SHAKOPEE – “Start strong, finish strong,” was the final thing that Shakopee head volleyball coach said to me before getting ready to take on Red Wing Tuesday night and that’s exactly what Shakopee did in their 25-13, 25-20, 25-8 victory. In a night that honored the eight seniors for Shakopee they all got a chance to play and help in the victory.

The senior theme would start right away as Shakopee senior Alex Berger would start the night off by serving the Sabers to a 5-0 lead right out of the gate. Red Wing would rebound to make the score 8-6, Shakopee before another senior had a big service set for Shakopee when Kari Monnens served a 6-0 run to make the score 14-6 Shakopee. The Sabres would take the first set 25-13 thanks to kills from seniors Claire Sames (school’s all-time leader in blocks), Kari Monnens and junior Carlee Hoppe.

The second set would be a little tougher for the Sabers after they would jump out to 16-8 lead in the second set. Red Wing would come back with help to bad passing from Shakopee and kills from senior Maggie Jonas to go on a 9-3 run to make the score 19-17, Shakopee. The Wingers would keep the set close to 22-20 before a 3-0 run on the serve of Alex Berger including an ace to win the second set 25-20.

The third set saw big runs by Shakopee that would allow them to cruise to a victory. The set did start off with the score tied 3-3 before a 7-0 run on the serve of senior Claire Sames to make the score 10-3, Shakopee. The next service set from junior Maggie Holcombe would one up Sames with a 8-0 run to make the score 18-4, Shakopee. The Sabers would cruise to a 25-8 victory thanks to kills from senior Rachel Rhinesmith and freshman Kenzie Pieper.

Shakopee improves to 5-1 in the Missota Conference and 18-2 overall and will host Lakeville North Thursday night in a game that can be heard on Oldies 95.5 FM KRDS.

By: Adam Bartels