歪歪漫画

SARTELL 鈥� The No. 7 seed in Section 8-4A is going to the section championship.

The Bemidji High 歪歪漫画 volleyball team, which entered the section playoffs as the third-lowest seed in the field, swept No. 3 Sartell 3-0 on Tuesday in Sartell. With their three-set semifinal victory, the Lumberjacks advanced to the section championship on Thursday at Brainerd High 歪歪漫画, where they will face top-seeded Rogers at 7 p.m. for a trip to the state tournament.

It is Bemidji鈥檚 first appearance in the section championship since 2015 and its first ever as a member of Section 8-4A. The Lumberjacks have now beaten two of the top three seeds in the section bracket after also topping No. 2 St. Michael-Albertville in the quarterfinals on Saturday.

鈥淚t was a great match,鈥� said junior setter Margie Anderson. 鈥淲e came into it with the same mindset we did at STMA, that underdog mindset. We came in, and we were ready to play. And we played lights out. 鈥� We all wanted it so bad, and we all just went for everything. Played scrappy, had huge blocks on them and found ways to put the ball away.鈥�

The Jacks (15-14) faced their toughest test in the first set, an extra-points classic. With Sartell holding a set point up 24-23, BHS won three consecutive points to take the opening frame 26-24.

Things came easier in the second set. Bemidji found its footing and cruised 25-17 after trailing 11-8. In the final frame, Mollie Rupp鈥檚 27th kill of the night gave the Lumberjacks the 25-22 match-clinching exclamation point.

Bemidji鈥檚 triumph marked Sartell鈥檚 first home defeat this season. The Sabres (23-6) were previously 8-0 in their home gym.

鈥淭hey came ready to battle,鈥� BHS head coach Alicia Kriens said of her squad. 鈥淭heir heart and their drive and their focus has been on point this week. Taking that match against STMA really proved that they have the capability to do some really great things. 鈥� Going into their house and pulling it off in three was a huge, huge accomplishment and a great testament to their heart, their drive and their want, their will to win.鈥�

Rupp was once again sublime for the Jacks to lead them in attack. But she received supplementary support from Livia Ritchie, who pounded seven kills 鈥� six of which came in the closeout third frame. Anderson and Aurora Frank contributed two finishes apiece.

鈥淚 was confident in all my hitters today,鈥� Anderson said. 鈥淭hey were all making it work: putting the ball away, hitting around the block, finding the holes. They all really stepped up and played their game.鈥�

Anderson, one match after breaking the Lumberjacks鈥� all-time career set assists record in their upset of the Knights, led BHS with 33 assists. Three Jacks hit double-digits in digs 鈥� Sammy Nistler netted 16, Rupp posted 13 and Livia Ritchie lassoed 11.

Bemidji will have a daunting task ahead in facing Rogers, which swept No. 4 Moorhead in the other Section 8-4A semifinal. The Royals (27-3) rank seventh in Class 4A and eighth among all classes in Minnesota.

But if the Jacks play the way they have across the past two matches, they aren鈥檛 counting themselves out.

鈥淚t is a testament to their dedication to the game and their heart and their will to play for each other,鈥� Kriens said of her group鈥檚 effort. 鈥淭hey literally played the last few matches as such a team. It didn鈥檛 matter 鈥� everyone played a part. People on the bench, people on the court. Everyone had a role, and everyone was giving 100% the entire time.

鈥淭hat's what it comes down to. Who wants it more? Who's willing to give up more and sacrifice for each other? The girls have proved that they're willing to do that. It's really awesome being a part of such a big section, and honestly, being kind of a small team up against these big teams that are from the Cities. We're marking our territory, and it's pretty cool to be put on that map.鈥�

Bemidji 3, Sartell 0

BHS 26 25 25 鈥� 3

SAR 24 17 22 鈥� 0