ROCHESTER – A few years ago the Hayfield volleyball team was made up of a lot of young, wide-eyed group of players that happened to be very talented. On Saturday, the Vikings took on a team that was much like they used to be.
The now experienced and top-seeded Hayfield volleyball team had a little trouble in the last two games, but it was able to knock off the young and athletic Superlarks, who were seeded No. 4, by scores of 25-10, 25-16, 21-25, 25-21 in a Section 1A West semifinal in Mayo Civic Center.

Hayfield senior Carrie Rutledge, who had 16 kills and 29 digs, said that GM definitely resembled the Hayfield team of a couple of years ago.
“[They remind us of ourselves] a lot actually,” Rutledge said. “They’re a very, good young team and that’s we started out like that too.”
Hayfield took a 15-13 lead in the fourth game on a Lexi Dudycha kill and the Vikings were able to hold off GM from that point. Maggie Streightiff, who had 13 kills, 29 set assists and 19 digs, said Hayfield had to take away GM’s hitting lanes to take over.
“They’re a really athletic team and from the start we knew it would be a tough match,” Streightiff said. “I think our defense really helped us.”

The Vikings (24-5 overall) led 13-9 in the third game, but the Superlarks (21-11 overall) wouldn’t go away as Meaghan Eastlee went on a five-point serving run that included two aces to put GM up 14-13 and Riley Queensland went on a hitting spree to help put the game away. GM played Hayfield close in the last two games, but it struggled in the first two games. Hayfield outscored GM 17-5 down the stretch of the first game and it closed the second game on a 14-5 spurt.

GM junior Jordyn Glynn, who had 10 kills and 22 digs, said GM was a little intimidated early on in the match.
“I think we just didn’t have enough confidence starting out. We were hesitant on defense and on the blocks,” Glynn said. “Once we get into a groove, we started playing like how we know how to play. It’s great and it shows the potential in our team. We’ll lose two players, but I think we’ll come back battling hard next season.”

Hayfield is now one win away from getting back to the Section 1A title match for the second consecutive year. The Vikings will play No. 2 Faribault Bethlethem Academy in the Section 1A West title match Thursday at 7 p.m. in Mayo Civic Center.
Hayfield head coach Jeremy Struck said the Vikings were given a big test to prepare for FBA from GM.
“[GM is] definitely an athletic group and they weren’t going to quit. They’re young and they had nothing to lose. They’ll be back here again next year,” Struck said. “It’s just one game at a time and one point at a time. We’ll be there at the end if we do things in our side of the ball.”

GM head coach Tori Burmester is hoping her team can make a habit of playing in Mayo Civic Center.
“It’s the second time here for most of these girls and hopefully this feels like home to them and every year we’ll work on getting better,” Burmester said.

Hayfield stats: Carrie Rutledge, 16 kills, 29 digs, 1 block; Maggie Streightiff, 13 kills, 29 set assists, 19 digs, 1 ace serve; Lexi Dudycha, 6 kills, 16 set assists, 1 ace serve; Olivia Matti, 4 kills, 19 digs, 1 block, 1 ace serve; Cela Carney, 22 digs
GM stats: Meghan Eastlee, 2 ace serves; Allie Lubhan, 2 aces, 28 set assists; Jordyn Glynn, 10 kills, 22 digs; Katilyn Hilton, 10 kills; Riley Queensland, 6 kills; Isabelle Olson, 18 digs; Sklyar Cotten, 13 digs