Cyclones Split Opening Week

The 2021 Cyclone volleyball team had a strong start to the season this week dropping a 5 set match to the Blue Knights, followed by and earning a 3-0 win over the Cardinals.

First, the Cyclones faced Dakota County Technical College (D2) and lost a 5-set battle (25-17, 25-22, 20-25, 21-25, 13-15). It was a great challenge to start the seaon. First year libero, Allison Fritz from Norwood-Young America, led the team in digs, 37, breaking the individual digs per match record previously set by Chelsea Schroeder in 2016. Karissa Lintgen, first year outside hitter from St Cloud Tech high school, led the offense with 11 kills, followed by Kailee Barnett, first year outside hitter from Onamia.  First year setters, Maddie Beumer from Annandale and Makayla Balder from Onamia, ran the offense with a combined 37 set assists. Brynn Johnson, first year middle from Paynesville, led with 4 blocks.

On Friday, the Cyclones topped Hibbing Community College with a assertive 3-0 victory (25-16, 25-14, 25-15). Stat leaders include Karissa Lintgen in kills with 9, followed by Brynn Johnson with 6. Maddie Beumer and Makayla Balder earned a combined 20 set assists. Allison Fritz cleared 20 digs and first year middle from White Bear Lake, Anck-Su-Namun Mortel, earned 2 blocks. Beumer and Lintgen each scored 4 service aces. 

Head coach Heidi Smith, entering her 11th year at SCTCC states, "This team already has great chemistry and a strong bond. They have really owned my coaching philosophy of being great teammates and hold themselves, and each other, accountable to it. I am excited to see where this team will go!"

The Cyclones start conference play this week and host Century College, a new addition to the conference, on Wednesday, September 1^st, 6:30pm at the St Cloud Whitney Center.  On Friday the Cyclones travel to Western Tech in La Crosse, WI.