The Class 2A defending state champions from Stewartville dispatched the defending Class 1A state champs from Faribault Bethlehem Academy in three sets in Stewartville on Tuesday night.

For Stewartville it was payback for a loss last season at BA. Scores were 25-22, 25-22 and 25-18.

The Cardinals just might have the toughest schedule to start the season in the state. Most certainly among Class A schools they do. Last Thursday they fell to defending state 2A runner-up and perennial power Marshall on the road after opening their season last Tuesday with a sweep over Class 3A traditional powerhouse Lakeville North.

Head coach Franz Boelter told me before the Stewartville match that his team definitely needed improvement in their passing. Man was he right. It was an issue virtually all night.

While there were a couple of long volleys in the match, frankly it wasn't as exciting as I thought it would be.

Bethlehem Academy did have a lead in each of the sets but couldn't pull away. When good teams play each other, more often than not the team that passes best wins, and Stewartville definitely had better passing. Tiger senior libero Emily Branstad was impressive chasing down balls all over the court, and Stewartville showed why they have been a volleyball power for many years. They don't let many balls hit the floor.

Over the years that's also been the strength of the Cardinals, too, outlasting teams.

The Cardinals really let the first set slip away. Stewartville had six service errors and still captured the set. They added three more in each of the next two sets for 12 on the night. They also tallied eight aces. BA had seven service errors.

Our Faribault State Farm Agents Faribault players of the match were Payton Nutter with just about all of the attack offensively for the Cards and Shelby Meyer, who was able to save some errant passes and turn them into assists for her teammates.

The schedule doesn't get any easier for BA. Thursday they travel to Southwest Christian for a match before heading to the Shakopee tournament on Saturday.

Stewartville is at Hayfield on Thursday for their HVL Conference opener and Friday they are in the Apple Valley Invitational.

Stewartville Gym and the Eye of the Tiger
Stewartville Gym and the Eye of the Tiger
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