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Hermantown’s volleyball team went 2-2 at Saturday’s Duluth East Invitational, beating White Bear Lake and Irondale before pushing Forest Lake to three sets in the silver division championship. The Hawks enter this week at 8-7, with home matches against Superior and Duluth Denfeld offering a chance to build on the stronger stretches of their tournament play.
Hermantown swept White Bear Lake 2-0 and defeated Irondale 2-1. The Hawks also lost 2-0 to Calumet before falling 2-1 to Forest Lake. Hawks coach Jessica Williams saw a team competing well even when it did not finish the day with a title.
“We played really competitively and lost in three to Forest Lake in the silver division championship game,” Williams said.
The tournament followed consecutive road victories over Greenway and Hibbing. Hermantown beat Greenway in four sets Sept. 15 and swept Hibbing two days later. The Hawks have also defeated Duluth Marshall and Proctor this season, while losses to Esko, Princeton and Duluth East have tested them against demanding opponents.
Williams pointed to Audra Schott and Kylee Stokke as the players setting the pace for Hermantown. Stokke has directed the offense from setter, while Schott has provided an attacking presence. Libero Elso Broman’s steady passing has given the Hawks another dependable part of their lineup.
“Audra and Kylee are really stepping up for us and leading the team,” Williams said. “Elso is also staying extremely consistent on her passing and is making a huge difference.”
Hermantown hosts Superior at 7 p.m. Tuesday and Duluth Denfeld at 7 p.m. Thursday. The two matches give the Hawks a quick return to conference play after a tournament in which they won twice and came within a set of the silver division title.
“We are looking forward to hosting Denfeld and Superior this week,” Williams said.
