Volleyball

     The Aitkin Gobbler volleyball season has come to an end. Here's a look at the regular season stats.

Kills

Hannah Jones       123

Maddy Burgstaler 106

Baylie O'Neil             74

Haley Shereck         59

Brita Westman        52

Aces

Baylie O'Neil             42

Abby Palm               24

Hannah Jones         19

Haley Shereck          16

Allie Goeritz               15

Set Assists

Abby Palm               185

Allie Goeritz              163

Gabi Price                  29

Abby Presto               22

Blocks Solo

Maddy Burgstaler     10 (35 assisted blocks)

Hannah Jones             5 (18 assisted blocks)

Brita Westman            2  (21 assisted blocks)

Haley Shereck             0  (18 assisted blocks)

Hailey Henry                 1   (16 assisted blocks)

Digs

Abby Palm                198

Baylie O'Neil              188

Hayley Shereck        149

Hannah Jones         138

Kira  Hamilton          128

     The Aitkin Gobbler volleyball team went up against the Two Harbors Agates in the opening round of the Section 7AA playoffs Wednesday night. The Agates came in with a record of 21-4 but the Gobblers gave them all they wanted in the three set loss. The first set gave no indication that it was going to be a tight match as the Agates pulled away from a 9-7 lead to score 16 of the last 18 points and win the set 25-9. Then things got interesting as the two teams sparred in a long second set. It was 8-8 early but the Agates put on the pressure to lead 15-9. They led 23-15 and looked poised to finish the set but the Gobblers had other ideas. They still trailed 23-19 but got it back to 24-23 when the Agates got the point to end the set. The third set started with a quick Gobbler lead at 6-1. This time the Agates responded with a run and then took the lead at 8-7. The two teams traded points most of the rest of the set with the Agates closing it out at 25-21. The loss ends the Gobbler season and ends the careers of eight seniors who have worked really hard this season. Abby Palm, Brita Westman, Hannah Jones, Tahlia Hasskamp, Kira Hamilton, Baylie O’Neil, Hailey Henry and Maddie Schwerin completed their high school volleyball experience in this one. Co-Coach Wade Zubke after the loss, “We had a weak first set but this team doesn’t quit. We came back strong in set two but couldn’t quite get the win. The team came together and really implemented the tools we have been working on all year. Most importantly they were proud of how they came together and played like a team to end the season.”
      In the stat department Maddy Burgstaler had 7 kills while Hannah Jones had 6 and Brita Westman added 4. Abby Palm and Baylie O’Neil each had 2 aces, Palm had 12 assists and Allie Goeritz had 9, Burgstaler and Haley Henry each had 2 blocks and Jones, Haley Shereck and Kira Hamilton each had 6 digs while Palm had 5.
Gobblers  9 23 21
Agates    25 25 25