Mavericks fight off Fairmont to secure sweeping victory
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TRIMONT - Kari Brolsma wanted Martin County West (14-1) to be challenged. A handful of difficult opponents, such as Nicollett and Cleveland, loom on the horizon before the Mavericks’ ensuing run through this year's Section 2A Volleyball Tournament.
Brolsma's wish for another test came true on Thursday night. The visiting Fairmont Cardinals (6-11) did everything they could to force a fourth set. After dropping the first two by scores of 25-18 and 25-16, head coach Stacy Garbers had her team playing their best volleyball when adversity peaked.
Harlee Fastnacht's booming block from the right side brought Fairmont to a set-deciding 24-22 lead. One more point would have ended a set that the Cardinals controlled from the jump.
But it wasn't that easy. Brynlee Haukoos' equalizing spike quickly followed a softer tap over from Jaylee Hanson. Bailey Larson capped her impressive front-row performance with consecutive kills and a match-sealing block at the net, guiding Martin County West to a 27-25 set win that secured its 14th victory of the season.
"It's just the experience on our team. They've been playing together for so long and love playing this game. There is a grit to them to never give up," Brolsma said. "We needed matches like this. They need to know what that feels like as we get closer to playoffs."
Fairmont's front defense did a sound job of limiting Martin County West's power hitting to start. Jadyn Montgomery notched two blocks over the middle, and a pair of aces forced Brolsma to call an early timeout, her team down 8-4.
Strong spikes from Giana Chase and Larson helped break the line. It helped the Mavericks rattle off seven straight points. While spikes from Annaliese Rahm and Kaylee Kloeckner tied things at 11, the Martin County West front row pushed a 21-14 lead. Haukoos ended things after a cross-court spike.
Martin County West's spiking power continued its strong showing in set two. Olson, Larson and Maddie Carlson ripped three straight points to give the Mavericks a 14-6 cushion, their biggest lead yet.
Fairmont inched it within six points moments later. A pair of nice kills from Adylen Laven and Montgomery took it to 21-15. The Cardinals miscued with an out-of-bounds hit the next play. Kills from Olson and Carlson capitalized on the error, while another net shot from Fairmont ended the set for good.
The Cardinals’ continued adjustments helped them get off to a hot start in set three. Fastnacht's early block was a telltale sign of what was to come. Fairmont's defense got into a comfortable rhythm with its jumps at the net, limiting Martin County West hits from the front line.
This helped the Cardinals force Brolsma to call her second timeout of the evening after seeing her team fall to a 5-1 deficit.
"You have to give credit to Fairmont," Brolsma said. "They started getting our timing down when we were hitting, and they were putting up some pretty big blocks at the end of that second and into the third set."
Every punch the Mavericks threw to come back, Fairmont always responded. Whether it was Laven from the outside or Montgomery over the middle, the Cardinals always seemed to pull away when the set tightened.
Brolsma's team has swept their opponent in all but two contests this season. Martin County West will next compete in the Estherville Lincoln Central Volleyball Tournament this Saturday. They are set to take on Emmetsburg, Harris-Lake Park and Estherville Lincoln Central.
Fairmont will face Jackson County Central next Tuesday. The Cardinals will conclude the regular season against Luverne and Granada Huntley East Chain/Truman/Martin Luther on October 13 and 20.
Thursday's match was also the 17th annual Cancer Night. The president of MCW Ribbons, Judy Traetow, and a handful of other parents started this tradition back in 2010. It had raised $125,000 before the evening.
All funds raised through the bake sale, silent auction, volleyball serving competition, T-shirt purchases and donations would transfer directly to Martin County West families finished with, or currently fighting through, cancer treatment.