Kenyon-Wanamingo Volleyball Dominates St. Peter

The Kenyon-Wanamingo Knights swept their eighth straight opponent while capturing their 18th straight win Thursday night in the South Subsection championship of Section 2 Class 2A. Scores were 25-15, 25-9 and 25-12.

St. Peter came into the match with a 21-7 record, so it's not like they squashed an inferior opponent.

For a few years the Minnesota Twins had the M and M boys of Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau. The No. 1 rated Class 2A Kenyon-Wanamingo Knights have the M and M and M girls, and when Megan Flom, Mara Quam and Mia Peterson are on, they are tough to beat. Throw in Kasey Dummer with pinpoint passes off diving digs and Corynne Dahl putting up a strong block at the net and providing timely kills and you have a formula for sucess.

Maddie McCauley is becoming the fourth M for the Knights. She has been effective the past two matches at joining the attack and serving strong.

Every player performed well against St. Peter, but our Knights of the night courtesy of the Sviggum Insurance Agency in Wanamingo were Mara Quam with 19 kills unofficially and four service aces, Megan Flom with 10 kills and an ace serve, Corynne Dahl with four kills and a number of blocks and block assists, and Mia Peterson, who served up an ace and, along with McCauley, is responsible for spreading the ball around.

Kenyon-Wanamingo looked very focused Thursday night at New Prague High School. The only fly in the ointment in my mind were eight service errors in the three sets. In my opinion, the Knights can't have that many errors and expect to defeat the defending section champions and state champion Belle Plaine Tigers on Saturday night.

The Tigers swept Southwest Christian for the North Subsection title before Kenyon-Wanamingo's match. So for the fourth straight year Kenyon-Wanamingo plays Belle Plaine in the section tournament.

The Knights have not been able to find a way to beat the Tigers, who are led by Division 1 player, 6-foot-1 senior Mariena Hayden. Hayden has an incredible 100-plus ace serves this season and is a true ball terminator on the attack.

The bracket says the two square off at Gustavus Adolphus in St. Peter, but unless they move the Class A and Class 2A Section title matches to the afternoon, the Gusties gym won't be available because they will be hosting the MIAC Championship match against Bethel at 7PM. As soon as we find out we will let you know.

Last year the matches had to be moved to Taylor Arena on the Minnesota State Mankato campus. The Mavericks are out of town this weekend.

Waterville-Elysian-Morristown plays Mayer Lutheran for the Class A Section 2 title at 6PM, according to the current bracket, and the Kenyon-Wanamingo versus Belle Plaine match would follow about 25 minutes after that game finishes.

We are scheduled to broadcast both games on KDHL Radio beginning at 5:45PM.