2021 Sauk Centre Girls Volleyball Championship

VOLLEYBALL V VO OLLLLEEY YBA BALLLL CHAMPIONS CHA HAMP MP NS | SSAUK MPIONS MP AU A UK C CE CENTRE ENTR NTTR N REE H HERALD EER RA ALLD LD | TTH THURSDAY, HUR RSSD DA AY Y, NO N NOVEMBER OV VEEM MB BER R1 18, 8, 2 8, 2021 021 | Pa 02 P Page age g 1 ge

e t a t S

s n o i p m a h C PHOTO BY MARK KLAPHAKE

The Sauk Centre Volleyball Team (front, from left) Brenna Bick, Lisa Weir, Ella Froseth, Abbie Meyer, Maddie Nelson, manager Ella Dold, Alyssa Schwinghamer and Emma Kittelson; (back, from left) assistant coach Steph Larson, Tory Jennissen, Raya Sebek, Nina Thieschafer, Heidi Lieser, Kate McKeown, Jenna Gapinski-Vogt, Cierra Kortan, Lydia Green-Bruggemeier, manager Ava Kerfeld, assistant coach Jill Klaphake and head coach Jim Klaphake gather after winning the Class AA State title. They defeated Jackson County Central in four sets Nov. 13 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. The Streeters finished their season with a 33-1 record.

A dream long deserved

Sauk Centre volleyball wins Class AA championship

BY EVAN MICHEALSON STAFF WRITER

The mark of a championship team is not found when they are winning, but when they are losing.

The Sauk Centre Streeters returned to the bench after set one in dire straits, as the Jackson County Central Huskies seemed completely unstoppable in a 2513 win. Star outside hitter Sadie Voss kept finding the open floor for kill after kill, while the Streeters rarely fooled the Huskies’ back-row defense.

However, Sauk Centre had come too far to be denied in blowout fashion.

And behind 11-kill performances from

Emma Kittelson and Jenna GapinskiVogt and all-around showings from freshmen and seniors alike, the Streeters defeated Jackson County Central 3-1 (13-25, 25-21, 25-17, 25-19) to win the Class AA state championship for the first time in school history Nov. 13 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

“It’s all I’ve ever dreamed of, all I could ever dream of and we couldn’t imagine doing it for a different community, different people, cheering us on,” said Maddie Nelson, senior libero. “We’re proud to be here.”

After the Huskies secured a 12-point statement win in set one, head coach Jim Klaphake’s prevailing message was simple in theory, difficult in execution: settle down.

“They just punched us in the mouth,” Klaphake recalls telling his team. “Now, how are we going to react?”

There never seemed to be any

Congratulations!

doubts amongst the talented roster, as Sauk Centre promptly responded by maintaining a lead throughout most of the second set. Even after the Huskies tallied six of eight points to go ahead 11-10, the Streeters kept their resolve in check. Cierra Kortan collected two key kills down the stretch as Sauk Centre evened the match at one.

“We’re talking about high school kids, we’re talking about 15, 16, 17-year-old girls,” Klaphake said. “You see professional teams fold up after someone turns around and gets a run on them like we did in that first set. I give a lot of credit to the kids. They had that ability to bear down and get back to concentrating and focusing, just working on our game plan.”

Jackson County Central wrangled back control of the match with an electrifying start to the third set, grabbing 6-2, 9-5, and 12-9 leads. Despite these

strong sequences, Sauk Centre tied the set at 15 with a Kittelson kill and recorded 11 of the last 13 points. During those critical volleys and exhausting back-and-forth plays, Sauk Centre saw momentum turning their way, and it was thrilling.

“To be on the court as we were getting those runs, it was really exciting,” Kittelson said. “You could feel the energy, and we didn’t stop for the rest of the game.”

Klaphake was glad his team responded to the challenge at hand, but with a loud, supportive student section and his bench jumping out of their seats, he did not want his team to get too fired up before the match was won.

“When we ended that third set, it was like, ‘We still have to get one more.

to the Sauk Centre Girls Volleyball Team!

Your hard work has really paid off!

Streeters Rock!

214 12th Street Sauk Centre, MN 56378 (320) 352-5990

Volleyball page 3

Page 2 | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2021 | SAUK CENTRE HERALD | VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONS

Title culminates long program-building process After 18 seasons, Klaphake earns first state title

BY TOM FENTON STAFF WRITER

Jim Klaphake never gave much thought to becoming a volleyball coach. Life for the fifth-oldest of 11 children consisted of school, playing football and working on the family farm outside of Sauk Centre.

After quickly falling in love with the sport while playing in co-ed and men’s volleyball leagues after high school, volleyball became a way of life in the Klaphake family, eventually leading to him taking over the Streeters program in 2004. Eighteen years, countless practices and several heartbreaking playoff losses later, his labor of love reaped the ultimate prize.

In its eighth state tournament appearance and fourth under Klaphake, Sauk Centre is a state champion.

The Streeters rallied from a slow start to beat Jackson County Central 3-1 (13-25, 25-21, 25-17, 25-19) for the Class AA championship Nov. 13 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

It was the first state tournament appearance for the program since 2012, when they placed third.

In their other two trips to state under Klaphake, the Mainstreeters placed fourth in 2010 and won the consolation title in 2011.

“It’s a heck of a good feeling,” Klaphake said.

“Thursday, Friday and Saturday schedule was hectic, but the girls played fantastic and were determined. In the championship game, we

PHOTO BY TOM FENTON

Jim Klaphake (middle) encourages his team during a timeout during their match against Jackson County Central in the Class AA state championship Nov. 13 at the Xcel Energy Center in Sauk Centre. Klaphake has been guiding the Streeter program since 2004.

talked a little in the locker room that they’re going to remember what they do in the next two hours for the rest of their life, so I told them to go out there and let’s have them be great memories.”

Expectations were high for Sauk Centre this season, but with no state tournament last year due to COVID-19, no one was certain of how the season would unfold.

As it progressed, it became obvious they would be a contender.

The Streeters’ lone loss was a 2-1 decision to Watertown-Mayer in pool play of the season-opening Albany Invitational. In bestof-five matches, Sauk Centre was stretched to five sets

once (by Belgrade-BrootenElrosa) and defeated Melrose and BOLD in four sets.

Up until the Section 6AA playoffs, they had won 13 matches in three-set sweeps.

However, simply getting to the state tournament appeared in peril at the Section 6AA championship Nov. 6 at St. Cloud Tech High School in St. Cloud.

The Streeters were facing a Pequot Lakes team they had swept earlier in the season, but the Patriots were a different team with high stakes on the line.

Sauk Centre was forced to five sets and led the final set 7-1 and 13-8 before finally clinching their spot at state with a 16-14 win. Though

Way to go!

Con Congratulations ngratulatio ons on your state title.

Sheena Sunderman REALTOR 626 Main Street Sauk Centre, MN 56378 CELL: 320-224-3115

sheena@centralmnrealty.com

Congratulations on your great season!

NEED A LOAN?

high on stress, Klaphake said the manner of which his team advanced was huge for state tournament preparation.

“That match was something,” Klaphake said.

“When we got done, I said, ‘That got us ready for the state tournament.’ Pequot was like a state tournament team, and it felt like a state tournament game. We really hadn’t been tested in a long time in a five-set match like that. We felt relieved that we survived.”

The opening round of the tournament Nov. 11 perhaps gave Sauk Centre an unexpected jolt. The Streeters handled Greenway (Coleraine) in four sets in their quarterfinal match, but top-seeded Southwest Christian and second-seeded Cannon Falls each were upset in five-set marathons.

The top two seeds being gone certainly did not mean the Streeters were guaranteed the title, but Klaphake admits it altered the team’s narrative.

“Seeing one and two go down, you’re a little like ‘Wow,’” Klaphake said.

“But at the same time, you wonder about the two teams that just beat them. The fact that the top two seeds went down was something we were aware of. From that perspective, it showed that the tournament was wide open. Did that mean we were the favorite? I don’t think so.

It’s the state tournament and there are really good teams all around.”

Indeed, the Streeters still needed two more victories.

Sauk Centre had beaten their semifinal opponent – Hawley – in pool play at the Perham Invitational Oct. 9.

Knowing how Pequot Lakes nearly pulled an upset two weeks after being swept by Sauk Centre, Klaphake said, helped his team be ready.

“We didn’t want to have the same scenario with Pequot we did with Hawley,” Klaphake said. “They’re very scrappy and keep a lot of balls alive and are wellcoached.”

The Streeters played nothing like the Streeters in the opening set of the title match against JCC.

They played tentative and nervous as the Huskies clawed to a first-set victory, and Klaphake told his team this was not what was discussed during pre-game preparations.

Things needed to quickly change, or Sauk Centre would have traveled I-94 west with the runnerup trophy and silver medals.

While it is easy to say the Streeters needed to play better, turning that speech into results on the court can be difficult.

“I think they felt bad after the first game,” Klaphake said. “You see it when professional teams play each other that they can’t always turn things around. When the Twins play the Yankees, they play horrible and that lasts for three hours. They don’t get over it after one inning. I tried to get them to lighten up a little and enjoy the moment. That was the message, and they responded in a big way.”

Klaphake said the win is about far more than this team. It is about all the players and assistant coaches who helped establish the

CONGRATULATIONS!

Purchases and Refinancess • VA • FHA • USDA Angie Hoeschen NMLS#360938

NM N M MLLS LS#3 #361 6117 171 NMLS#361171

We Have Programs for Purchases with Zero Money D Down!! C Callll Angie A i today! t d !

(320) 352-3999

Visit Our Website: www.mortgagesonmain.com

PHOTO BY MARK KLAPHAKE

Head Coach Jim Klaphake hugs assistant coaches Jill Klaphake (left) and Steph Larson after Sauk Centre defeated Jackson County Central to win the Class AA State Championship.

Call M.O.M.

And a variety of conventional products to meet your needs.

team’s recent success. That includes his daughters, Jill Klaphake and Jena Adams, who both played for their father and are current assistant coaches. Notably, Jena, who was a setter on the three state tournament teams from 2010-12, gave birth to baby boy Theodore, who weighed in at 10 pounds, 3 ounces, the day after the Mainstreeters’ openinground playoff victory over Melrose.

Understandably, Jena had to enjoy the experience via the internet.

And, whether they were sitting on the bench, up in the stands or watching from home, many people are responsible for the incredible culmination of a longtime goal for the Sauk Centre volleyball program. At last, the trophy is theirs.

“This was not a process that happened just this year,” Klaphake said. “It’s been a long time coming. The girls who came before this team helped make this happen. We feel fortunate. You need a few breaks here and there and now, we’re state champions.

That sure sounds good.”

801 Beltline Rd., Sauk Centre, MN | 320-352-6564

VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONS | SAUK CENTRE HERALD | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2021 | Page 3

PHOTO BY EVAN MICHEALSON

The Sauk Centre bench (from left) Raya Sebek, Nina Thieschafer, Lydia Green-Bruggemeier, Kate McKeown, head coach Jim Klaphake, Jenna Gapinski-Vogt, Ella Froseth, Emma Kittelson, assistant coach Steph Larson and Lisa Weir watch with anticipation as the final point is won by the Streeters in their match against Jackson County Central.

Volleyball from front

We still need to play well,’” he said.

No problem, said the Streeters. Senior setter Ella Froseth led two threepoint serving runs in helping Sauk Centre stay within striking distance of the Huskies, who entered having only lost to one Class AA team the entire season.

“It reminded me of when we were playing in the section championship to go the state tournament against Pequot,” Froseth said. “It was a lot of the same feeling: we got this, our momentum is going so good right now and we didn’t want it to go back downhill. It was amazing, and I’ll never forget it.”

Sauk Centre led 19-11 at the tail end of Froseth’s second serving run, and it appeared like set four was going to be an easy victory for the Streeters.

However, the Section 6AA champions had some difficulty closing things out against the Huskies, who pulled within three at 22-19 before a pair of kills from freshman middle hitter Tory Jennissen shut the door.

“Stealing a phrase from Mr. Bergman (Sauk Centre activities director): ‘You don’t get what you deserve, you get what you earn. Go earn it,’” Klaphake said. “I told that to the girls before the match. What a feeling,

“

“The first set was a little down and we didn’t play the best ... I think it started turning when we had a couple of good runs.”

- Abbie Meyer, senior setter and they earned it. They earned it this week, they earned it their whole life, since they were young girls. They worked their butt off for this.”

Sauk Centre’s championship win is a testament not only to the level of skill present on the roster, but also unparalleled resilience that showed up time and time again in the team’s biggest match in program history.

Even when things looked bleak, the Streeters’ seven seniors rose to the occasion and provided important leadership.

“The first set was a little down and we didn’t play the best and some of the girls, I think things were getting in their heads, but when I was on the bench, I was trying to be like, ‘That was really good!’” said Abbie Meyer, senior setter.

“Even if it wasn’t a kill, I was like, ‘Good hit, good hit!’ and I think it started turning when we had a couple of good runs.”

And when the Streeters earned their 25th point of set four, the jubilated team collided at midcourt in a massive pile and exchanged embraces in a moment unforeseen by just about everyone. Sauk Centre was never regarded as the top team in Class AA by rankings, and after playing only six matches in a COVID-19-affected 2020 campaign, nobody entered the season expecting this result. That is, except one: Kittelson.

“When I dislocated my ankle (last year), I didn’t know if I would ever play again,” Kittelson said. “It was really hard for me. To be back the whole season, even if I had to play part of it with one hand, it’s just really exciting and I couldn’t ask for a better feeling.”

Kittelson and Kortan were selected to the Class AA All-Tournament team.

The team took the team bus back to Sauk Centre, where they hosted

Congratulations

PHOTO BY EVAN MICHEALSON

Alyssa Schwinghamer (from left), Cierra Kortan, Maddie Nelson, Abbie Meyer, Tory Jennissen and Heidi Lieser celebrate after the Streeters scored the final point and won the state championship.

It was the volleyball program’s first title.

a celebration in the Sauk Centre High School gym.

The squad basked in their newfound glory and held up the Class AA championship trophy, a reward for the hard work they have put in

all campaign.

“I tell you what, what a feeling this is,” Klaphake said. “The girls have certainly earned it, and we’re state champions.”

Serving: Froseth 21/21, Kortan 20/21, Kittelson 12/13, Meyer 12/12 and Nelson 12/12. Set assists: Froseth 22 and Meyer 11. Digs: Nelson 18, Kortan 18 and Lisa Weir 12.

Kills: Kittelson 11, GapinskiVogt 11 and Jennissen 8. Aces: Kortan 2.

Congratulations!

We are proud of your achievements!

SAUK CENTRE PUBLIC SCHOOLS Home of the Mainstreeters

320-352-2258

2021 State Class AA Champions and other State participants

903 State Rd., Sauk Centre, MN 56378

Congratulations!

STATE CHAMPIONS!!!

Call us for all your insurance needs.

- From S.C. Sports Boosters

512 Main Street S, Ste 2 • Sauk Centre, MN 56378

saukcentreinsurance-billmarks.com • Appointments available at anytime

Call us today • 320.351.2436

Page 4 | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2021 | SAUK CENTRE HERALD | VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONS

Streeters slam their way to

state semifinals

Sauk Centre bests Greenway in four sets

BY EVAN MICHEALSON STAFF WRITER

As Emma Kittelson approached her spot on the bench following a substitution in the closing minutes of the Class AA volleyball quarterfinals, a loud chorus of voices echoed through the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul as the Sauk Centre fan section chanted her name.

It was a moment that the senior most certainly deserved, as the middle hitter registered five of her 11 kills in the fourth and final set, helping the Sauk Centre Streeters advance to the semifinals with a 3-1 (25-18, 25-19, 19-25, 25-10) triumph over the Greenway Raiders Nov. 11.

“I was just stressing the point with the girls: finish this,’” said Jim Klaphake, head coach. “We don’t want to go to a set five, a short game to 15 where some fluke plays can turn around and win it. We wanted to win with an exclamation point and finish that match, and I think the girls did.”

Sauk Centre came out firing in their first state appearance in nearly a decade. Kittelson put the Streeters on the board to start the scoring in the first set, with Klaphake’s squad running amok on the court in a 10-5 start. After Greenway pushed back to close the deficit to three points, the Streeters outscored Greenway 8-4 in the final

stretch to take set one.

“They have that ability to bear down if they need to,” Klaphake said.

The Raiders rarely led in the first two sets, only possessing leads of 6-5, 11-10 and 12-11 in the second set, as Sauk Centre’s offense maintained a fast-paced tempo while showing accuracy on their passes. Senior setters Ella Froseth and Abbie Meyer combined for 33 assists as the Streeters committed just one setting error compared to Greenway’s eight.

“I thought our passing really helped our offense,” Kittelson said. “When you get the ball to the right spot, you can really run anything, and I thought that helped a lot. I could run fast stuff with Ella and Abbie.”

Kittelson was not the only Streeter hitter finding success off the back of solid serve-receive and setting.

Right side specialist Jenna Gapinski-Vogt executed her role to perfection, collecting seven kills and three blocks, while ninth-grader Tory Jennissen picked up a teamhigh 13 kills and four blocks.

Greenway, however, remained close in those first two sets and finally utilized their top-tier hitting to skewer the Streeters’ defense in set three. The Raiders never trailed during the highly-contested game, with primary scorers Bri Miller and Emma Markovich combining for an astounding 31 kills overall.

“I told them, ‘We have to control the ball so we can run offense and be efficient running offense,’” Klaphake said. “In sets one and two, we did a great job, we controlled the ball well. Set three, we

PHOTO BY MARK KLAPHAKE

Junior Heidi Lieser pushes the ball over the net during Sauk Centre’s four-set win over Greenway in the Class AA quarterfinals Nov. 11 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Sauk Centre won 25-18, 25-19, 19-25 and 25-10.

got away a little bit. They had a few tips and spikes and our ball control wasn’t as good.”

Even with the Raiders seemingly possessing all of the momentum entering the fourth set, Sauk Centre would not let their magical season end with a reversesweep. After Greenway logged an ace block to cut Sauk Centre’s early lead to 4-3, the Streeters went on a mammoth scoring run, snagging 10 of the next 12 points. Kortan, Jennissen, Kittelson, Gapinski-Vogt and Heidi Lieser all tallied kills during this time.

“I was nervous throughout that third set, but

when we came out strong in that fourth set, I think everybody’s nerves settled down and we got more comfortable with ourselves and played really well,” Kittelson said.

Senior Alyssa Schwinghamer sealed a 15-point fourth-set win with her third kill of the contest.

While it was not always pretty, Sauk Centre moved on with confidence due to the contribution levels from a variety of players. Kortan compiled four kills, 12 digs and three blocks, while libero Nelson made just one error on 41 reception attempts.

“We’re going to semis, and that’s a heckuva good feeling,” Klaphake said.

Serving: Froseth 22/22, Kortan 16/16, Kittelson 14/15, Meyer 13/15, Lisa Weir 12/12 and Nelson 11/12. Set assists: Froseth 21 and Meyer 12. Digs: Nelson 23 and Kortan 12. Kills: Jennissen 13, Kittelson 11 and Gapinski-Vogt 7.

Blocks: Kittelson 9 and Jennissen 4. Aces: Meyer 2, Froseth 2 and Nelson 2.

PHOTO BY MARK KLAPHAKE

Senior Brenna Bick serves to Greenway in the fourth set of the Streeters’ win in the state quarterfinals.

sauk centre streeters

sauk centre streeters

Congratulations!

PHOTO BY MARK KLAPHAKE

Senior Emma Kittelson stuffs a Greenway hit during their match in the state quarterfinals.

Kittelson had 11 kills in the win.

We Are So ! u o Y f o d u Pro

YOUR NEW HOME DESERVES THE BEST PROTECTION

American Family is proud to announce our homeowners insurance is award-winning.

Contact me today and get the protection you deserve.

From Forbes Advisor, Jan. 12, 2021 © Forbes Marketplace Operations, Inc. 2021

American Family Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. & its Operating Companies, 6000 American Parkway, Madison, WI 53783 ©2021 19759 – 4/21 – 14421516

Timothy Kampsen, Agent Tim Kampsen Agency Inc Sauk Centre, MN 56378 Bus: (320) 352-6115 tkampsen@amfam.com

108 Spruce St. S. • Sauk Centre, MN 56378

320-352-3194

VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONS | SAUK CENTRE HERALD | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2021 | Page 5

Sauk Centre volleyball devours Nuggets in semifinal slugfest Streeters win in three sets over Hawley

BY EVAN MICHEALSON STAFF WRITER

When Sauk Centre volleyball head coach Jim Klaphake called his second and final timeout in the waning moments of the third set of the Class AA semifinals versus Hawley Nov. 12, it was a break the Streeters might not have thought they would have even needed.

Down 2-0 in the match, the Nuggets had just fired off a six-point scoring run to tie the set at 23, making the next few points critical.

If Hawley secured them, it would be the completion of a comeback that maybe, just maybe, would create enough momentum to win the match.

However, Sauk Centre did not have to worry about that, as an Emma Kittelson kill and a Nugget error secured the Streeters’ firstever state championship appearance in a 3-0 (25-23, 25-15, 25-23) victory at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

“It’s a wonderful feeling,” said Jenna Gapinski-Vogt, junior right side hitter. “It hasn’t hit me yet. It will probably hit me when I’m laying in bed later today.”

Set one defined the type of match this semifinals showdown would be, as the Streeters sprung out to an 8-3 lead only to watch the Nuggets tie the game at nine. Cierra Kortan recorded three of Sauk Centre’s next seven points as Sauk Centre retook their advantage 1612, but Hawley showed resilience in fighting the

PHOTO BY TOM FENTON

Coach Jim Klaphake and players Abbie Meyer, Heidi Lieser, Brenna Bick and Tory Jennissen celebrate after the Streeters defeated Hawley in three sets in the Class AA state semifinals Nov. 12 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

game back to dead-even at 23.

What has separated this Streeters team from most Class AA programs is their impeccable ability to win close sets, and Sauk Centre did so again following a pair of Hawley fouls, taking set one by two points.

“I think we just needed to keep our heads up and stay locked in and not get down on ourselves,” Gapinski-Vogt said.

The Streeters used this critical opening-set win to carry over positive momentum into the second set. After Hawley took a 2-0 lead, Sauk Centre put

together a nine-point scoring run, including two aces from Kortan.

After a rare Sauk Centre service error ended the run, the Streeters never allowed the Nuggets to close within four points for the rest of the set. Abbie Meyer logged an ace, while Kittelson tallied three kills and a block to give Sauk Centre a 10-point advantage, 21-11. They never looked back, seizing a 25-15 victory to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the match.

“We always block well, and playing defense around the block, that counts,” Klaphake said. “I really think our defense around the block picked it up and certainly gave the setter good balls to set, which in turn, our hitters, they were putting it away.”

Gapinski-Vogt paced the Streeters with a team-high 11 kills. Kortan recorded seven kills, 15 digs and two aces in a dominant effort, while Kittelson totaled 10 kills, including the first kills for the team in every set.

A potential advantage for both squads was the fact they had played each other already this season, and in a pressure-filled situation.

The Streeters defeated the Nuggets 2-0 in the championship match of the Perham Invite Oct. 9.

“We knew they had a good left side and I think that’s what we mainly focused on today, blocking their quick left sides,” Gapinski-Vogt said. “We knew their setter liked to

dump and tip, so we were on our toes for that. Overall, it worked out.”

Before they eventually let Hawley back into the contest with a heartpounding ending to the third set, Sauk Centre pulled ahead behind a three-point serving run from Lisa Weir, grabbing their first lead at 7-6. Gapinski-Vogt slammed down an important kill to make it 13-10 in favor of the Streeters, as they began a four-point scoring run that included kills from Kittelson and Kortan.

“We kept swinging away,” Klaphake said.

Unforced errors plagued Hawley all afternoon, as the unseeded Nuggets piled up four ball-handling errors alone in compiling 19 errors as a team. Sauk Centre, meanwhile, stayed disciplined, logging only 13 total errors.

Sauk Centre’s back row played a statement match.

Setters Froseth and Meyer collectively accumulated 21 set assists while committing zero setting errors, while Maddie Nelson and Weir collected 25 and 12 digs, respectively.

“Boy, they (Hawley) kept a lot of balls alive, but our girls matched that, and they needed to be able to match that,” Klaphake said.

Serving: Kortan 17/19, Froseth 13/13, Meyer 11/11 and Nelson 10/11. Set assists: Froseth 14. Digs: Nelson 25, Kortan 15 and Weir 12. Kills: Gapinski-Vogt 11, Kittelson 10 and Kortan 7. Aces: Kortan 3.

Cоgratulatiоs!

Congratulations Streeters!

Ron Moritz Construction, LLC Sauk Centre • 320-352-1332 • Lic #20230001

CONGRATULATIONS STREETERS! David Weber L HEATI NG Cell: 320-290-0160 N T RA E Lic. #MR057710 C & Blair Weiers AIR CONDITIONING 320-290-1840 S E RV I C E ,

I N C .

SALESMAN

1180 Sinclair Lewis Avenue • Sauk Centre, MN Office: 320-351-4100 • Fax: 320-351-4115 Plumbing Installation • Custom Sheet Metal • New Construction & Remodeling

Way to Go Streeters!

Central Minnesota Finishing, Inc. Bob Peterson: 320-352-5747 Cell: 320-293-2005 Fax: 320-352-5743

441 Lincoln Loop Sauk Centre, MN 56378

METAL FINISHING

TRUCKERS INN

STATION & RESTAURANT

I-94 & US HIGHWAY 71 SAUK CENTRE

Congratulations Volleyball Team on your state title!

BREAKFAST • DAILY & EVENING SPECIALS • 24 HOURS

Station 320-352-5241 • Restaurant 320-352-3429

Cоgratulatiоs

on the championship! We are proud of you! saukcentrechamber.com cham mbe ber com ber co

wyndhamhotels.com • 320.352.2800

524 4th St. S., Sauk Centre, MN 56378 // 320-352-5201

STOP IN FOR A COLD ONE! E!

PADUA

Great Job! PUB PHOTO BY EVAN MICHEALSON

Junior Jenna Gapinski-Vogt spikes the ball past a Hawley blocker during their state semifinal match Nov. 12 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Gapinski-Vogt had 11 kills in the match and the Streeters won in three sets.

ts a r g

n Co mps! a

Ch

Located 10 Mi. No. of Brooten on Co. Rd 18 or 7 Mi. So. of Sauk Centre on Hwy. 71, then 5 Mi. W. on Co. R. 22.

320-352-2683

SCHEDULE YOUR GARBAGE OR DUMPSTER PICKUP today!

Residential | Commercial | Farm Pickup | Demolition | Recycling 10, 20 & 30 Yard Dumpsters | 32, 64 & 96 Gallon Trash Containers 39864 South Hwy. 71, Sauk Centre | 877-352-2876 | wm.com wm com

Page 6 | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2021 | SAUK CENTRE HERALD | VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONS

Meet your

S tate Champions Stats: 3 kills, s, 13 assists, s, 191 digs, s, 315-332 serving er (26 aces) ac

Stats: 136 kills, 22 assists, 11 blocks, 360 digs, 396-419 serving (44 aces)

Cierra Kortan

Freshman | Outside Hitter | 5’8”

Stats: 2 digs, 2-3 serving g (1 ace)

Lisa Weir

Senior | Defensive Specialist | 5’6”

Stats: 236 kills, 8 assists, 62 blocks, 72 digs, 215-244 serving (20 aces)

Stats: 8 digs, 23-23 serving (4 aces)

Kate McKeown

Junior | Outside Hitter | 5’5”

Stats: 5 kills, 376 assists, 141 digs, 374-387 serving (60 aces)

SAUK CENTRE

Emma Kittelson

Tory Jennissen

Senior | Middle Hitter | 5’11”

Freshman | Middle Hitter | 6’2”

Senior | Outside Hitter | 5’8”

Congratulations, Streeters, on winning state

Student, single, joint and family memberships available.

1190 Main Street South, Sauk Centre 320-351-7627 I ˬˬˬʣ˨ˣ˖˥Ϟ˩ˣ˚˨˨ʣ˘ˤˢ

Stats: (moved up to varsity at the end of the season)

Alyssa Schwinghamer

Senior | Setter | 5’4”

We are proud of you and your success this season!

Junior | Defensive Specialist | 5’6”

Stats: 190 kills, 8 assists, 118 blocks, 36 digs

Stats: 70 kills, 8 assists, 11 blocks, 107 digs, 14-16 serving (3 aces)

Abbie Meyer

Lydia Green-Brueggemeier

Kleinschmidt PLUMBING • HEATING • A/C 223 Main St. S. Sauk Centre

Congratulations, Streeter Volleyball!

24 Hour Emergency Service Serving Sauk Centre and the Surrounding Area Cell: 320-266-0049 -0049 • Bus Business: 320-351-4567 Jamie Kleinschmidt Owner

Congratulations!

Sauk Centre Girls Volleyball on your STATE WIN!

Nina Thieschafer

Sophomore | Middle Hitter | 5’5”

FTO

Congrats!

AFTER HOURS | 351-8995 or 333-1906 BULK FUEL DELIVERY

FRIEDRICHS TIRE & OIL SAUK CENTRE 352-5418 - or - 352-3612

Established in 1975

• Ditching • Tiling • Excavating • Ag Waste Systems

Drainage LLC. D Howard Marthaler 320-250-2984 Jason Marthaler 320-249-6062 Karl Larson 320-808-8012

1800 2nd St. S. • Sauk Centre, MN

VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONS | SAUK CENTRE HERALD | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2021 | Page 7

“It’s all I’ve ever dreamed of, all I could ever dream of and we couldn’t imagine doing it for a different community, different people, cheering us on. We’re proud to be here.”

- Maddie Nelson, senior libero s, Stats: 125 kills, 2 assists, ks 35 blocks, gs 67 digs

Stats: 3 kills, 11 digs, 48-51 serving (6 aces)

Stats: 10 kills, 436 assists, 156 digs, 362-375 serving (38 aces)

Heidi Lieser

Brenna Bick

Ella Froseth

Junior | Outside Hitter | 5’8”

Senior | Opposite Hitter | 5’8”

Senior | Setter | 5’5”

Stats: 185 kills, 13 assists, 86 blocks, 63 digs, 84-91 serving (10 aces)

Stats: (moved up to varsity at the end of the season)

Stats: 11 kills, 59 assists, 451 digs, 308-324 serving (53 aces)

Jenna Gapinski-Vogt Junior | Opposite Hitter | 6’0”

CONGRATULATIONS! SAUK CENTRE GIRLS VOLLEYBALL!

Madeline Nelson

Raya Sebek

Senior | Libero | 5’9”

Sophomore | Libero | 5’2”

Schaefer’s Market • FULL SERVICE MEAT COUNTER Congrats! • CUSTOM BUTCHERING S treeters • PROCESSING AVAILABLE Owners: Chris & Lisa Lawinger 411 Sinclair Lewis Avenue • Sauk Centre, MN

320-352-6490

Cоgratulatiоs

State Champions!

What a great season, thanks for the memories!

STATE BANK

423 Main Street South • P.O. Box 266 Sauk Centre, MN 56378 320-352-5771 Member FDIC

www.firststatebanksc.com

Congratulations Streeter Volleyball Check out all of the volleyball pictures online!

Herald SSauk auk Centre

www.star-pub.com • 320.352.6577

Office Hours - 8 am to 5 pm Monday thru Friday

Page 8 | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2021 | SAUK CENTRE HERALD | VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONS

Making new moments

out of memories

Former Streeter supports team as spectator

BY EVAN MICHEALSON | STAFF WRITER

PHOTO BY MARK KLAPHAKE

Sauk Centre Coach Jim Klaphake stands with former player Kendra (Zenzen) Magur after the Streeters won their quarterfinal match over Greenway. Zenzen was one of many alumnae who watched the Streeters play at the state tournament. She played on the 2012 team that took third place.

day.”

Then came 2012, a year that made Sauk Centre volleyball history. There are a lot of similarities between that season and the 2021 championship year. Like this year’s Streeters, Sauk Centre only lost one match all year and only went to five sets once during the regular season. However, 2012 was a little different in the fact that Magur and the Streeters were undefeated entering state.

Sauk Centre won its quarterfinals match before running into a buzzsaw that was the Caledonia Warriors, who defeated the

Streeters in three sets in the semifinals.

Despite the difficult loss, Sauk Centre still ended the campaign the highest any Streeter team ever had with a 3-2 win over Belle Plaine. Magur totaled 12 kills and a .225 hitting percentage in the third-place match.

“I remember just being happy that we won, but we were also very emotional,” Magur said. “We got to end our careers as high school players on a win. Not a lot of people can say that, and it was a great time to finish out my time as a player.”

The moment,

Streeter Volleyball Alumni:

Morgan Gamradt

- Graduated in 2016 Participated in the state tournament: 2015, 2016

played varsity in 2018-19 under Jim Klaphake

Becca Weir - Graduated in 2016 played varsity 2013-15 under Jim Klaphake “I’m proud. The resiliency they showed after the first set to bounce back is unmatched.

Jim has had a lot of really good teams over the years, and this team deserves to bring home the gold.”

Played varsity in 2004-05 under Jim Klaphake “This is an amazing accomplishment for the team and for Jim who has run a great program for so many years.

It is very well deserved.”

“

played varsity in 2018-20 under Jim Klaphake

“I watched many volleyball games this year with my sister being on the team. I was so excited for the girls to go to state, and winning it all makes me even prouder. I had the opportunity to have these girls as teammates over the past couple seasons and I saw all the hard work they put in day in and day out. I know they worked hard for this and there is nobody else who deserved it more than them and the coaches. The coaches have put in so much time to get this program where it is today, and that doesn’t go unnoticed. Jim has built this program on work ethic and effort. Because of his hard work and effort, he got to bring home the first ever first-place trophy of the volleyball program.

Congratulations to all the girls and coaches. You have made us all very proud.”

Whitney Friedrichs “I have had the unique opportunity to play for Jim and coach with Jim. Both have been great experiences.

I have coached eighth grade volleyball for 10 years.

In that time, I have had the privilege to coach many talented athletes. It’s always rewarding to see how they progress and improve as they move up to play varsity.

This year’s team is a great example of hard work, dedication, perseverance and determination. They are the first team to bring home a state championship. I’m so proud of the team and honored to be a part of the Sauk Centre Volleyball program.

Kayla Douvier - Graduated in 2006

Hannah Lieser - Graduated in 2021

“I was beyond excited and proud of the girls for winning the state volleyball tournament. I could tell they worked extremely hard and it was a welldeserved win. Getting to watch my sister, Abbie Meyer, play on a court I once dreamed of playing on myself was incredible. I was so glad I got to be at the state tournament to cheer and watch those girls pull off the win of a lifetime.”

Graduated in 2008 played varsity in 2006-07 under Jim Klaphake

“

I graduated in 2016 when the Sauk Centre Girls’ Basketball Team received fourth place at the state tournament. I had the opportunity to play with some of the girls that were on this year’s SCGBB team. I could not imagine a group of girls and coaches more deserving than this year’s team to finally bring the title home to Sauk Centre.

Grace Meyer - Graduated in 2020

“

“

“

Played varsity for three years under Jim Klaphake

“When I saw Sauk Centre Volleyball win the state championship, I think it is safe to say my initial reaction was, ‘Finally.’ The program has been working toward a state title for quite some time and it was really nice to finally see that hard work pay off. My second thought was how proud I was of those girls; some I coached in JO volleyball. Knowing the passion and heart those girls play with makes them that much more deserving of the state title. Of course, I also thought about Jim. He has certainly put in the time to build the Sauk Centre volleyball program and has groomed respectable players. It’s a credit to him and any alumnae who not only set the tone for the program, but also set a good example for young girls to look up to. Overall, I think it was finally time the program was recognized for the hard work and dedication put in over the years.”

What was your reaction when you saw the Streeters win the state title?

“

“

Reece Ritter - Graduated in 2019

understandably, was difficult and complicated.

Magur had played with the same girls since elementary school, and she did not end up playing volleyball collegiately, so it was the last time those talented athletes shared the same court.

“You’re from a small town, you go to the same school, you spend your whole life playing together, whether it’s volleyball or basketball,” Magur said. “It was a bittersweet moment.

You get a win and it feels like a loss.”

After graduation, Magur attended Minnesota

Kristie Moritz - Graduated in 2006 played varsity in 2004-05 under Jim Klaphake “I was so happy to see Jim win a state title. He’s such a great coach and is so dedicated to this program.

He deserved this.”

“

“

first of which came in Magur’s sophomore campaign. That year, the Streeters took down one of the state’s strongest volleyball programs in the Marshall Tigers in the quarterfinals.

“I remember feeling underrated, underranked,” Magur said. “We were the underdogs. We gave it our all and I just remember feeling so excited about every single point.”

And while Sauk Centre did not hoist the trophy, that alluring feeling of competing under the bright lights made Magur want to come back. And come back, the Streeters did, and the team’s firstround matchup versus the Jordan Jaguars summed up exactly why Magur felt so much anticipation.

The Streeters gave the second-seeded Jaguars all they could handle, winning the first two sets in extra time, but Jordan won the final three sets by a combined nine points to move on.

“It was the longest game I’ve ever played,” Magur said. “It was an incredible game. We left all the sweat and blood out on the floor that

“

Kendra (Zenzen) Magur still remembers everything about the Xcel Energy Center and the Class AA state volleyball tournament.

She remembers the crowd noise, the nervousness and the internal desire to succeed as a Sauk Centre Streeters volleyball player.

And when she walked into the famous arena in downtown St. Paul to watch Sauk Centre’s quarterfinals bout with Greenway, she remembered the first time she stepped foot in the “X,” a moment she will never forget.

“Even just walking in, just remembering what it was like walking in 12 years ago, the first time being on that court, it brought back those memories,” Magur said.

M a g u r ’ s experiences at the state tournament are still vivid in her mind, mainly because it was not too long ago she herself was representing Sauk Centre for a shot at a championship, playing for the Streeters as a left side hitter from 2010-12. In all three of those seasons, Sauk Centre attended the state tournament, the

State University, Mankato, where she studied in the corrections program.

Following college, the Sauk Centre native moved to Rochester, where she worked as a deputy for Olmsted County.

Now, Magur lives in Madison Lake with her husband, Drew, working as a criminal court clerk for the State of Minnesota in Blue Earth County. While she has long left her high school endeavors behind, sports still play an important role in Magur’s life.

“He’s (Drew) a hockey guy and he just took on coaching here in the area as a goalie coach, so I’ll be supporting him in that,” Magur said. “We just both love sports, anything active.”

With this in mind, Magur kept tabs on the program that helped shaped who she was as an athlete and person. And when the Streeters advanced to state with a section championship win over Pequot Lakes Nov. 6, the former outside hitter made a decision to support her former team, and showed up to the Xcel Energy Center not as a competitor, but as a spectator.

“I don’t know many of the players on the team anymore, but I knew it was important to pay it forward as far as being a fan, having those people in the stands for you, cheering the girls on,” she said.

Kayla Berscheit - Graduated in 2005 played varsity in 2005 under Jim Klaphake

“It’s really an overwhelming feeling to watch these girls and Jim get the ultimate win. Jim has given so much to this program. I can’t think of anyone more deserving of that win.”

End-line excellence

VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONS | SAUK CENTRE HERALD | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2021 | Page 9

Sauk Centre volleyball served tough on way to championship

BY EVAN MICHEALSON | STAFF WRITER

Every day, toward the end of practice, the Sauk Centre Streeters volleyball team took time to focus on their serving.

After all, a longtime expectation for the program is their players serve tough, and the Streeters consistently sharpened their skills from behind the back line, hitting deep line drives.

It ended up paying historic dividends.

Behind this preparation, the Streeters locked up their first state championship, throwing the Jackson County Central Huskies off their strong hitting game by demonstrating their ability to serve tough.

“Most girls can pass if you serve it right at them, but if you can hit a seam and drive them deep and make them move a little bit, it can be very effective,” said Jim Klaphake, head coach. “The kids have to buy into that and they’ve got to put some time in to work on having a good serve.”

In the championship match, the Streeters committed two service errors compared to a whopping 10 on the side of Jackson County Central.

That discrepancy reflects Sauk Centre’s incredible serving acumen, as the Streeters displayed both accuracy and power with

PHOTO BY MARK KLAPHAKE

Senior Emma Kittelson hits a serve to Jackson County Central during their state championship match Nov. 13. Strong serving was a big part of the Streeters’ success this year.

their serves.

“I personally told myself that I trusted myself enough that this serve is going over, and to put a little on the ball in order to serve tough, but still serving with control,” said Maddie Nelson, libero.

Part of the reason for the Streeters’ success in this aspect of the game is its versatility. Abbie Meyer led the team with 60 services aces and Nelson followed close behind with 54, but they were not the only Sauk Centre servers to befuddle the opposing serve receive.

Cierra Kortan logged six aces in the state tournament to end the season with 46, while Ella Froseth, Lisa Weir and Emma Kittelson accumulated 36, 26 and 20 aces, respectively.

“There are many girls across the roster that can serve on any given night,” Meyer said. “One night, one girl could have three aces and another night, it could be someone else, so there is a lot of versatility.”

Sauk Centre offered a multifaceted approach not only in their selection of serves, but also the style of serve they unleashed on the opposition. Kortan and Weir delivered a powerful standing float serve, while Kittelson, Meyer, Froseth and Nelson had adapted and mastered a jump float serve.

Meyer and the girls credit Coach Klaphake’s three daughters – Jena, Jill and Megan – for helping them develop good habits from a serving standpoint.

“I think I can speak for the whole team and say that Jena, Jill and Megan Klaphake have helped us a ton with volleyball skills, especially when it comes to serving,” Meyer said.

“Whether it be at practice or in a game, they are always ready to give me pointers and confidence in my serve.”

And while teams could generally expect Sauk Centre serves to be line drives and often deep, where the Streeters chose to attack changed from match to match and even set to set.

Coach Klaphake often tried to expose weaknesses in a team’s serve receive to slow down their offense.

“From team to team, it’s always different,” he said.

“With JCC, when No. 10

PHOTO BY MARK KLAPHAKE

Senior Ella Froseth delivers a serve to Greenway during their match Nov. 11 at the Xcel Energy Center. Froseth finished the season with 36 aces.

was back in serve receive, we wanted to serve side-byside and at times, we wanted to serve away from her when she wasn’t back there. Those were some things where we had a walkthrough and we talked about it and worked on it.”

While these approaches and techniques were commonplace in the later stages of the season, it was not always easy to strike a balance between effectiveness and trickiness.

The Streeters made sure they had the basics down,

working on limiting overall serving errors and locating the ball, and eventually, serving tough became a trademark of the Class AA championship team.

“It’s hard to serve a high percentage and serve tough at the same time,” Coach Klaphake said.

“Traditionally, they do not go hand in hand. If you serve tough, you’re going to miss some serves. For this group to serve tough and serve a high percentage is just a credit to them and how much time they spent

working on it.”

And in the end, while it is not as flashy as eyepopping spikes or over-theshoulder sets, there may not have been a bigger reason for Sauk Centre’s championship campaign than their serving, an element of volleyball that the Streeters replicated to remarkable results.

“I think it was one of our main focal points of this team, because so many teams struggled with getting our serve up because of the work we put in,” Nelson said.

CONGRATULATIONS STREETERS! Your hard work & dedication paid off!

- Paul & Stephanie Fiedler 13209 100th Ave., Villard, MN • 320-352-3894

Congratulations,

Streeters!

CONGRATULATIONS! ELLA FROSETH & ENTIRE TEAM!

16

#

Mike & Jackie Froseth

43543 County Road 17, Sauk Centre

Sauk Centre SOUTH MAIN ST. Sauk Centre

320.352.0160 | Cell 320.260.7664 Residential | Farm | Commercial | Trenching | Bucket Truck Licensed, Bonded & Insured

Page 10 | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2021 | SAUK CENTRE HERALD | VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONS

Stepping Stones to a

Championship Class AA championship: The Streeters won their first state title in school history, defeating the Jackson County Central Huskies in the Class AA championship match Nov. 13. After losing the first set, Sauk Centre bounced back to the win the final three sets behind 11 kills each from Emma Kittelson and Jenna Gapinski-Vogt.

“That was the pinnacle,” Klaphake said. “There’s a lot of pressure on the kids and I told them in the locker room before the game, ‘You’ve gotten farther than any other SC team in volleyball. Let’s go enjoy it, play hard and try to be relaxed.’”

Class AA state semifinals: The Streeters clinched its highest finish as a program with a 3-0 statement win over the Hawley Nuggets in the Class AA semifinals Nov. 12. Sauk Centre, who previously defeated Hawley at the Perham Invite, broke 23-23 ties in sets one and three to persevere in an intense showdown. The Streeters compiled a .205 hitting percentage as a team compared to Hawley’s .113.

“They could make plays all over the place and we had to match that intensity in the semifinals,” Klaphake said. “We knew after they took out No. 2 (Cannon Falls) it was going to be a good match.”

Class AA quarterfinals: Sauk Centre, making its first state tournament appearance since 2021, advanced to the semifinals with a 3-1 victory over Greenway Nov. 11. After taking a two-set lead, the Streeters stumbled in set three before bouncing back in a dominant 15-point win in the fourth and final set.

“We just had to play the way we knew we could play, and if we controlled the ball, we would control the match,” Klaphake said.

Section 6AA championship: It is easy to forget after an impressive state tournament run, but the Streeters almost fell short of state altogether, as it took everything it had and more to defeat the Pequot Lakes Patriots in a 3-2 (25-22, 1725, 25-22, 20-25, 16-14) triumph Nov. 6. Tory Jennissen recorded back-to-back blocks in extra time to send Sauk Centre to the state tournament for the fourth time under head coach Klaphake.

“That got us ready for state, I tell you what,” Klaphake said.

“That was as good of a match as we were going to play in the last four and that was as tough of a match as we were going to play in the last four.”

Perham Invite: The Perham Invite is an annual chance for the Streeters to face premier competition, and this year was no different. The Streeters went 6-0 in an absolute bloodbath of a tournament Oct. 9, winning all 12 of the sets it played, including a quarterfinals win versus 23-win Staples-Motley and a championship victory over eventual state contender Haw-

Albany Tournament: After two weeks of practice, Sauk Centre jumped straight into its 2021 volleyball season with a tough test at Albany Aug. 27. It was here where the Streeters suffered its only loss of the season, a 2-1 stumble at the hands of Watertown-Mayer. However, Sauk Centre also found important victories versus New London-Spicer, Albany and Cathedral in the nine-team tournament, finishing first in the second pool.

“That was an important tournament,” Klaphake said. “We were just kind of figuring things out.”

BOLD matches: BOLD played its

LLICENSED • BONDED • INSURED

JOE WALKER

way to a 22-win season and a Section 2A semifinals appearance, and the Warriors heavily tested the Streeters in both of their West Central Conference matchups.

Sauk Centre defeated BOLD 3-0 Sept. 23 but won every set by five points or less, even with a 94.5% serving rate and six aces. Then, in the conference championship Oct. 19, BOLD stole a set from the Streeters before eventually falling 3-1.

“They were good matches and they put that foundation for the team of where everyone was playing and what we were all doing,” Klaphake said.

BBE comeback: Sauk Centre strolled

Lic. #61280-PM

Walker Plumbing

CONGRATULATIONS

P.O. Box 134 • Villard, MN 56385 HEATING & SEWER SERVICE 320.554.6601 • 320.766.0341

ley. Eight different Streeters logged a kill over the course of the action-packed day.

“There was some good competition there and it’s kind of a grind,” Klaphake said. “I joke with the girls, you leave in the morning and go up when it’s dark and you come back when it’s dark.”

Sauk Rapids-Rice Tournament: The Streeters had already played well in starting out the campaign with a 6-1 record, but it was at the Sauk Rapids-Rice Tournament Sept. 11 where the team showed its championship characteristics. Then unranked, Sauk Centre took down top-10 Class AAA program and state attendee Monticello in two sets, shut down Class AAA state attendee Sauk Rapids-Rice in two sets and defeated Class AAAA’s Brainerd in the tournament championship.

I really believe that was one of the moments (where it was like), ‘Oh my, we have a pretty dang good team here,’” Klaphake said.

through a majority of their schedule virtually untested, but it was a rivalry showdown with the BBE Jaguars that led to the Streeters’ only five-set match of the regular season Sept. 14. BBE jumped out to a 2-0 lead with 25-17 and 26-24 wins before the Streeters settled down and came back, taking the next three sets by scores of 25-19, 25-17 and 15-8, respectively, to keep its winning streak going.

“I thought toward the end of set two and certainly sets three, four and five, the girls came out and played well and just controlled play,” Klaphake said.

Melrose season series: The Street-

• COMPETITIVE RATES • EXCELLENT SERVICE • FLEXIBLE BILLING • STRONG COMPANIES Offices ALBANY • HOLDINGFORD • LONG PRAIRIE in: • MELROSE • PIERZ • SAUK CENTRE • ST. CLOUD

• Business • Auto • Home • Farm • Crop Hail • Life • Health 320-252-6650 • advantageoneins.com

DEPOT FEEDS, LLC.

Purina Dealer

State Champs!

Mark Quistorff, owner 109 Main Street South Great Sauk Centre, MN Year 320-352-6501 Ladies! depotfeeds@arvig.net

ers battled the Melrose Lady Dutchmen three different times during the season, and all of them posed a significant challenge for the Class AA champions. The Lady Dutchmen became the first West Central team to take a set from Sauk Centre in a 3-1 Streeters win Oct. 14 and fought admirably in the Section 6AA quarterfinals, taking a 12-5 advantage in set one before Sauk Centre stormed back to win.

“They’re well -coached, the kids all know each other and it’s a big rivalry game,” Klaphake said. “I think it was a wakeup call when we lost that one set.”

Great job, Congratulations!

General Contractors | Design/Build | Construction Management

Elrosa, MN 56325 | 320-697-5525

GOOD LUCK AT STATE!

WE CARRY BAG & BULK FEED

Congratulations

Streeter Girls!

VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONS | SAUK CENTRE HERALD | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2021 | Page 11

PHOTO BY MARK KLAPHAKE

The Sauk Centre student section (left) gets help from the Roseville student section (right) as the Streeters finish off Greenway in the state quarterfinals.

Fans United PHOTO BY MARK KLAPHAKE

The Sauk Centre student section sings the song, “Everywhere We Go,” during the state championship match against Jackson County Central. Their theme for the match was blackout.

PHOTO BY MARK KLAPHAKE

Becca Weir (middle) proudly holds a handmade sign supporting her sister, Lisa, during the state championship match.

DANWELLE.COM FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 19655

PHOTO BY MARK KLAPHAKE

Sauk Centre fans cheer on the Streeters during the state championship match Nov. 13 at the Xcel Energy Center. Many fans made the the trip to the cities to support the Streeters.

GREAT WORK STREETERS! Mid Minnesota Excavating, LLC

Ditching and Site Prep Basements • Additions • Sand • Class 5 Owner/Operator Joel Hinnenkamp

320-492-0214

LLC

! s n o i t a l u t a r Cong

Great Teamwork Girls!

Sauk Centre, MN

! s r e t e e r t S s Congrat - From Felling Trailers

Page 12 | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2021 | SAUK CENTRE HERALD | VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONS

A ‘banner’ year for Froseths

BY BRYAN ZOLLMAN | STAFF WRITER

Sauk Centre volleyball coach Jim Klaphake would sometimes tease his senior setter Ella Froseth about the 1982 state championship baseball banner hanging in the Sauk Centre gym.

“Ella, isn’t it kind of boring looking up at that 1982 banner all the time and having your dad give you crap about it?” he would say.

“Wouldn’t it be nice to have one of your own up there?”

Paul Froseth was a second baseman on the 1982 team and is reminded of that season every time he sees the banner in the gym.

And now, just like her dad, Ella Froseth is also a part of Sauk Centre athletic history after being part of the volleyball squad who took home the Class AA State Tournament Saturday in St. Paul.

For Paul, being on the sidelines watching his daughter achieve something he knows is so special and rare brings a proud smile to his face.

“I loved playing sports,” he said. “But nothing beats watching your kid excel in a sport.”

Paul and Paula have been very supportive of their only child, much like Paul’s parents were when he was an athlete in Sauk Centre in the 70s and early 80s.

“These past years Paula and I were doing what my parents did when I grew up,” he said. “They supported me through my sports and we have supported Ella through all of hers.”

Having been there and done that in 1982, Paul offered some valuable advice to Ella, who was a senior captain and one of the leaders on the team.

“I told her you have to take it one game at a time,” Paul said. “Don’t look too far ahead. Just be with your teammates and have fun.”

Paul remembers those days back in the spring of 1982. After finishing third at the state tournament in 1981, the Mainstreeters took home the state title the following year. Those memories still resonate with Paul, who still has artifacts from the 1982 season.

“A couple years ago he showed me all of his state baseball stuff, his medal, and everything,” Ella said.

“I was like. Oh man, that would be so fun.”

Ella said her parents have played a huge role in not just her success as a three-sport athlete, but also making it a fun and enjoyable experience.

“Dad always tells me I have to work hard, that nothing is going to come easy,” she said. “You have to work hard for what you get.”

Paul and Ella may be the only ones with state medals in the house, but there is another champion in the household.

“My mom has done everything for me,” said Ella.

“From spaghetti suppers to decorating the team bus and locker room, making sure I have Subway and that my water is cold…she has always been there.”

Paul said every time he walks into the Sauk Centre gym and sees the 1982 banner, he is reminded of that special spring 40 years ago.

“It’s just something you never forget,” he said.

Ella said the reality of the state championship is starting to sink in. When she returned home Saturday she PHOTO BY SUBMITTED sat on the couch and cried.

Paul Froseth (from left), Ella Froseth and Paula Froseth greet each other following the Class AA state championship match Nov. They were tears of happi- 13 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Ella was the team’s starting setter during the state tournament, helping Sauk Centre earn its ness and sadness. So much first volleyball championship. hard work, dedication and resiliency had paid off. And it was her senior season. She had played her last volleyball game.

"It's hard as a senior," said Paul. "She said I will never play volleyball on that court again."

But she and her teammates and coaches, just like Paul and his teammates and coaches from 1982, will always have a presence in that gym. They both are forever a part of Sauk Centre athletic history.

When a banner is hung commemorating this year's championship season, dad and daughter will be side by side, just like they’ve always been.

“I have always looked up to him so much,” said Ella. “Now that we both have one is amazing. It's something I will never forget.”

PHOTO BY EVAN MICHEALSON

Ella Froseth hits an accurate set Nov. 11 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. The Streeters defeated Greenway, Hawley and Jackson County Central on their way to a state title.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Ella Froseth hugs her father, Paul Froseth, after winning the Class AA state championship Nov. 13 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Paul was a member of the 1982 state champion baseball team and watched his daughter accomplish an equally-impressive feat for the Streeter volleyball team.

Congratulations STATE CHAMPS!

ALL YOUR HARD WORK HAS PAID OFF!

CONGRATULATIONS STATE CHAMPIONS We’re proud of your accomplishment!

LUMBER CO.

520 12th Street South • Sauk Centre, MN www.mn-bank.bank Member FDIC

SAUK CENTRE 320-352-5211

320-352-2255 | SteinerLumberCompany.com

VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONS | SAUK CENTRE HERALD | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2021 | Page 13

All Tournament Team

Season scores on sensational 33-1 season Aug. 27 Albany Tournament Sauk Centre def. New London-Spicer 25-15, 25-22 (1-0) Sauk Centre lost to Watertown-Mayer 14-25, 25-22, 11-15 (1-1) Sauk Centre def. Albany 20-25, 25-14, 15-13 (2-1) Sauk Centre def. St. Cloud Cathedral 25-18, 25-12 (3-1) Sept. 2 (away) Sauk Centre def. Morris 25-19, 25-18, 25-19 (4-1) Sept. 7 (away) Sauk Centre def. Montevideo 25-19, 25-22, 25-11 (5-1) Sept. 9 (home) Sauk Centre def. Minnewaska 25-13, 25-16, 25-8 (6-1) Sept. 11 Sauk Rapids Tournament Sauk Centre def. Holdingford 25-14, 25-17 (7-1) Sauk Centre def. Monticello 25-20, 25-21 (8-1) Sauk Centre def. Sauk Rapids 25-19, 25-11 (9-1) Sauk Centre def. Brainerd 25-13, 25-16 (10-1) Sept. 14 (home) Sauk Centre def. BBE 17-25, 24-26, 25-19, 25-17, 15-8 (11-1)

PHOTO SUBMITTED

The Class AA All-Tournament teams consists of Mounds Park Academy’s Kaija Kunze-Hoeg (front, from left), Hawley’s Faith Rustad, Hawley’s Alex Eilertson and Southwest Christian’s Estelle Haugen; (back, from left) Sauk Centre’s Cierra Kortan, Sauk Centre’s Emma Kittelson, Mounds Park Academy’s Lola Pilon, Jackson County Central’s Sadie Voss and Jackson County Central’s Maci Farmer. In a tournament full of talented players, the Sauk Centre Streeters emerged as the Class AA champions.

Sept. 16 (home) Sauk Centre def. Benson 25-6, 25-16, 25-10 (12-1) Sept. 21 (away) Sauk Centre def. Melrose 25-13, 25-15, 25-9 (13-1) Sept. 23 (away) Sauk Centre def. BOLD 25-21, 25-21, 25-20 (14-1) Sept. 28 (home) Sauk Centre def. Morris 25-15, 25-20, 25-15 (15-1) Sept. 30 (home) Sauk Centre def. Montevideo 25-11, 25-12, 25-11 (16-1) Oct. 5 (away) Sauk Centre def. Minnewaska 25-13, 25-18, 25-10 (17-1) Oct. 9 Perham Tournament Sauk Centre def. Park Rapids 25-8, 25-16 (18-1) Sauk Centre def. Roseau 25-18, 25-14 (19-1) Sauk Centre def. Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton 30-28, 25-13 (20-1) Sauk Centre def. Staples 25-10, 25-16 (21-1) Sauk Centre def. Henning 25-23, 25-19 (22-1) Sauk Centre def. Hawley 25-18, 25-19 (23-1) Oct. 12 (away) Sauk Centre def. Benson 25-15, 25-14, 25-6 (24-1) Oct. 14 (home) Sauk Centre def. Melrose 15-25, 25-17, 25-18, 25-22 (25-1)

PHOTO BY EVAN MICHAELSON

Oct. 18 (home) Sauk Centre def. Pequot Lakes 25-19, 25-22, 25-18 (26-1)

(Above) Lisa Weir (from left) Maddie Nelson, Cierra Kortan, Emma Kittelson and Ella Froseth celebrate a point during Sauk Centre’s win over Jackson County Central.

Oct. 19 (home) Sauk Centre def. BOLD 25-15, 25-19, 25-27, 27-25 (27-1) Playoffs (sections) Sauk Centre def. Melrose 25-20, 25-17, 25-16 (home) (28-1) Sauk Centre def. St. Cloud Cathedral 25-14, 25-21, 25-19 (St. Cloud Tech High School) (29-1) Sauk Centre def. Pequot Lakes 25-22, 17-25, 25-22, 20-25, 16-14 (St. Cloud Tech High School) (30-1) State tournament in St. Paul, Minn. (quarterfinals) Sauk Centre def. Greenway 25-18, 25-19, 19-25, 25-10 (31-1)a (semifinals) Sauk Centre def. Hawley 25-23, 25-15, 25-23 (32-1) (championship) Sauk Centre def. Jackson County Central 13-25, 25-21, 25-17, 25-19 (33-1)

PHOTO BY EVAN MICHAELSON

(Left) Head Coach Jim Klaphake is congratulated by Erich Martens from the Minnesota State High School League after Sauk Centre won the Class AA title.

Great job, Streeters!

Aaron Lahr Construction Inc. New Homes • Housing Additions • Re-Roofing All Types of Concrete • ICF Basements Ag Buildings • Siding • Decks Cell: 320-293-9087 | Home: 320-352-3390 38354 US Hwy. 71 S., Sauk Centre, MN | Lic. #BC630398

To buy these photos and view more scan this code with your smartphone camera.

SIGN Design Sauk Centre, MN (320) 352-6577

Decals • Signs • Magnets & More

320-352-6577

PHOTO BY EVAN MICHAELSON

Lisa Weir hugs Cierra Kortan after the Streeters won the Class AA state tournament Nov. 13 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

Located in the Sauk Centre Herald Office 522 Sinclair Lewis Avenue, Sauk Centre, MN 56378

Logan Thomas, Designer & Sign Creator

Congrats on your

State Title!

from all of us at

! k r o w m a great te E

TIONS ON TH CONGRATULA

800 Beltline Road | Sauk Centre

877-751-9663 320-351-7533 • wintersrec.com • 39204 County Road 186, Sauk Centre, MN 56378

Stop & See our Selection Center

Page 14 | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2021 | SAUK CENTRE HERALD | VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONS

PHOTO BY MARK KLAPHAKE

Assistant coach Jill Klaphake (left) and head coach Jim Klaphake (right) gather with the seven seniors, Emma Kittelson (second, from left), Brenna Bick, Abbie Meyer, Ella Froseth, Lisa Weir, Alyssa Schwinghamer and Maddie Nelson after the state championship press conference Nov. 13 at the Xcel Energy Center.

Congratulations, Good luck State Champions!

Streeters!

320-352-8558

in the state S auk Centre, MN | COMPASSINSUR ANCEMN.COM tournament!

Jan Minette

Eric Beuning

Great Season - Congrats on your State Win! Charlie Walker Ceramic Tile Realty Specialty 320-352-6392

320-290-6051

Steve Kluver, Owner & Tile Contractor Showroom located at

507 Main Street, Sauk Centre, MN

saukcentrerealestate.net cwrealty@mainstreetcom.com

507 South Main Street Sauk Centre, MN

Suss Kluver 320-250-6392 Tracy Barhorst 320-352-5306

saukcentrerealestate.com

CONGRATULATIONS, STATE CHAMPIONS!

Bring your Classic Car to Classic Auto Today!

Remote Control Engine g Starters 3 years / 100,000 Miles Parts & Labor’ Nationwide Warranty!

HOURS:

Monday-Friday 8 am - 5 pm • Saturdays by Appointment Only

Classic Auto Service ~ASE CERTIFIED TECHNICIANS ~

313 Pine Street, Sauk Centre - 320-352-5650

www.classicautoservice.net PHOTO BY MARK KLAPHAKE

Econ-O

(Above) Abbie Meyer (left) sets up Tory Jennissen during an offensive sequence Nov. 11 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Meyer logged 376 set assists during the 2021 season.

(Right) Lisa Weir prepares to dig Nov. 11 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Weir logged seven digs in the Class AA championship match.

Great Job!

Wash

Laundromat Washers & Dryers Capable of Washing All Your Bigger Loads!

Big enough for your king size comforters, rugs, sleeping bags, etc.

Main Street next to Studio 71 in Sauk Centre • 20 5th Ave. SE in Melrose

Congratulations Volleyball

Team!

517 Sinclair Lewis Ave. Sauk Centre, MN 320-351-9951

CONGRATULATIONS!

PHOTO BY MARK KLAPHAKE

SAUK CENTRE, MN

PIERZ, MN

320-352-6543 • Hwy. 71 South 320-468-2161 • Hwy. 27 West Store Hours: Monday-Friday 8-5, Saturday Seasonal

www.modernfarmequipment.com Center Pivot Irrigation

A

Tillage Products

C AB E L

(Above) Maddie Nelson readies herself to serve receive during the Class AA championship match Nov. 11 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Nelson logged a team-best 19 digs, helping the Streeters win in four sets.

Dr. Scott A. Abel, DC Dr. Sarah M. Abel, DC, LAC

PHOTO BY MARK KLAPHAKE

(Above right) Tory Jennissen hits the ball past a pair of Greenway blocks Nov. 11 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

Jennissen led Sauk Centre with 13 kills as the Streeters defeated the Raiders in four sets in the Class AA quarterfinals.

PHOTO BY EVAN MICHEALSON

(Left) Cierra Kortan leaps into the air to hit a set over the net Nov. 11 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Kortan, alongside Emma Kittelson, was named to the Class AA All-Tournament team.

CHIROPRACTIC

CONGRATS girls!

320.352.1201 • abelchiro.com 710 Main Street South • Sauk Centre, MN

Great job Streeters!

ARROW WSMITH H & SILVERCRES ST

APART TMENTS S of Sauk Centre, Minnesota

404-406-412 10S St S 404-406-412 • 10th•St 320-493-6343 th

320-493-6343 320-493-6343

404 10th St. S. | 406 10th St. S. | 412 10th St. S

Computerized Vinyl Graphic & Hand Lettering g

Great Job Streeters!

Pinstriping Customizing Personalizing Signs for your next car show

Bill Gillies, Owner • 320-352-5734

PHOTO BY MARK KLAPHAKE

PHOTO BY MARK KLAPHAKE

Alyssa Schwinghamer (left) skies over the net to record a hit Nov. 13 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul as Cierra Kortan looks on.

Schwinghamer was one of seven seniors to hoist the Class AA championship trophy in a spectacular conclusion to their high school careers.

Ella Froseth (from left), Tory Jennissen and Jenna GapinskiVogt raise their arms high after Sauk Centre received a point Nov. 13 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. The Streeters did a lot of celebrating on this day, as they defeated the Jackson County Central Huskies to win the Class AA championship.