2021 Sauk Centre Volleyball

PHOTO BY MARK KLAPHAKE

SAUKSection CENTRE 6AA

The Sauk Centre Volleyball Team (front, from left) Jenna Gapinski-Vogt, Abbie Meyer, Ella Froseth, Emma Kittelson and Tory Jennissen; (middle row) Raya Sebek, Kate McKeown, Maddie Nelson, manager Ella Dold, Cierra Kortan and Lydia GreenBrueggemeier; (back row) Assistant Coach Steph Larson, Nina Thieschafer, Heidi Lieser, Brenna Bick, Alyssa Schwinghamer, Lisa Weir, Ava Kerfeld, Assistant Coach Jill Klaphake and Head Coach Jim Klaphake, won the Section 6AA championship Nov. 6 when they defeated Pequot Lakes in five sets at St. Cloud Tech High School. The Streeters are hea heading headin to the state tournament and will play Greenway Greenw way in the state quarterfi q nals.

Thursday, November 11, 2021

SPECIAL KEEPSAKE EDITIO EDITION ON OF THE THE H

Herald Sauk Centre

VO L L E Y B A L L

Champions

Sauk Centre Volleyball

Page 2| Thursday, November 11, 2021

PHOTO BY EVAN MICHEALSON

The Sauk Centre Streeters volleyball team seniors consist of Abbie Meyer (from left), Ella Froseth, Maddie Nelson, Brenna Bick, Alyssa Schwinghamer, Lisa Weir, Emma Kittelson and Ella Dold (inset). The Streeters, behind their senior class’s strong leadership, are headed to state, a lifetime dream for many of its players.

Seniors Brenna Bick

Parents: Mike and Theresa Bick Position: Right side

1. I like to listen to music before the game.

2. I like when we do our little rituals with the whole team because it is different for every other team. Every team has little things they do on the court and ours are fun!

3. I knew from the first practice we were going to do something great! I remember we had a team meeting and our main topic was what we were willing to do to get to the state tournament.

4. I was excited to celebrate with the whole team but mainly Alyssa Schwinghamer. We have been best friends since the seventh grade and have played volleyball with each other for a long time as well, so it was very exciting to make it to state our senior year.

5. It means the world to me. I think the whole team can agree that we have worked hard for this moment all year.

6. I think I would like to tell them, it takes a lot of hard work to get to the state tournament but in the end, it is all worth it.

Abbie Meyer

Parents: Tim and Tracy Meyer Position: Setter 1. As a whole team, we have many pregame rituals such as praying together, jamming out to music and doing a chant. Ella Froseth and I also have a secret handshake we do before every game!

2. My favorite thing to do on the court is celebrate with the team when someone has a good play or when we get an important point. The crowd goes wild and we are all super pumped, it’s an amazing feeling!

3. I have always thought this team could be really special, ever since this summer and playing in tournaments with each other. We have really good team chemistry, and the team is full of some amazing girls. This whole season, we have worked really hard, and I knew in some way our hard work would pay off!

4. The first person I wanted to celebrate with when we won the section finals game was Ella Froseth. We have been dreaming of this experience since we were little. She is my best friend and we are practically sisters; I couldn’t imagine sharing this experience with anyone else!

5. Getting to be a part of a team that is going to the state tournament is really a dream come true. All of us seniors have been wanting this since we were little. Everyone’s dream is to go to the state tournament their senior year, and this year it’s

Enjoying your great volleyball season . . .

GOOD LUCK AT STATE!

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Q &A

1. What is your pregame ritual?

2. What is your favorite thing to do on the court?

3. When did you think this team had a chance to do something special this year? Explain.

4. After your team clinched your state tournament bid, who was the first person you wanted to celebrate with? Why? 5. What does being a part of a team that will compete in the state tournament mean to you?

6. What is a message you would like to say to younger volleyball enthusiasts watching you at the state tournament?

true for us, and it feels so unreal. I am so proud 3. I always knew this team would be special, but I of everyone on the team and how hard we have especially noticed it during preseason when we worked to accomplish this goal! all put in 100% at every practice to get to where 6. To younger girls, I would say to always give we are today. We all wanted to get to the state everything you do 100% because you never tournament and we knew what work we needed know when it will be the last time you do it. to put in to get where we are!

Always work hard in practice and even though 4. I couldn’t wait to give my family hugs, because you may not see the results right away, they will they truly are my biggest supporters and I come. Enjoy every moment and don’t forget to couldn’t imagine doing this journey without have fun, because high school sports are about them! But, I especially wanted to hug the seniors making fun memories with your teammates that because of the special connection we have and you will never forget! the love of the game that we share. Also, I wanted to celebrate with Kate (McKeown), because Ella Froseth she has supported me through everything and Parents: Paul and Paula Froseth truly is the best!

Position: Setter 5. It means so much, because I’ve wanted this since I was a little girl, seeing my sister go to the state 1. My pregame ritual is praying with the team, tournament with her team and looking up to her banging on the lockers together and always doing and her teammates. This team is truly gonna a handshake with Abbie. hold a special place in my heart forever and I can 2. My favorite thing to do on the court is set up the say for all the seniors that this is the best team hitters and cheer when our team gets the point. we could ask for in our senior year!

3. After winning the Sauk Rapids and Perham 6. Younger girls … never set yourself short! Always tournaments, I thought our team could do somebelieve in yourself, because you truly can do thing special. We all started playing really well anything you put your mind to. Always do the together and focused on improving every day. extra things that are offered, because you won’t 4. After we knew we were going to the state tourregret them in the long run. You will go far in nament, Abbie was the first person I wanted to life if you tell yourself you can do anything, and celebrate with, because she’s my best friend. always be kind and humble to everyone!

We’ve been through almost everything together and it’s always been a dream of ours to go to the Ella Dold state tournament.

Parents: Craig and Jenny Dold 5. Being a part of a team that will compete in the Position: Manager state tournament means absolutely everything to me. I remember watching the older girls at the 1. Before every game as a team, we pray and bang state tournament when I was younger and from on the lockers while doing a chant. At home then on, it’s all I’ve ever dreamed of. games, we also do the Cupid Shuffle in the 6. To the younger volleyball girls … Always work locker room. hard and do your best whenever you are playing. 2. I am no longer able to play volleyball due to Working hard and staying focused at practice injuries, but when I did play, my favorite thing will pay off. Make a ton of memories with your to do was pass. teammates and have fun.

3. I knew this team could be something special when everyone on the team believed we could Maddy Nelson be something special and was ready to put in the Parents: Lee and Linda Nelson extra work.

Position: Libero 4. The first people I wanted to celebrate with were my fellow seniors. I have played with these girls 1. We always pray before each and every game as since we were very little and they have always well as jammin’ to music to get us pumped up so supported me through everything. we have the energy needed for that game!

5. It means a lot to me. It shows that all the hard 2. My favorite thing is to make plays for everyone. work we put in over the years, and especially It’s also my job to talk to everyone about what’s this year, paid off. going on during each volley. Also, I take pride 6. Enjoy every single moment – you never know in talking to anyone who did something good or when your last game could be. just even saying, “Hey, next play” if they make a mistake. Especially, my favorite part is playing for the Sauk Centre community, student section, Seniors page 3 my awesome coaches, family and everyone that cheers us on!

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Thursday, November 11, 2021 | Page 3

Lisa Weir prepares to serve-receive Nov. 6 at St. Cloud Tech High School in St. Cloud. Weir collected 12 digs and went 16/16 serving in the Section 6AA championship.

PHOTOS BY EVAN MICHEALSON

Sauk Centre volleyball head coach Jim Klaphake talks to his team during a Pequot Lakes timeout as Brenna Bick (from left), Alyssa Schwinghamer, Kate McKeown, Raya Sebek and Ella Froseth listen Nov. 6 at St. Cloud Tech High School in St. Cloud.

Timeouts proved to be critical in the tightly-contested Section 6AA final.

Cierra Kortan (from left), Tory Jennissen, Abbie Meyer and Maddie Nelson shout excitedly following a kill during the Section 6AA championship Nov. 6 at St. Cloud Tech High School in St. Cloud. Several celebrations were held for Sauk Centre on this day, as they locked up their first trip to the state tournament in nine years.

Seniors from page 2 Emma Kittelson

Parents: Sam and Annette Kittelson Position: Middle hitter 1. Before each game, we pray and we do a chant together.

2. My favorite thing to do on the court is support my teammates and get everyone excited. I like to cheer for my teammates when they do something good and make everyone feel included.

3. I knew we were special when we were playing in our summer tournaments. We didn’t always play the best in those tournaments, but I knew that we had lots of potential. We continued to work hard and our hard work is paying off.

4. I wanted to celebrate with my family when we won, because they support me through everything. I couldn’t be more grateful for their support.

5. Being a part of this team is really special for me.

I’ve struggled with injuries in the past couple of years and I never thought I could get to where I am today. I’m thankful for my team and our supporters and I couldn’t be happier.

6. Make the most out of every moment, because time goes by faster than you want it to. Have fun and appreciate the little things.

Great job, Congratulations!

(Above) Tory Jennissen (from left), Maddie Nelson and Emma Kittelson get emotional after being selected to the All-Section team Nov. 6 at St. Cloud Tech High School in St. Cloud. Members of the team were honored following the championship match, a Streeter victory.

(Left) Emma Kittelson cheers on her team from the bench Nov. 6 at St. Cloud Tech High School in St. Cloud. When Kittelson was on the court, she made a huge impact, logging seven kills and six blocks in a 3-2 Sauk Centre win over Pequot Lakes.

Lisa Weir

Alyssa Schwinghamer

Parents: Rick and Shari Weir Position: Defensive specialist

Parents: Patsy and Chad Schwinghamer Position: Left side

1. Before every game, I like to take a nap. Then, when I get to school, our team turns up the music and jams out. We also pray before every game.

2. My favorite thing to do on the court is get good saves. Hearing the crowd go wild and knowing that I didn’t let our team lose that point gives me a lot of energy.

3. I knew our team would do something special this year during the summer. Although we weren’t at our best, it was easy to see our potential. Working all summer in the gym with each other made it very noticeable we were something special.

4. After we won, I wanted to celebrate with my team. Everyone has their own special place in my heart. They all are very different which brings us all together. Knowing we all earned that win made the celebration more enjoyable.

5. It is so unreal. Being a senior, it means so much more because it is one of our lasts. If someone would’ve told me five years ago we would be going to the state tournament, I wouldn’t believe them.

6. Don’t take things for granted, because you never know when it’ll be your last. Keep on being involved because we as players look forward to seeing all of you guys.

1. The whole team sings and dances to whatever we have playing on the speaker. We always end the dance with the Cha Cha Slide! Then, we take a more serious turn and break down what we need to work on as a team to help us win the game. We then pray and do our locker chant.

2. My favorite thing to do on the court is celebrate after a point. We all go crazy and compliment the people that were a part of the play.

3. Honestly, I feel we had a chance from the beginning of the summer. We have such great team chemistry and we work so hard. We all wanted this and it shows tremendously.

4. The first person I wanted to celebrate with was Brenna Bick. Brenna is my best friend and I know she wanted to go to state just as much as I did. That first hug had to go to her!

5. Being a part of the team in the state tournament means so much to me. Going to the tournament shows how much our hard work has paid off. We could not have done this without the ongoing support of my teammates.

6. Everyone has a chance at something big. Never doubt that the team is good enough and ALWAYS have your teammates’ backs. The bonds on the team are like family bonds, they will never be broken.

Cоgratulatiоs on your success! // Good luck at state!

Congrats on going to State!

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Sauk Centre Volleyball

Page 4| Thursday, November 11, 2021

Senior Kittelson provides stability despite setbacks Streeters middle hitter overcomes injuries

BY EVAN MICHEALSON | STAFF WRITER

Emma Kittelson was in the early stages of her senior volleyball season when she suffered an unmistakable setback.

While participating in a stretching routine in early September, the talented middle hitter took a nasty spill backwards. As she landed on the ground, she caught herself with her left arm uncomfortably, leading to a radius fracture in her wrist.

It was a devastating turn of events for Kittelson, who had already missed all of her junior season with an open dislocation of her left foot. So, displaying incredible grit and determination, the longtime Streeter played the entirety of

her senior campaign even with the wrist injury.

“The mindset that I had playing through my wrist fracture was just to push through the pain,” she said. “It’s my senior year, and I wasn’t about to sit out because of a crack in my bone.”

Injuring her radius left Kittelson in a different role than she previously offered to the team. Known as a fearsome competitor in the middle of the court, Kittelson made a small adjustment, moving to the right side for about a month. Additionally, she found a way to pass and block using only her right hand. Despite being away from the game in a competitive setting for over a year,

she managed to grow as a player, helping in making the precarious situation work.

“Not being able to play my junior season really motivated me for my senior season,” Kittelson said. “I’m more athletic than I was in my sophomore season, and I’m less nervous to make mistakes. I bring energy to the team and I work hard.”

Despite her battles with injuries, Kittelson’s impact to the program cannot be understated. The 5’11” upperclassmen led the 30-1 Streeters with 204 kills while recording 49 blocks. She also compiled 66 digs and 19 aces, showing off her in-game versatility.

However, Kittelson is not just a technically sound volleyball player. She is also a distinguished leader and mentor for Sauk Centre, helping freshman Tory Jennissen grow acclimated to playing

Good luck at state!

Congratulations on all of your accomplishments!

at the varsity level.

“During the summer, I could tell she lacked confidence,” Kittelson said. “I push her in practice and I’ve watched her become better every day.”

Jennissen has emerged as one of the fiercest blockers in the entire state, slamming down 103 swats, including two in extra time during the fifth set of the Section 6AA championship against Pequot Lakes to send Sauk Centre to the state tournament. She credits Kittelson as someone who helped her step up her game.

“In practice, if I drop my elbow or something, the littlest mistakes, she always just explains how to do it right,” Jennissen said.

Playing such a critical role on Class AA’s third seed in the upcoming state tournament was something Kittelson could not have expected, not after her aforementioned foot injury. She remembers everything from that day at practice in July of 2020, from going up for a block to landing with her foot sideways, her bone jutting out through her skin. The gruesome event led to Kittelson missing six months of action, including her junior volleyball and girls basketball seasons, and it took nearly a year for the lingering pain to go away.

“It was very difficult mentally recovering from the dislocation,” she said. “It was frustrating, as I

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Emma Kittelson (right) breaks down into tears as she hugs Tory Jennissen after the Sauk Centre Streeters won the Section 6AA championship Nov. 6 at St. Cloud Tech High School in St. Cloud.

struggled with physical therapy and it was even more frustrating to not be as athletic as I was before the injury.”

While she could not contribute on the court at that time, Kittelson continued to support the Streeters however she could. She

attended practices and still soaked up coaching and time with her teammates, who were influential in helping the multi-sport athlete deal with being unable to play the game she loved.

“They always enKittelson page 2

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Sauk Centre Volleyball

Thursday, November 11, 2021 | Page 5

“They always encouraged me and reassured me that I was going to be okay.”

- Emma Kittelson

Kittelson from page 2 couraged me and reassured me that I was going to be okay,” Kittelson said.

Kittelson still occasionally feels fear when she lands on someone else’s foot, and her arduous struggles with a pair of exhausting injuries are memories that will not soon be forgotten. However, she is now as healthy as she could be and is focused on one thing: state.

“Making it to state has been my dream for a long time,” Kittelson said.

“I remember watching Jena Adams and her team drive by my school as they were leaving for state and knew then I wanted to do that someday.

We’ve worked hard for this and we’re motivated to play the best that we can.”

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Emma Kittelson gives two thumbs up following surgery on a dislocated left foot July 27, 2020 at CentraCare Sauk Centre in Sauk Centre. Kittelson missed her entire junior season after the injury but returned her senior season to lead the Streeters in kills.

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Sauk Centre Volleyball

PIECES SENIOR, L

MADDY NELSON

Great serve-receive, very good handling free balls and digging the ball. We leave a lot of responsibility with her. She has a lot of responsibility in the back and there’s a lot of times she has to get side-to-side.

She does a really good job of playing defense and playing serve-receive. Maddie, Cierra and Lisa start out offense.

10

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11

SENIOR, S

ABBIE MEYER

Not only does she play defense, she serves really well. She’s certainly one of our leaders in ace serves. She serves tough. She comes in and does a nice job setting Heidi and Tory.

SENIOR, OH SENIOR

ALYSSA SCHWINGHAMER #

Probably unseen, but she plays very good defense and when she gets the chance to hit, she puts the ball in play and makes the other team play the ball. She plays that front rotation. She does a decent job of blocking too.

12 SENIOR, MH

EMMA KITTELSON Makes the offense go. She can run some quick stuff in the middle and can certainly hit from the right side or left side. Plus, she’s a very good blocker.

SENIOR, DS

LISA WEIR

#

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Wishing You Good Luck at State!

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She’s probably one of the most improved girls on the team.

She’s been playing at a high level, playing great defense.

Stands in there when a team rips it at her. She does a nice job in serve-receive too. She does well with her hands up above her head but also passing the ball in front of her.

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Sauk Centre Volleyball

Thursday, November 11, 2021 | Page 7

OF THE

PUZZLE 17

#

JJUNIOR, UNIO OR OH

JENNA GAPINSKI-V0GT

Really good blocker. We run a lot of offense through her. She has that ability to hit the ball wherever she wants to. She could spike it down the line, deep cross, hit it from either side. She did a great job of filling in the middle when Emma had a broken wrist. She does a nice job at the net, whether she’s hitting or whether she’s blocking. Very imposing at the net.

Sauk Centre volleyball head coach Jim Klaphake has 10 players that consistently play each match. In this feature, he talks about each individual and what they bring to the team.

SENIOR, S

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ELLA FROSETH No. 1 setter. Definitely serves a high percentage. She’s a really good setter. She’ll get the ball to Jenna and Emma in that first rotation and gets us off to a good start.

FRESHMAN, MH

7

#

TORY JENNISSEN Great blocker. We certainly run a lot of the offense through her. With her height, she certainly has that ability to hit over the top of girls on the opposing team. No. 1, she’s a really good blocker. She uses her hands well and does a really good job at the net.

JUNIOR, OH

HEIDI LIESER

Good hitter from the left side or the right side.

Decent blocker. She has enough topspin on that ball, she can hit it wherever she wants to hit it. She uses her hands well. She can sweep the ball with one hand across the net. She does a nice job at the net.

FRESHMAN, OH

CIERRA KORTAN

Good all-around player. Not only is she a good hitter, she plays great defense, serves-receives well. She just does a nice job, all-around.

1

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Sauk Centre Volleyball

Page 8| Thursday, November 11, 2021

Team leader s

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Kills Emma Kittelson, 204; Tory Jennissen 168; Jenna Gapinski-Vogt 160

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PHOTOS BY EVAN MICHEALSON

Jenna Gapinski-Vogt tries to hit a ball past a Cathedral blocker during the Section 6AA semifinals Nov. 4 at St. Cloud Tech High School in St. Cloud. Gapinski-Vogt played a huge role in the Streeters’ final two matches, registering 17 kills and six blocks during that span.

PHOTOS

GOOD LUCK AT STATE!

BY MARK KLAPHAKE

Ella Froseth prepares to make a set Nov. 6 at St. Cloud Tech High School in St. Cloud Froseth totaled a team-high 19 set assists in the championship match versus Pequot Lakes.

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Blocks Jennissen, 103; Gapinski-Vogt, 78; Kittelson 49 Digs Maddie Nelson, 384; Sierra Kortan, 315; Lisa Weir, 162.

Serving percentage (50 serves minimum) Meyer, 96.8% (338-349); Froseth, 95.9% (306-319); Nelson, 95.1% (275-289).

Ace serves Meyer, 57; Nelson, 50; Kortan, 39.

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Cierra Kortan leaps into the air to hit a pass Nov. 6 at St. Cloud Tech High School in St. Cloud. Kortan piled up six kills against Pequot Lakes, helping Sauk Centre advance to state.

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Tory Jennissen (left) and Jenna Gapinski-Vogt holds their arms high following a block Nov. 6 at St. Cloud Tech High School in St. Cloud. Jennissen and Gapinski-Vogt were huge in the kills category, combining for 21 of them in the section championship.

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Luck!

Sauk Centre volleyball head coach Jim Klaphake stares down at the floor in disbelief after his team won the Section 6AA championship Nov. 6 at St. Cloud Tech High School in St. Cloud. The state trip was earned in a 3-2 Sauk Centre victory that took extra time in the fifth and final set.

Sauk Centre Volleyball

2021 Class 6AA

Thursday, November 11, 2021 | Page 9

Volleyball

TOURNAMENT

#1 Southwest Christian November 11, at 9 AM Xcel Center (Court 1) Mounds Park Academy

#4 Jackson County Central

November 12 at 9 AM Xcel Center (Court 1)

November 11, at 9 AM Xcel Center (Court 2) #5 Annandale November 13 at 3 PM Xcel Center (Court 1)

#2 Cannon Falls November 11, at 11 AM Xcel Center (Court 1) Hawley

#3 Sauk Centre

November 12 at 11 AM Xcel Center (Court 1)

November 11, at 11 AM Xcel Center (Court 2) Greenway

PHOTOS BY EVAN MICHEALSON

Brenna Bick points her arms skyward after a kill Nov. 6 at St. Cloud Tech High School in St. Cloud. Bick is one of seven seniors on the team, offering important leadership to a now-statebound squad.

Third Place

Loser Quarterfinal 1 November 12 at 9 AM Xcel Center (Court 2)

Loser Quarterfinal

November 13 at 9 AM Xcel Center (Court 2)

Loser Quarterfinal 1 November 12 at 9 AM Xcel Center (Court 2)

Loser Quarterfinal

Brenna Bick (from left), Kate McKeown, Lydia Green-Brueggemeier, Nina Thieschafer and Raya Sebek cheer after Sauk Centre records a point Nov. 6 at St. Cloud Tech High School in St. Cloud.

Through the Section 6AA playoffs, the bench was energetic and supportive of the team.

CONSOLATION WINNER

CHAMPION

Sauk Centre Volleyball

Page 10| Thursday, November 11, 2021

Years after playing career,

Klaphake’s dream comes true

Assistant coach’s competitiveness helps Streeters reach state

BY EVAN MICHEALSON STAFF WRITER

As the Sauk Centre Streeters volleyball team entered the fifth and final set of the Section 6AA championship versus the Pequot Lakes Patriots Nov. 6, Jill Klaphake could see the nervousness emanating across the girls’ faces.

After all, it was not long ago that Klaphake was a volleyball player herself, a star setter in the exact same spot.

“It was five years ago that I was playing in their shoes,” she said. “I know what it’s like.”

What Klaphake had not experienced, however, was what came next.

Under the former athlete’s attentive gaze, the Streeters steadied their nerves and delivered a heart-pounding 3-2 win to punch a ticket to the state tournament.

“I never got to do it as a player; that was always a dream of mine,” Jill said.

“It’s really special to do it alongside my dad (head coach Jim Klaphake) and with this great group of girls.”

Jill was a member of the Streeters volleyball

team from 2014-16, and during that time, Sauk Centre volleyball played its way to several deep section runs. In her senior campaign, the Streeters were the No. 1 seed but ran into a deadly Maple Lake Irish team in the championship. Sauk Centre fell 3-1 to the eventual state champions.

“It’s hard when it comes to sections; that’s just how it works,” Jill said. “Looking at Pequot Lakes’ team (this season), did they deserve to go to state? Probably. But that’s just how the sections play out and there’s nothing you can do about it.”

An even tougher loss, however, came the year before, in Jill’s junior season in 2015. The Streeters entered the title match as the No. 1 seed but lost in five hard-fought sets to Rocori. Unlike the story of the 2021 Streeters, points just did not go their way.

Despite the pain of missing out on such an important aspiration, Jill has used the disappointment of playoff losses to make herself stronger.

“Sometimes, those dreams of going to the

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Jill Klaphake (left) cheers on the Sauk Centre Streeters alongside Tory Jennissen (No. 7), Heidi Lieser (No. 14) and Abbie Meyer (No. 10) Nov. 6 at St. Cloud Tech High School in St. Cloud. Klaphake, a first-year assistant coach, played for the Streeters from 2014-16, but this is the first time she will experience the state tournament.

state tournament, that’s not how the dice rolls,” Jill said. “That’s life. It teaches you that things aren’t always going to go your way. How you react to that is going to shape you into the person you are, and I’m a firm believer that I wouldn’t be the person I am today without playing my three sports in high school.”

Despite coming to terms with these moments, Jill is not any less hungry

for success than before.

One year off the back of a four-year collegiate volleyball career at Concordia College in Moorhead, her drive, one of the factors that made her one of the best setters in Streeters history, still remains, and that passion for putting work in has passed on to the rest of the program.

“My dad told the girls before the playoffs, ‘For the next two weeks, I need you all to be as

competitive as she is,’” Jill said. “The girls laughed, because they knew. They grew up watching me and know how competitive I am.”

While this anticipated trip to the Xcel Energy Center is most certainly a product of talented volleyball players working together as a team to reach a common goal, Jill’s role as a “good cop” for her players has been important in keeping the squad

engaged.

“She’s done a really good job,” Jim said. “I knew Kellie (Wehrman) was going to be very hard to replace, but Jill has kind of stepped in and has that rapport with the girls.”

The state tournament is a long-term goal for just about every high school player and coach, but for Jill and the Streeters, it is an objective that was years

Congratulations, and Best of Luck at State!

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Jill Klaphake (right) hugs her father and coach Jim Klaphake, after losing in the Section 6AA championship Nov. 5, 2016 at St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud. Jill’s experiences as a Streeter in the section championship have helped her coach Sauk Centre to a section title.

Klaphake from page 10 in the making, even before the current players were participating at the varsity level. Jill remembers coaching Sauk Centre’s current senior class at volleyball camps back when she was a Streeters player, making the occasion even more special.

“They’re truly a great group of seniors on the volleyball court, but I told

them a couple of weeks ago, even more than that, how much we’re going to miss them just as good people,” she said. “It will be hard to say goodbye at the end of the season, but I’m happy it will be at the state tournament.”

The journey, however, is not over yet. It has been nine years since Sauk Centre represented

Section 6AA at the state tournament, and they want to make the most of it.

Armed with Jill’s invaluable game experience and perspective as a longtime student-athlete, they are ready for what comes next.

“They know that I’m going to push them, but ultimately, those long summer days, dragging them into the gym, it was all worth it,” Jill said.

Congratulations, Streeters!

Good Luck at the State Tournament!

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