Sports
Mendota Heights Patch Game of The Week: Blazers Faces Wadena-Deer Creek in State Tournament
Visitation faces defending state champion Wadena-Deer Creek in the first round of the MSHSL State Volleyball Tournament,
MENDOTA HEIGHTS PATCH GAME OF THE WEEK
Volleyball
Visitation (24-6, 12-0 Tri Metro Conference) vs. Wadena-Deer Creek (27-4, 5-0 Mid-State Conference)
CHEAT SHEET
SITE: Xcel Energy Center – MSHSL Class AA State Tournament
TIME: 5:00 p.m. Thursday
LAST MEETING: This is the first meeting between the two schools.
ON THE LINE
volleyball, making its second consecutive state tournament appearance and third in school history, faces fourth seed and defending 2010 state champion Wadena-Deer Creek. The Wolverines are making their fourth consecutive and sixth overall appearance. They were ranked No. 9 in this year’s final coaches association poll. Wadena-Deer Creek started the season 15-0, but suffered three losses in the St. Michael-Albertville Tournament, finishing 23rd. They lost to Class AAA representative Bemidji twice this season. The Wolverines, who finished 33-0 last season, won their final eight matches.
The Blazers, who finished sixth in the 2010 tournament, lost four matches to team in the loaded South Suburban Conference and two matches to top ten ranked Class AA teams, Marshall and LeSeuer-Henderson. The winner faces the victor of No. 1 seed Marshall (27-4) vs. Esko (26-4): Marshall is making its 11th consecutive and 23rd overall appearance in the state tournament and won the 2004, 2007, and 2009 titles. Marshall defeated Visitation 3-0 in regular-season play this year.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Samantha Dumler – Visitation outside hitter
The senior captain, who earned All-Tri-Metro Conference honors last year, is a three-year starter for the Blazers. She is an excellent server and can play spot on the court.
Brittney Noon – Wadena-Deer Creek outside hitter
The senior had a team-best 19 kills and 7 blocks in the Section 8AA championship win over Thief River Falls. She was an honorable metro All-State selection last year and has been an All-Mid State Conference choice the last three seasons.
BLAZERS WIN IF...
They can continue their strong late season play. The Blazers won their last six matches 3-0.
WOLVERINES WIN IF...
They can continue to serve well and put pressure on Visitation’s back row.
