbi-2, Jordan Smith 2-4, Eric Hulterstrum 1-4... Lamberton: Cody Pack 1-4 2b, Tyler Reiner 1-4 2b
Pitching—Raymond: Alex Lothammer (W) 9-6-2-0-1-9... Lamberton: Johnny Pistulka (L) 7-8-5-4-0-6, Mitch Kelly 2-1-0-0-0-2
College Volleyball
WILLMAR — The Ridgewater volleyball team improved to 4-0 with a pair of victories on Saturday to wrap up the Ridgewater Classic.
The Warriors, ranked No. 5 in NJCAA Division III, defeated No. 3-ranked Central Lakes in four games, and they dispatched Lake Region in three.
"Overall, I'm pleased with how we competed in our opening weekend tournament," said Ridgewater head coach Joe Sussenguth. "I felt we made improvements as a team in each match and our competitive level increased."
Against Central Lakes, the Warriors dropped Game One 26-24, then rebounded to ease through Games Two and Three, 25-16 and 25-17. Central Lakes pressed the Warriors on the fourth game but Ridgewater prevailed in extra points, 27-25.
The Warriors took out Lake Region in solid fashion, 25-16, 25-19 and 25-15.
Against Central Lakes, the Warriors got top-shelf production from several players, with Catelyn Haug and Kiana Johnson both finishing with 11 kills. Hailey Leiding had nine kills and two blocks, and Baylie Kubesh had seven kills and 37 set assists. Johnson and Kubesh also both had two blocks.
Johnson and Ashley Froelich both had seven kills against Lake Region.
"We made marked defensive improvements at the net, which complimented our strong back row play," Sussenguth said. "With time, our offense will improve, but it's encouraging to see many players contribute on the attacking front. We missed more serves than we should, but our ability to score and put teams out of system with the serve is very viable."
The Warriors play next at Minnesota State in Fergus Falls at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Ridgewater Classic
Ridgewater 3, Central Lakes 1
Central Lakes............................ 26 16 17 25
Ridgewater (4-0).............................. 24 25 25 27
Central Lakes
Statistics not provided
Ridgewater
Serving (aces): Baylie Kubesh 3, Hailey Leiding 2, Catelyn Haug 3, Sadie Pingel 3, Lexie Skoglund 1 ... Set assists: Kubesh 37, Jamie Golirsch 3 ... Hitting (kills): Kubesh 7, Leiding 9, Haug 11, Ashley Froelich 6, Kiana Johnson 11, Ashley Vealetzek 2, Kallee Anderson 3 ... Blocking (aces): Johnson 2, Leiding 2, Kubesh 2 ... Digs (5 or more): Kubesh 8, Leiding 4, Goblirsch 14, Haug 7, Pingel 5, Skoglund 11
Ridgewater 3, Lake Region 0
Lake Region............................ 16 19 15
Ridgewater.............................. 25 25 25
Lake Region
Statistics not provided
Ridgewater
Serving (aces): Kubesh 2, Goblirsch 3, Haug 2, Pingel 1, Froelich 2, Skoglund 3 ... Set assists: Kubesh 25 ... Hitting (kills): Kubesh 4, Leiding 2, Haug 3, Froelich 7, Natalie Feldhake 2, Johnson 7, Skoglund 1, Vealetzek 1 ... Blocking (aces): Feldhake 2, Leiding 1 ... Digs (5 or more): Kubesh 6, Goblirsch 9, Haug 6
College Football
VIRGINIA — The Ridgewater football team opened its season with a 16-0 victory over Mesabi Range on Saturday.
Ridgewater kicked a field goal in the opening quarter and added 13 more points in the second.
No other information about the game was provided.
Ridgewater 16, Mesabi Range 0
Ridgewater (1-0).................3 13 0 0 — 16
Mesabi Range (0-1).................0 0 0 0 — 0
Scoring plays not provided
Ridgewater
Statistics not provided
Mesabi Range
First downs: NA ... Rushing: 26-13 ... Passing (com-att-yds-int.): 5-18-134-2 ... Fumbles lost: 0 ... Penalties: 0-0
Rushing: LaQuan Thomas 3-10, Tyus Skaife-Harris 3-8 ... Passing: Ricardo Guzman 3-12-76-2 ... Receiving: Malik Grace 3-59 ... Punting: Ahmad Queider 3-89 ... Interceptions: Kyle Williams 4 ... Fumble recoveries: 0 ... Tackles (solo-assist): Kyle Williams 10-2 ... QB sacks: Williams, Thomas Dorsey 1, Trechane Shanklin 1
Prep Volleyball
HOWARD LAKE — The Paynesville volleyball team won four matches to claim the Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted Tournament championship on Saturday.
The Bulldogs defeated HLWW twice, 25-21, 25-23 and 25-7, 28-30 and 15-6. They also downed Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart 25-17, 25-8 and Eden Valley-Watkins 25-12, 25-9.
HLWW Invite
Team scores
Paynesville def. Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted 25-21, 25-23
Paynesville def. Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart 25-17, 25-8
Paynesville def. HLWW 25-7, 28-30, 15-6
Paynesville def. Eden Valley-Watkins 25-12, 25-9
How Area Teams Fared
Paynesville
Serving (aces): Katelyn Dingmann 15 ... Set assists: statistics not available ... Hitting (kills): Skylar Bayer 16, Katelyn Dingmann 20 ... Blocking (aces): Sara Schaefer 7, Jacqueline Hoeft 3, Abby Schaefer 3 ... Digs: Olivia Riley 40, Richelle Buermann 51
Boys Soccer
WILLMAR — Sakawe Shadoor was at midseason form on Saturday, helping the Willmar boys soccer team open the 2016 season with a win.
Shadoor scored all three goals in the Cardinals' 3-0 win over Mound Westonka at the Kennedy School pitch.
Shadoor's first goal set the tone of the match, said Willmar head coach Jeff Winter.
Shadoor took the ball in up the wing from midfield, cut in and set a shot across the goal mouth in the 11th minute.
"It was a nice shot," Winter said. "I liked way we moved the ball and built on that first goal."
Gerson Maldonado-Garcia assisted on Shadoor's first goal.
Shadoor scored a second-half goal in the 51st minute on an assist from Abdi Hakim Abdi, and he notched the hat trick in the 75th minute on an assist from Fernando Zavala.
The Cardinals play host to Heritage Christian at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Kennedy.
Willmar 3, Mound Westonka 0
M-W................. 0 0 — 0
Willmar (1-0)................... 1 2 — 3
FIRST HALF — (1) Willmar - Sakawe Shadoor (Gerson Maldonado-Garcia) 11th minute
SECOND HALF — (2) Willmar - Shadoor (Abdi Hakim Abdi) 51st minute ... (3) Shadoor (Fernando Zavala) 75th minute
SHOTS ON GOAL — Mound Westonka 4 ... Willmar 16
GOALIE SAVES — Mound Westonka: Jonathan Neve 13 ... Willmar: Manny Obregon 4
DEFENSIVE SAVES — None
Friday's result
Girls Swimming
Willmar Invite
WILLMAR — The Willmar Cardinals opened the swimming and diving season with a fourth-place finish at their own invitational on Friday at the Willmar High School pool.
The Cardinals got a second-place finish in the 200 medley relay, and Anna Backes placed fifth in the 200 freestyle.
Moira Revier placed third in the 100 backstroke and the Cardinals also placed third in the 200 free relay.
Hannah Arnold also pulled in a fifth-place finish in the 200 individual medley and Revier was fourth in the 50 freestyle.
Backes earned another fifth-place finish in the 100 freestyle and Olivia Welsh placed fifth in 1-meter diving.
Team scores
(1) Melrose 535 (2) Sauk Centre 318 (3) St. Cloud Tech 312.5 (4) Willmar 284 (5) Bemidji 242 (6) Sauk Rapids 229 (7) Rocori 207 (8) Minnewaska/Morris 134.5 (9) Montevideo 63
(First place and Willmar in top 5)
200 MEDLEY RELAY — (1) Sauk Rapids 1:58.87 (2) Willmar (Moira Revier, Hannah Arnold, Abby McCormick, Amanda Mathiasen) 1:59.37
200 FREESTYLE — (1) Kali Sayovitz, Tech, 1:55.74 (5) Anna Backes, Will, 2:08.57
200 INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY — (1) Anna Lucas, SR, 2:17.52 (5) Arnold, Will, 2:30.30
50 FREESTYLE — (1) Savana Bitz, Mel, 26.01 (4) Revier, Will, 26.83
DIVING — (1) Meredith Matchinsky, Tech, 242.95 (5) Olivia Welsh, Will, 168.30
100 BUTTERFLY — (1) Lacey Entzi, MM, 1:05.22
100 FREESTYLE — (1) Bitz, Mel, 56.75 (5) Backes, Will, 57.56
500 FREESTYLE — (1) Sayovitz, Tech, 5:15.66
200 FREESTYLE RELAY — (1) Melrose 1:45.95 (3) Willmar (McCormack, Mathiasen, Backes, Arnold) 1:47.64
100 BACKSTROKE — (1) Mikayla Von Wahlde, Mel, 1:02.04 (3) Revier, Will, 1:05.51
100 BREASTSTROKE — (1) Ellie Benoit, SR, 1:13.76
400 FREESTYLE RELAY — (1) Melrose 3:50.76

Roundup: Rockets advance in Class C state tournament


Some say lightning doesn't strike the same place twice. But that may not be the case for a Reynolds, North Dakota rancher. Paul Lenz raises SimAngus cattle, and according to livestock specialists what happened on his farm is out of this world.

Rare second set of triplets a surprise for ND rancher


Jesus Nevarez jostles for position in the first half of Willmar's game against Heritage Christian. Nevarez scored two goals in the second half of a 4-1 Cardinal win. Clay Cunningham / Tribune
WILLMAR — Sakawe Shadoor and Jesus Nevarez scored two goals apiece and Willmar overcame a frustrating first half to down Heritage Christian 4-1 in boys soccer Tuesday at the Kennedy School field.
Despite dominating possession in the first 40 minutes, the Cardinals failed to convert numerous scoring opportunities and found themselves in a 1-0 hole.
But Shadoor, who had three shots bounce off the post in the first half, kick-started a major scoring surge, getting Willmar on the board 1:48 into the second half.
It was the first of four goals the Cardinals would score in a 9:45 stretch. Nevarez gave them the lead at the 47:07 mark, and Shadoor added his second goal just 20 seconds later.
Nevarez scored the final goal on a penalty kick at the 49 minute mark.
After the struggles of the first half, Cardinal head coach Jeff Winter complemented the way his team adjusted after the break.
"The first half was very frustrating," he said. "But they definitely worked the second half game plan much better."
Winter said the game plan was to attack the net from all sides after coming almost exclusively from the right side early.
The win improved the Cardinals to 2-0. They've allowed just six shots on goal in their first two matches.
Though pleased with many aspects of his team's early season performance, Winter is still hoping to see more consistency as the year goes on.
"Out of the two games, I'd say we've played (one) full game (the way) we wanted," he said.
Willmar 4, Heritage Christian 1
Heritage Christian (1-2)................. 1 0 — 1
Willmar (2-0)................... 0 4 — 4
FIRST HALF — (1) Heritage Christian - Jordan Huesby 13th minute
SECOND HALF — (1) Willmar - Sakawe Shadoor (Fernando Zavala) 41st minute (2) Willmar - Jesus Nevarez (Zavala) 47th minute (3) Willmar - Shadoor 47th minute (4) Nevarez (Shadoor) 49th minute
SHOTS ON GOAL — Heritage Christian 3, Willmar 15
GOALIE SAVES — Heritage Christian: Jack Vander top 11 ... Willmar: Manny Obregon 2
DEFENSIVE SAVES — None

Willmar offense comes alive in second half, downs Eagles


ALBANY—New London-Spicer opened up their volleyball season with a 2-2 split at the Albany Invite against Sauk Centre, Maple Lake, Braham and Albany.
The Wildcats had a tough battle against Sauk Centre for their first match of the season. They snuck away with the first set with a 27-26 win but dropped the second set in unfortunate fashion, 25-13. The third and final set was well-fought but Sauk Centre topped the Wildcats 17-15.
The second match of the day was against Maple Lake and it didn't go well for the Wildcats once again. Maple Lake walked away the victors 2-0 (25-22, 25-22).
Down 0-2 to start the season, NLS used two strong performances to bounce back and reach .500 on the first day of the season.
The Wildcats battled hard with Braham in the first set, topping the Bombers 26-24. Then they waltzed to a 25-20 second set win to win their first match of the day.
NLS went down early in their final match of the day, dropping the first set 25-18 to the hosts. Once again, though, the Wildcats bounced back with a close victory, this time beating Albany in the second set 25-23 before earning the final set win 18-16.
Brooke Beuning was in charge of setting her teammates up the entire day and she finished with 102 set assists. She also tacked on 15 kills which was tied for the third best from her team.
Brennah Bergh was another key player on Friday, tallying 15 service aces with 24 kills, four blocks and 20 digs. Erin Tebben had the most kills, totalling 36.
NLS will get their regular season underway on Tuesday with a rematch against Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta, the team that ended their season last year.
Albany Invite
Team scores
Sauk Centre 2 (26-25-17), New London-Spicer 1 (27-13-15)
Maple Lake 2 (25-25), NLS 0 (21-21)
NLS 2 (26-25), Braham 0 (24-20)
NLS 2 (18-25-18), Albany 1 (25-23-16)
How NLS Fared
Serving (aces): Brennah Bergh 15, Brooke Beuning 3, Erin Tebben 1, Kabrie Weber 2, Rachel Vraa 1 ... Set assists: Beuning 102, Ashton Engelke 2, Erin Tebben 1 ... Hitting (kills): Bergh 24, Beuning 15, Engelke 2, Tebben 36, Weber 14, Annika Olson 15 ... Blocking (aces): Bergh 4, Beuning 4, Engelke 1, Tebben 3, Weber 10, Olson 2 ... Digs (5 or more): Bergh 20, Beuning 15, Hunter Paffrath 20, Weber 24, Rachel Vraa 20, Olson 22
Tennis
LQPV/DB sweeps at Milbank
MILBANK, S.D.—The Lac qui Parle Valley/Dawson-Boyd tennis team swept its matches at the Milbank Invite on Friday.
LQPV/DB dropped just to sets, defeating the host team 5-2 and recording a 7-0 win over Marshall.
Molly Hacker and Ashtyn Oie won both their singles matches, and the doubles teams of Courtney Hanson and Karissa Jahn, Anna Hacker and Jessica Sigdahl and Addi Oie and Rachel Halvorson swept their matches.
LQPV/DB 5, Milbank 2
Singles
(1) Molly Hacker, L, def. Tiana Stemsrud 6-0 6-4 (2) Ashtyn Oie, L, Jodi DeVaal 3-6 6-4 10-2 (3) Jamie DeVaal, M, def. Katie Breberg 6-1 6-1 (4) Sarah Jarmon, M, def. Bree Kallhoff 6-3 6-1
Doubles
(1) Courtney Hanson/Karissa Jahn, L, def. Hallie Essington/Rhianna Cantine 7-5 6-1 (2) Anna Hacker/Jessica Sigdahl, L, def. Rhianna Welberg/Jenna Johnson 4-6 6-4 12-10 (3) Addi Oie/Rachel Halvorson, L, def. Hattie Muellenbach/Kaitlyn Schmitt 6-0 6-1
LQPV/DB 7, Marshall 0
Singles
(1) Molly Hacker, L, def. Criston Shultz 6-3 6-1 (2) Ashtyn Oie, L, 6-0 6-0 (3) Breberg, L, def. Katie Ewing 6-4 6-0 (4) Kallhoff, L, Rhianna Mastergard 6-0 6-1
Doubles
(1) Hanson/Jahn, L, def. Tori St. Aubin 6-2 6-0 (2) Sigdahl/Anna Hacker, L, def. Kelsey Boerboom/Kaylee Hofloch 6-1 6-1 (3) Addie Oie/Halvorson 6-2 6-1
Benson/KMS 6, BBE 1
The Benson/KMS tennis team ran its win streak to seven with a victory over BBE on Friday in Benson.
Kelli Enderson, Cassie Fugleberg and Sophie Curriel took singles victories for the Braves, who swept the doubles matches.
Morgan Meyer picked up BBE's lone point at 2-singles.
Singles
(1) Kelli Enderson, BKMS, def. Erin Rooney 6-1 2-6 6-3 (2) Morgan Meyer, BBE, def. Anne Dieter 7-5 6-0 (3) Cassie Fugleberg, BKMS, def. Mallory Bents 6-0 6-0 (4) Sophie Curriel, BKMS, def. Ericka Greiner 6-0 6-2
Doubles
(1) Katie Samuelson/Gracie Grussing, BKMS, def. Sonja Carson/Adison Wohlman 6-2 6-1 (2) Olivia Hoffman/Rose McDonald, BKMS, def. Kim Terhaar/Amanda Feldman 6-1 6-1 (3) Grace Ricard/Gracie Lenz, BKMS, Kylie Terhaar/Paige Prentice 6-0 6-1

NLS volleyball team wins two at Albany Invite


WILLMAR -- A Kerkhoven couple was transported to Rice Memorial Hospital and three others were also injured after a three-vehicle crash Monday morning on Highway 71 on the north side of Willmar.
The State Patrol says 91-year-old Harold W. Freetly and 88-year-old Arlene P. Freetly were transported by ambulance to the hospital, with non-life threatening injuries.
Sophia M. Simon, 25, and Alice E. Strom, 4, both of Spicer, and 46-year-old Dean W. Dickinson of Fargo were also left with non-life threatening injuries.
According to the Patrol, the crash happened around 8 a.m. Monday. Harold Freetly was driving a 2011 Ford Taurus west on 37th Avenue at U.S. Highway 71.
While he attempted to cross southbound traffic on Highway 71, his vehicle hit a 2004 Ford Escape driven by Sophia Simon.
The impact spun the Escape around. Dickinson, driving a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado southbound on Highway 71, attempted to swerve around the collision but hit the back side of the Escape.
The State Patrol said alcohol was not a factor in the crash, and all were wearing seatbelts.
All three vehicles were severely damaged from the crash.
The Willmar Police Department, Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office, Willmar Fire Department, Willmar Ambulance and Kandiyohi County Rescue assisted on the scene.

Five injured in Willmar three-vehicle crash


WILLMAR — While some are more willing than others to express their ambitions out loud, Willmar volleyball players and coaches all seem to have the same goal entering 2016.
The Cardinals, who open the regular season at 7 p.m. today at Marshall, return a lot of firepower after graduating just one starter from last season's 16-11 squad.
Junior setter Esther Grussing and senior right hitter Cami Sletta lead the charge on offense. Both were All-Central Lakes Conference last season.
While Sletta will be the top option, Cardinal head coach Traci Grussing says hitting depth will be her team's biggest asset this year.
Seniors Heidi Sellman and Hannah Gallagher, junior Hannah Kobienia and sophomore Carly Wedel are expected to make immediate contributions at the position. Last season's starting outside hitter, Grace Marti, is currently working to recover from a broken finger but will also be in the mix when she's healthy.
"I think we have a more balanced attack than we've had in the past," Grussing said. "Anybody could have a good night."
While offense shouldn't be an issue, coaches and players agree that significant improvements need to be made defensively.
Traci Grussing said service receiving was a glaring weakness for the Cardinals last year and thinks that aspect of the game "will make or break us this season."
But if strides are made defensively, the thought seems to be that this team could do something no Cardinal team ever has: qualifying for the state tournament.
To get there, Willmar will likely have to go through a perennially strong Moorhead team, which dropped just one match in the Section 8 tourney a year ago.
Though cognizant of the challenge they face, players believe capturing the program's first section title is something that is well within their reach.
"We talk about making it to state and if we keep getting better, I think we're close," said Sletta, who added that a state appearance would be a "super cool" way to cap her high school career.
"The level of expectation is really high," Esther Grussing said. "We all want the same thing, so we should all go for the same thing."
If conversations of a state trip are being had at Willmar practices, it's a safe bet Traci Grussing isn't the one leading them. But despite her reluctance to broach the subject, she admits her girls are right to believe they could reach the big stage this fall.
"We're definitely going to be one of the top teams at our section," she said. "I don't like to talk about the S-word, but the potential's there."

Cardinal volleyball has state on its mind


Aug 28, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; San Diego Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) carries the ball as Minnesota Vikings cornerback Terence Newman (not pictured) and linebacker Anthony Barr (55) defend during the second quarter in a preseason game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
MINNEAPOLIS—The Vikings have their own thoughts about U.S. Bank Stadium. So does their first opponent in the new digs, the San Diego Chargers.
Several Chargers were asked after Sunday's 23-10 exhibition loss to the Vikings what they thought of the spanking new stadium, particularly its turf field.
Two of the Chargers were injured during the game, and one of them, running back Branden Oliver, suffered a torn Achilles' tendon. Oliver waved off the Pioneer Press in the locker room, where his lower leg was in a protective boot, but others piped up about the stadium and the field.
-- Running back Melvin Gordon: "It's amazing. It's a wonderful stadium. The field was good. Didn't have too many problems with it. It was slippery. It will take a (few) games for the turf to lay down. Being on it for the first time, we ran into a couple of problems. I think after five or six games it will be perfect. It's just new. It has to be broken in a little bit. When I caught the ball, I kind of got stuck (in the turf) a little bit. It's high. It's got to get matted down."
-- Wide receiver Keenan Allen: "I thought the stadium was nice. The field was new, so it will take breaking in. It was mushy. It will firm up."
-- Nose tackle Brandon Mebane: "I thought it was a nice stadium—reminded me of Indy's a little bit. Nice locker room. Everything was good. Everything was solid."
-- Running back Danny Woodhead: "It's a very cool stadium. They obviously did a lot to it. It looks great. There are different things that remind you of other stadiums. Maybe the windows remind you of Indy. I didn't notice anything (about the turf). I didn't have any problems with it."
-- Running back Dreamius Smith: "The stadium is all right. That field, in my opinion, wasn't the best field I've played on. It was soft, slippery, all of the above. You've got to get used to it, I guess."
-- Punter Drew Kaser: "The stadium is awesome. It really is one of the best facilities in the NFL. I felt the field needs to get broken in a little more. There was a great atmosphere out there, great fans. Minnesota deserves something like that. I was joking around with our long snapper on the sidelines. I said I really wanted the first punt in the stadium and I got it. I felt that was pretty cool. The field was a little slick. It doesn't affect me as much as other people. I take two steps and punt the ball."
-- Outside linebacker Melvin Ingram: "Great stadium. Real nice stadium. The turf was slick. It's brand new. It's supposed to be. The more they play on it, better it will get."
-- Free safety Dwight Lowery: "It's a nice stadium, for sure. It reminds me a little bit of New York's, from a visitor's perspective. How it lays out and looks. A little bit Indianapolis, too. Those are the two I've been to that it reminds me of. The field needs to be broken in. The first thing I noticed when we got here (Saturday to practice on it) was that the field was a little bit unpredictable. There hasn't been much action on it. It's an NFL game, and guys are getting action on it. It'll firm up. The more you play on it, the better it will get."

Chargers like stadium better than new turf


Aug 9, 2016; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Serena Williams (USA) hits a backhand against Elina Svitolina (UKR) during a third round tennis match at Olympic Tennis Centre in the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
NEW YORK—Serena Williams has been here before.
Twelve months after her bid for the coveted calendar-year grand slam ended with a shock defeat to Roberta Vinci of Italy in the U.S. Open semi-finals, the world number one is back, chasing another piece of history.
Victory at this year's U.S. Open would give the American, who begins her quest on Tuesday versus Ekaterina Makarova, a 23rd grand slam singles title and break the professional era record she shares with Germany's Steffi Graf.
A year on, despite a niggling injury to her right shoulder and in danger of losing her world number one ranking, Williams claims things are easier to handle.
"At this point, I'm taking it a day at a time," said Williams. "(But) I think I just am more relaxed, for sure."
Williams will need to be at her best during her first-round match against Makarova, a Russian now ranked 29th but as high as eighth last year and who has beaten the American once in their five meetings.
"I'm OK with it," Williams said. "I try to look at it like we always have tough matches. I played her I think in the semis before. I know she's a good player. I've just got to do the best I can."
In other Day Two action, Agnieszka Radwanska, one of three women who could replace Williams atop the world rankings this fortnight, plays American Jessica Pegula while sixth seed Venus Williams opens against Kateryna Kozlova of Ukraine.
In the men's event, second seed Andy Murray begins his title bid with a first-round match against Czech Lukas Rosol.
Murray is bidding to complete a golden summer having added the Olympic title to his Wimbledon crown.
"He's a tough, tough opponent," Murray said. "Big, strong guy, goes for his shots; takes a lot of risks."
Former U.S. Open champion Juan Martin del Potro, back for the first time in three years after three operations on his left wrist, plays fellow Argentine Diego Schwartzman in round one.

Relaxed Serena set to open quest for more history


BBE's Jaden Gossen returns a serve from Minneota in the third set of Monday's season-opening 3-1 loss to the Vikings at Ridgewater College. Jake Schultz / Tribune
Allison Gruber and Nicole Wesbur of BBE go for a block against Minneota's Lizzy Gillingham. The Jaguars went on to lose 3-1 at Ridgewater College in their season opener. Jake Schultz / Tribune
WILLMAR—The BBE volleyball team opened up its season on Monday with a hard-fought battle against Minneota at Ridgewater College.
The Jaguars narrowly took the first set but couldn't get past the Vikings in the three remaining sets and fell 3-1.
The Jaguars acted as hosts in their season-opener and came out strong with a 25-22 first set win. From there, though, it was a dog fight.
Minneota opened the second set with a 10-6 run and looked strong. BBE was able to bounce back and take a 14-13 lead of their own but that was as good as it would get for the Jaguars. Minneota went on a 12-8 run and took the second set 25-22.
With the game tied, Minneota appeared to take momentum and run with it. The Vikings started the third set 8-5 then went on a 7-1 run to take a 15-6 lead.
BBE head coach Kevin Weller took the opportunity to put Jenna Fischer into the game and she made an impact with a pair of aces and a unique left-handed look that changed tempo. She was able to help her teammates shrink the deficit but couldn't ultimately salvage the set and dropped it 25-17.
The fourth and final set featured plenty of back-and-forth scoring but the Vikings couldn't be stopped late. Minneota took the final set 25-19.
The Jaguars will try to get one in the win column at 3:45 Thursday at MACCRAY.
Minneota 3, BBE 1
Minneota............................ 22 25 25 25
BBE .............................. 25 22 17 19
Minneota
Statistics not provided
BBE
Serving (aces): Kendra Schmitz 2, Morgan Gronli 2, Sarah Feely 3, Tessa Halvorson 2 ... Set assists: Halvorson 20, Schmitz 1 ... Hitting (kills): Ally Gruber 13, Gronli 11, Feely 3, Wesbur 2, Halvorson 1, Jenna Fischer 1 ... Blocking (aces): Gruber 2, Schmitz 3, Gronli 2, Nicole Wesbur 2, Sarah Feely 3, Halvorson 1 ... Digs (5 or more): Halvorson 17, Gruber 12, Gronli 11, Gossen 7, Schmitz 6, Feely 2, Jordyn Steffensen 1

BBE battles Minneota but Vikings prevail


Steve Benson is an editorial cartoonist for the Arizona Republic in Phoenix, Arizona, and is syndicated nationally.


MINNEAPOLIS—As recently as six years ago, Target Center was a local house of horrors in downtown Minneapolis.
But the tide started to turn in 2011, when Cheryl Reeve led a talented roster featuring Seimone Augustus, Maya Moore and Lindsay Whalen to the franchise's first WNBA championship, starting a stretch of three titles in five years. A fourth championship could come later this fall.
Flip Saunders was brought back to lead the Timberwolves front office in 2014, and all he did was acquire Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins, Zach LaVine, Shabazz Muhammad and Gorgui Dieng.
The Wolves enter this season with a promising, young roster, a proven coach in Tom Thibodeau and a legitimate shot to end an NBA playoff drought that dates to 2004.
The only issue is that Target Center is still ugly.
But it shouldn't be for much longer.
A new Target Center scoreboard, the first visual sign of progress amid a $97 million renovation project that is set to be completed in time for the start of the Wolves' 2017-18 season, was unveiled Friday morning and will be on display Sunday night when the Lynx take on Seattle.
Featuring 4,300 square feet of display space—four times the size of its predecessor—the new scoreboard is massive. It is so big there are scoreboards inside the scoreboard, which are easily seen by those sitting in the first few rows. So big that even if you're sitting in one of the top rows at Target Center — the seats that make you fear for you life and gasp for oxygen as you approach your chair — you still have a pretty good view of the action.
When you combine the big board — advertised as the "largest center hung arena scoreboard in the Upper Midwest" — with separate video boards in each of the arena's four corners, Target Center has seven times more digital board space than it did before.
It's big, and it's beautiful.
"You walk in here and it's 'Wow,'" Wolves general manager Scott Layden said. "This is a big-time addition."
It catches your eye the moment you walk into the arena. For a moment you forget that you're in a severely outdated facility, designed in the 1980s, and instead consider the possibilities for the future.
"The feeling folks are going to get when they see something of this size creating this much energy—the light shows, the digital shows, the player introductions, the way in which we can prompt things to happen late in the game when the score is close to pull the crowd back in," Wolves CEO Ethan Casson said, "it's a great tool."
The scoreboard alone makes Target Center feel 10 years younger, and this is only Phase One of the renovation. Also included in this phase are suite-level construction and acoustic improvements.
"It's a great first step," Casson said. "This is just the tip of the iceberg."
Exterior work will be done during the Wolves' season, and a bevy of interior improvements — such as restrooms, locker rooms, dressing rooms, the concourse, a new lobby, additional club spaces, and food and beverage upgrades — will happen in the third and final phase next summer, when the Lynx will play their home games at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.
When that's all completed, Target Center should again be a facility worthy of housing its on-court product.
Combine the upgraded digs with the WNBA's premier franchise and one of the NBA's best young cores, and there's a chance Target Center could be a must-visit destination.
"I know the players are going to love the sort of energy that these things bring," Layden said. "I think that's the bottom line — it enhances the experience."

Finally, the Wolves might give the Target Center two good te...


AMATRICE, Italy—Rescuers believe they have found more bodies buried deep in the rubble of the ruined town of Amatrice, five days after a devastating earthquake struck central Italy, killing at least 290 people.
Residents of the hill town estimated that up to 10 people were still missing and emergency services said they had located three corpses in Amatrice's Hotel Roma, which, like much of the historic center, was wrecked by Wednesday's quake.
Deputy Mayor Gianluca Carloni said his uncle's body had still not been recovered from the hotel, which was particularly busy at this time of year because of a food festival.
"It is absolutely vital to finish as soon as possible this initial (search) phase to make sure that there are no more bodies under the rubble," he said.
Museums across Italy donated proceeds from their ticket sales on Sunday to help the rebuilding effort, while top flight soccer teams held a minute's silence before their weekend matches out of respect for the victims.
Pope Francis led prayers for the dead in his weekly address in St Peter's Square in Rome, saying he wanted to go to the earthquake zone to bring comfort to the survivors.
"Dear brothers and sisters, as soon as it is possible, I hope to come and visit you," he said.
Priests in the quake zone held their regular Sunday services in large tents. Amatrice's municipal website said the town had 100 churches, but every one was damaged by the disaster and many would have to be demolished.
FALLEN MASONRY
With aftershocks continuing to rattle the region, including a magnitude 4.4 quake centered on the nearby city of Ascoli Piceno, residents were still struggling to absorb the disaster.
"It took me 20 years to get my house, and then, in just 10 seconds, it was gone, like so many others," said Ascenzio Attenni, who lived in the hamlet of Sant'Angelo outside Amatrice, where eight people died.
"We have to thank God that we are alive," he said, before breaking down in tears.
Rescue operations in most of the area were halted two days ago, but teams were still combing Amatrice, which is 105 km (65 miles) east of Rome. The fire service said it was trying to remove some of the fallen masonry at the Hotel Roma and create a safe path to retrieve the three bodies as soon as possible.
The Civil Protection Department lowered the official death toll on Sunday to 290 from a previously given 291. A number of foreigners were among the dead, including 11 Romanians, the foreign ministry in Bucharest said.
Many Romanians work in Italy and Bucharest said 14 of its nationals were still unaccounted for.
Italy has promised to rebuild the shattered communities and has said it will learn from the mistakes following a similar earthquake in the nearby city of L'Aquila in 2009, where much of the center is still out of bounds.
The rebuilding effort was stalled following allegations that organised crime groups had muscled in to obtain lucrative contracts. Italy's anti-mafia chief Franco Roberti said the experience of L'Aquila would serve well this time around, but warned that the government could not lower its guard.
"The risks are there and it is pointless to pretend otherwise," he told la Repubblica newspaper. "Post-quake reconstruction is always very appetizing for criminal gangs and their business partners."

More bodies located beneath rubble in Italy quake zone