FINGERTIP CONTROL — Martin Luther/Granada-Huntley-East Chain/Truman’s Madisen Lewis (5) rises above the net for a tip shot as Madelia’s Ashlynn Sweet (11) and Corban Tatro (22) watch the flight of the volleyball during Valley Conference action Tuesday night in Northrop. The Jaguars’ Ashley Singleton (back left) and Brianna Petrowiak (15) watch the action. (Photo by Greg Abel)

NORTHROP — Ashley Sorenson appears on the Madelia volleyball program as a setter, but the senior floor general does more than distribute assists. A lot more.

Sorenson proved a triple threat, doling out a match-best 24 set assists, drilled seven timely kills and recorded three ace blocks to power the Blackhawks to a 25-18, 25-20, 25-18 sweep over the Martin Luther/Granada-Huntley-East Chain/Truman Jaguars during Valley Conference action Tuesday night in Northrop.

Ashlynn Sweet delivered nine kills and three ace blocks, Corban Tatro supplied six kills and three rejections, while Katherine DeVlaeminck added four kills and four blocks to Madelia’s defensive-oriented three-game victory.

“After scouting them, we knew we had to stop (Londyn) Bowers and (Madisen) Lewis up front, so we really worked on setting our blocks in practice in preparation for tonight’s match,” said Madelia head coach Melodie DeVlaeminck.

Melodie DeVlaeminck’s homework paid dividends, but it oddly took until the Blackhawks’ fourth server — Alexis Jacques — to erase an early 6-2 deficit to the Jaguars.

Brianna Petrowiak delivered three service aces to build a quick 7-1 lead for the Jaguars before a clerical error on the home team’s lineup card reversed a point and halted the purple-and-white’s early momentum.

An errant Jaguars’ serve with the home team ahead 8-7 returned serve to Alexis Jacques and the senior defensive specialist reeled off four consecutive points, with Sorenson dropping home a pivotal ace tip for an 11-8 Blackhawks’ lead.

Katherine DeVlaeminck and Tatro matched net firepower with Brianna Petrowiak and twin sister Bethany Petrowiak to 21-18, but a net violation by the Jaguars placed the volleyball in Madelia libero Jada Taylor’s capable hands.

Taylor served out the final three points of Madelia’s 25-18 Game 1 victory, with Tatro belting two kills and Sweet collecting the final point — all off of Sorenson set assists.

Neither lineup could pull away on the scoreboard during Game 2 before Tatro and Sorenson reversed roles for a critical sideout for the Blackhawks. Tatro flipped a set to Sorenson for a sizzling cross-court kill to rotate Tatro to the end line at 16-13.

Tatro reeled off seven straight points to swing the momentum in Madelia’s direction for good at 23-13. Sweet buried a pair of slide kills off assists from Sorenson to trigger the run.

Madisen Lewis produced one of her team-best four solo blocks and teammate Lilah Hubbard chipped in a net-hugging tip to inch within seven of the Blackhawks at 23-16.

Despite Lewis’ next block and her ensuing three-point service run pulling the Jaguars within 24-20 in the middle game, Sorenson once again fired a two-handed push shot to the left corner for a point-winner to cap the 25-20 win.

Londyn Bowers warmed up her wrist-rocket spikes off assists from Keira Benck to keep the Jaguars within striking distance of the Blackhawks in Game 3, but Sorenson and Sweet would counter effectively.

Bowers cranked four of her team-best six kills during the final contest, but Tatro and Sweet cashed in one Sorenson assist after another to put Game 3 in the books.

Taylor, like in the opener, served out the final three points for the Blackhawks. Sorenson set up Tatro for the cross-court kill before Sweet converted back-to-back quick sets for a tip and slide kill.

Benck doled out five set assists for the Jaguars, Lindsey Diegnau tossed out four, while Brianna Petrowiak, Bethany Petrowiak and Lewis delivered three kills each.

Madelia (12-13) wraps up its regular season by playing host to Edgerton next Tuesday night in a nonconference match.

The Jaguars (7-18) travel to Mountain Lake to play Mountain Lake Area/Comfrey on Thursday night.

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Blue Earth Area 3, St. James Area 0 — Hailey Becker smacked six kills, distributed 16 set assists, made nine digs and scored seven points on 11-for-13 serving to top the Bucs’ 25-20, 25-21, 25-18 sweep over the Saints during Big South Conference action Tuesday night in Blue Earth.

Katherine Armon belted a team-leading 10 kills to complement five digs and 6-for-6 serving for three points for BEA, while Berkley Hagedorn scored a team-best 12 points on 15-for-15 serving to go with nine digs.

Autumn Gordon belted seven kills and recorded three ace blocks for the Bucs, while Taylor Klabunde topped the defense with 17 digs and generated 10 points on 15-for-15 serving.

Madison Ehrich also scored 10 points on 13 of 14 serving, doled out 11 set assists and made five digs for BEA, while Kylee Eckmann chipped in six kills.

Blue Earth Area (6-13) plays host to Martin County West on Thursday night.