Hermantown started its volleyball season with a straight-sets victory Thursday night, rolling past Duluth Marshall 25-17, 25-15, 25-23 in the Lake Superior Conference opener for both teams in Duluth.
Setter Anna Bergerson handed out 16 assists to pace the Hawks’ attack. Outside hitter Lilah Conley finished with nine kills, 17 digs and five ace serves, while Sophie Schulz added eight kills.
Defensively, libero Reese Lukovsky collected a match-high 22 digs as Hermantown held off a late push by the Hilltoppers in the third set to complete the sweep.
“We struggled with our consistency, but our passing is our strong suit this year,” Hawks coach Jessica Williams said after the match. "Some of our hitters must step up in games to put the ball away. But luckily, we are just beginning our season so we have time. We still have lots to work on but we are a skilled team, just very young with only one senior, Ashlee Pruse. Our youth showed, but we were able to pull it together and get the win. With the first game done, the nerves and jitters gone, we can only go up from here.”
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Hermantown and North Branch played to a scoreless draw in girls soccer on Thursday in North Branch.
Hermantown goalkeeper Cambriia Thomas made two saves and Lucy Critchley stopped three. North Branch keeper Sharis Garcia Velazquez finished with 14 saves.
"It was a great effort by our girls tonight," Hawks coach Nathan Hanson said. "The possession and combinations put us on the front foot from the kickoff. I was happy with the energy and way the girls controlled the game. We lacked quality once we got in the attacking third and failed to put the ball in the back of the net. While we’re happy with how everyone played, the girls aren’t satisfied with the result and are motivated to step up the intensity in training to have a more complete game next Tuesday when we take on Duluth Marshall."
