East Grand Forks wins first set before falling to No. 1 New Life Academy at state tournament

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.

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ST. PAUL — During the regular season, only two teams took a set from the New Life Academy volleyball team.

The No. 1-seeded Eagles, who have 25 sweeps on the season, were given a rare challenge Thursday by East Grand Forks Senior High when the Green Wave won the opening set.

After two tight sets to open the match, however, New Life Academy found its stride and beat the No. 8 Green Wave 23-25, 25-23, 25-15, 25-9 in the Minnesota Class AA state quarterfinals at Grand Casino Arena.

East Grand Forks was playing in the program's first state tournament.

Korrie Wenzel / Grand Forks Herald

"We knew coming in we were the eight seed, but we know we have good volleyball in our neck of the woods," East Grand Forks coach Paula Devine said. "We came out really strong. We wished we could've finished the second set because then maybe things might have been a little different. Our kids competed, worked hard and scrappy. They played with a lot of pride out there."

In the opening set, the Wave jumped out to leads of 11-6 and 15-8. The Eagles charged back to tie the set at 23 before the Wave were able to finish off the opening set win with a tough dig from Kayla Carpenter, which landed on the Eagles' side for the 25-23 finish.

"They're a very good blocking team," New Life Academy coach Dede Lawson said. "They were very scrappy and sending balls back. We had a little first match state tournament jitters."

Korrie Wenzel / Grand Forks Herald

In a tight second set, the match was tied at 22 and the Wave took a 23-22 lead on a kill from freshman Camille Julien. The set ended, though, as the Wave were called for a net violation, followed by an East Grand Forks attack error.

The Eagles rode the momentum to a 25-15 win in the third set. In the fourth set, the Eagles used a 14-0 run to pull away quick for a 25-9 victory.

"It was a very fun experience, something our team hasn't experienced before," East Grand Forks junior hitter Lanee Hams said. "It was enjoyable and definitely nerve-wracking in this big of a gym with this many people."

Hams finished with a team-high eight kills and five blocks. She added 14 digs.

"(Hams) is a quality player, and we really had to take advantage when she was in the back (row)," Lawson said.

Hams' defense was an early spark for the Wave, who dropped to 22-11 on the season.

Korrie Wenzel / Grand Forks Herald

"We had some big blocks right away," Devine said. "Our defense has been our forte all season. When we block well and make teams change what they're doing, we capitalize on that."

The Wave play Dover-Eyota in the consolation semifinals at 5 p.m. Friday at Grand Casino Arena.

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and we're all just grateful and blessed," said East Grand Forks' Kelsey Spilde, who had 11 digs. "We worked so hard to get here, and we're soaking it all in."

New Life Academy was led by 18 kills from Ryleigh Schelhaas and 17 kills from Hannah Hanson. Setter Vana Jensen had 41 assists and five aces.

• Korrie Wenzel / Grand Forks Herald
• Korrie Wenzel / Grand Forks Herald
• Korrie Wenzel / Grand Forks Herald
• Korrie Wenzel / Grand Forks Herald
• Korrie Wenzel / Grand Forks Herald
• Korrie Wenzel / Grand Forks Herald
• Korrie Wenzel / Grand Forks Herald
• Korrie Wenzel / Grand Forks Herald
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• Korrie Wenzel / Grand Forks Herald
• Korrie Wenzel / Grand Forks Herald
• Korrie Wenzel / Grand Forks Herald
• Korrie Wenzel / Grand Forks Herald
• Korrie Wenzel / Grand Forks Herald
• Korrie Wenzel / Grand Forks Herald
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