In front of a packed-to-the-rafters Van Orsow Auditorium, the Cardinal volleyball team swept the previously unbeaten Waterville-Elysian-Morristown Buccaneers.

It was Bethlehem Academy's first match against a Class A opponent, and after a thrilling start to the match they imposed their will on the Bucs.

The first set saw Waterville-Elysian-Morristown jump out to a 6-2 lead. Cardinal head coach Franz Boelter took a time out and the play was awesome until the set was tied at 11. Then the Cardinals became more assertive and pulled away to win the first set 25-18. They were in control the next two sets and picked up identical 25-17 scores in each of those.

For me it's nearly mind blowing that the Cardinals have now won 120 straight Gopher Conference matches. Their last loss in the conference in volleyball came in 1999. I was 40 years old the last time they lost in the league.

Senior Maddie Strodtman and sophomore Mary Campbell put up a terrific block and were named Faribault State Farm Faribault players of the match courtesy of Jason Krohn and Tony Langerud. Hannah Robb and Olivia Nass were also named to that honor, but everyone played very well for Bethlehem Academy.

Libero Keely Skluzacek has improved immensely since I last saw the Cardinals against Stewartville earlier this month, and the addition of sophomore Meagen Donahue also solidified the block.

The Cardinals are 7-4 and travel to Blooming Prairie on Thursday night.

The Bucs are in the Class A Showcase tournament this Friday and Saturday at the Midwest Volleyball Warehouse in Burnsville.

Bethlehem Academy will head to a tournament loaded with great teams in Apple Valley this Friday and Saturday.

Cardinals Logo at Van Orsow Auditorium
Cardinals Logo at Van Orsow Auditorium
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