Prep volleyball: Ridgewater gets on track against Western Tech

Sep. 18—WILLMAR — The Ridgewater volleyball team overcame a first-set loss to beat Western Technical College 3-1 on Friday night.

The Warriors beat Western Tech of La Crosse, Wisconsin, 22-25, 25-20, 25-20, 25-22.

"The team showed up tonight with a goal in mind and absolutely killed it," Ridgewater head coach Amanda Bohlsen said. "Each player contributed equally, which led to a win that was truly a full team effort."

The victory broke a four-match losing streak for the Warriors, who opened the season 3-0.

Their balanced attack was led by Harlee Kunstleben and Morgan Mandel. Kunstleben, a right-side hitter from Paynesville, had 15 kills. Mandel, a 5-foot-10 middle hitter from Annandale, contributed 13 kills.

Madison Leyendecker, a setter from Paynesville, had 44 set assists, five kills and six digs. Tayler Schmidt had 20 digs. Schmidt is a defensive specialist from Paynesville.

The Warriors play Century College at noon Saturday at Ridgewater.

"The girls have gone above and beyond this past week to make their connections on and off the court and it was evident tonight," Bohlsen said. "We look forward to another game (Saturday) to keep the momentum rolling."

Ridgewater 3,

Western Tech 1

Western Tech (3-4) 25 20 20 22

Ridgewater (4-4) 22 25 25 25

Western Tech

Stats not available

Ridgewater

Serving (aces): Sienna Olson 2, Harlee Kunstleben 1, Haylee Johnson 1 ... Set assists: Chloe Bollinger 1, Morgan Mandel 1, Johnson 1, Tayler Schmidt 1, Kunstleben 1, Madison Leyendecker 44 ... Hitting (kills): Leyendecker 5, Adelia Pierson 5, Coral Mattison 6, Johnson 7, Olson 10, Mandel 13, Kunstleben 15 ... Blocking (aces): Olson 2, Mandel 1, Johnson 1 ... Digs (5 or more): Schmidt 20, Pierson 8, Bolinger 7, Leyendecker 6, Grace Garoutte 5