Volleyball

       The Aitkin Gobblers played their hearts out Monday in the opening round of the Section 7AA volleyball tournament at Two Harbors. Aitkin had a 2-1 lead, but the Agates battled back in a tough fourth set to even things up and then dominated set five to advance to the next round. The Gobblers end the season 12-15 and lose three fine seniors, Gabi Price, Kacie Kaiser and Kinleigh Ukutegbe. 

Set One

The Agates raced out to a quick 8-1 lead, but the Gobblers fought back and made a run to close it to 16-12, and later in the set it was 23-20 Agates after a winner by Taya Hawkins. They closed out the set 25-21.

Set Two

Aitkin trailed 11-9 in this set, but a 9-4 run put them ahead 18-15 and the tide turned at that point. Grace Hoppe's kill made it 20-15 and a service winner by Hawkins ended the set at 25-18. 

Set Three

Aitkin led all the way to take a 2-1 lead after this set. An ace by Gabi Price made it 6-1 early but the set stayed close throughout. It was 20-19 and shortly after Samantha Edwards kill made it 23-20. The Gobblers went on to win the set 25-22.

Set Four

This set was tied seven times in the first 14 points. The Agates took a 15-9 lead before Aitkin went on a 5-0 run to make it a one-point set. It was tied at 17-17 but the Agates led 20-18 when Edwards produced another kill and it was 20-19. Two Harbors led the rest of the way and won the set 25-20.

Set Five

This one was all Agates as they jumped out to an 11-3 lead before a kill by Grace Hoppe made it 11-4. The Agates went 4-1 the rest of the way to end the match.

      Samantha Edwards led the Gobblers with 9 kills while Annika Kalis added 8 and Molly Franke and Grace Hoppe each added 6. Kate Palm had 16 assists while Annika Kalis had 8 blocks, Palm had 5 blocks, and Hoppe had 4 blocks. Edwards had 16 digs while Hawkins and Charlotte Lundgren each had 15 digs. 

      Coach Wade Zubke was proud of his team's effort, "We played a great match tonight but weren't able to bring home a win. That said we fought hard in a five-setter that was exactly what playoff volleyball should be. So many long rallies, many of which we won. I couldn't be prouder of this team and our program. We will miss our three seniors but they will always be part of the team just like every other player that has hit the court for Aitkin volleyball."

Gobblers  21 25 25 20 4

Agates     25 18 22 25 15

       The Aitkin JV Gobblers won the Great River Conference Championship Saturday at Mora and did it without losing a set. They went 4-0 in pool play and went on to win the title. Here's a look at the scores.

Aitkin    25 25

Ogilvie  10  18

Aitkin    25 25

M. Lacs 13  10

Aitkin       25 25

E. Central  6 12

Aitkin     25 25

Mora      18  12

Aitkin         25 25

Rush City  19   18

      The Gobblers finished the season with a perfect 21-0 record. Coach Kristen Ratz after the title win, "There were so many stand-out plays today! It was a total team effort. Great attitudes from beginning to end. They wanted to end their season undefeated, and it was exciting to watch that happen for them. I am very proud of this group."

      The #6 seeded Aitkin Gobblers will open the post-season at #3 Two Harbors Monday night in a 6:00 matchup with the Agates. Aitkin is in the side of the bracket with #2 Mesabi East, and #7 Internationals Falls and would play the winner of that game on Wednesday should they upset the Agates. The Gobblers didn't play Two Harbors this season and the Agates come into the tournament with a record of 19-6. The Gobblers come in with a record of 12-14. Esko is the overall #1 seed from the south while Proctor is the top seed in the north.

      The Aitkin Gobblers ended their regular match season Tuesday with a 3-1 victory on the road at Ogilvie. Annika Kalis had 11 kills and Molly Franke added 9 to lead the Gobblers who finish the season with 12 wins. Grace Hoppe and Samantha Edwards added 6 and 5 kills respectively to add to the offense. Charlotte Lundgren had 46 digs, Edwards had 34 digs while Taya Hawkins had 25, Kate Palm had 19 assists while Gabi Price had 14 and Lundgren and Edwards each had 4 aces on the night. Coach Wade Zubke, "The team had a little rust to shake off after MEA weekend. We started slow but squeaked out the first set. Ogilvie got the second set but moving into sets three and four our team got into gear and found service pressure and better offense. Standout match for Molly Franke who had one of her best matches of the season. Sam Edwards had a great serving game and Annika Kalis led in kills. Looking forward to the post-season."

Gobblers  27 22 25 25

Lions          25 25 22 14

       The Gobbler JV ended their season with another win sweeping the Lions in two straight. Macey Ryan and Grace Hoppe each had 7 kills and Leah Palm and Adalyn Samuelson each had 3 kills. Kate Boyd and Aubrey Edwards each had 2 aces, Edwards had 18 digs and Kate Boyd had 11 assists and Paityn Hawkins added 7.

Gobblers    25 25

Lions            11   12

       It was another win for the C Squad as well. Coach Shelby Coombs after the win, "Britton Lehrer and Maharlika Burgos each joined the "7" point club. Tenley Crowther got to serve for the first time all season and got an ace. Nora Schletty was on fire tonight with 6 kills. It was a great way to end the season., I'm very proud of these girls."

Gobblers     25 26 25 25 11

Lions             22 24 22 16 15

      The regular season ends this week for the Aitkin Gobblers, and they will be ready for the Section Tournament. Here's a look at their stats to this point.

Kills-111-Annika Kalis                          Digs-245-Charlotte Lundgren

          89-Samantha Edwards                    191-Taya Hawkins

          84-Eva Kalis                                        182-Samantha Edwards

          81-Taya Hawkins                                101-Kate Palm

          78-Molly Franke        

Aces-43-Taya Hawkins                     Blocks-43-Annika Kalis

           41-Gabi Price                                           31-Eva Kalis

           38-Kate Palm                                          21-Kacie Kaiser

           21-Samantha Edwards                         20-Molly Franke

Assists-249-Kate Palm

               227-Gabi Price                         

       The Aitkin Gobblers were in Upsala for a tournament Thursday and finished 1-3 on the day.

Gobblers            25 15 15

Bertha-Hewitt   19 25 10   

Gobblers      21 19

Osakis          25 25

Gobblers       13 19

Holdingford  25 25

Gobblers      25 19

Mille Lacs     27 25

        Stats from the day looked like this.

Kills-Annika Kalis-18, Taya Hawkins-13, Samantha Edwards-13

Aces-Gabi Price-6

Assists-Gabi Price-36, Kate Palm-29

Digs-Taya Hawkins-38, Samantha Edwards-22

Blocks-Annika Kalis-6, Eva Kalis-5, Kacie Kaiser-4, Molly Franke-4

              The Gobblers close out the regular season Tuesday at Ogilvie.

      The Aitkin Gobblers and the Staples/Motley Cardinals played a wild match Monday night with the Gobblers coming out on top of the five-set match. The win was the 11th of the season for Aitkin. The stats were impressive for the Gobblers. Molly Franke led with 8 kills while Taya Hawkins had 7, Samantha Edwards, Annika Kalis and Eva Kalis each had 6 and Kate Palm had 5. Charlotte Lundgren had 35 digs, Edwards had 28 and Hawkins had 24. Eva Kalis and Annika Kalis each had 4 blocks. Palm added 4 aces. Gabi Price had 20 assists and Palm added 11. Aitkin is 11-12 with just Ogilvie left on the schedule on October 20. Coach Wade Zubke after the win, "This was a huge win for us. Back and forth for the victory. Great service pressure with standout performances from Taya Hawkins, Kate Palm and Samantha Edwards. Our defense kept the ball up with an amazing showing by Sam in the dig department and great blocking from middies Eva Kalis and Annika Kalis. The team really woke up offensively going into sets 4 and 5 with a spark lit by Kate who had several good rips. Great energy to take into our MEA tournament in Upsala on Thursday."
Aitkin    25 20 18 25 15
Staples 23 25 25 12 10

       The Gobbler JV, unbeaten on the season had a scare Monday at Staples but came back to win both sets to move to 15-0. Coach Kristen Ratz after the win, "The team showed grit, we were down 24-19 in the first set but roared back to win 26-24." Adalyn Samuelson, Kenzie Klee and Grace Hoppe all had 4 kills to lead the Gobblers while Paityn Hawkins had 3 and Leah Palm added 2. Kate Boyd and Hawkins each had 6 assists and Aubrey Edwards had 20 digs with Natalie Shereck adding 8 for the Gobblers.
Aitkin    26 25
Staples 24 18


     

      The Aitkin JV Gobblers remained unbeaten on the season after sweeping three teams at the Onamia Tournament Saturday. Coach Kristen Ratz following the action, "This team just keeps on getting better. Each player has that internal drive to succeed and it shows on the court. Great serving and set-ups all day! Kate, Macey and Grace all made the 7-pt club as well."

Aitkin            25 25

Holdingford 12   6

Aitkin    25 25

Milaca  18 23

Title Match-Aitkin        25 25

                      Mille Lacs  14 13