Pierz volleyball team unbeaten in CMC - Pioneers place 4th in Sauk Rapids Invitational (from the Morrison County Record newspaper)

by Rick Converse
Sports Writer

The Pierz Pioneers traveled to Eden Valley-Watkins Sept. 17, and defeated the Eagles 25-19, 25-17, 25-18. With that win, the Pioneers' Central Minnesota Conference record climbed to 2-0.

Pierz coach Wally Brown said, "A total team effort, as the Pioneers dominated net play with 44 kills and 11 solo blocks. Pierz was led by senior Sammi Lucking with 10 kills and three solo blocks and sophomore Kelsey Meyer with 43 set assists. The players were just as effective on defense with 66digs, led by senior Miranda Pryzbilla with 20."

Sauk Rapids-Rice hosted 16 teams for its 27th annual invitational tournament Sept. 19. The Pioneers came out strong, downing the Elk River Elks 26-24, 25-22 in the first round and were not fooled by the Monticello Magic, winning 25-20, 27-25 in the second round.

The Pioneers lost to the Annandale Cardinals in the semi-final round 25-9, 25-2,17-15 and lost to the Sauk Centre Mainstreeters 23-25, 25-20, 15-9 in the third place match to finish fourth. Annandale went on to win the tournament by defeating Wadena-Deer Creek.

Pryzbilla led the defense with 60 digs and junior Hannah Groves had 44. Meyer had anotherstellar performance with 113 set assists and 27 digs. The offense was led by Lucking with 43 kills and nine solo blocks. Solid performances were put in by seniors Emily Weber and Kayla Stich, juniors AmberPreimesberger, Sam
Herold, Erika Broshofsky and Katelyn Fuhrman and sophomore Lindsay Monson.

The Pioneers traveled back to Sauk Rapids-Rice Tuesday, and calmed the Storm by
winning 20-25, 25-23,25-21, 25-21. Lucking led the Pioneers with 29 kills, Preimesberger had 25 and Monson had 20. Meyer had 31 set assists and Groves had 14 digs,both team highs.

Note: Pierz comes to town tonight for the biggest conference showdown of the season to face the Jaguars, with top honors in the Central Minnesota Conference at stake.

Pierz last defeated B-B-E in volleyball in 2002, when both teams finished 6-1 in the loop for a shared CMC title.

More on Pierz will follow later today.