Hams leads Hibbing with 28 set assists, eight digs
Hibbing’s experience in big games proved to be decisive Wednesday in a 3-0 win over the Voyageurs at Rainy River Community College.
In front of a boisterous crowd that tried to “black out” the gymnasium — by sporting black clothing — the Cardinals came up big down the stretch of each set, winning 25-19, 26-24, 25-19.
Not even a chalk outline of a body on the sidewalk at the college that read “Hibbing volleyball, R.I.P., 9/16/09,” flustered the veteran Cardinals, who have six returning sophomores from a team that finished third at nationals last year.
“That kind of gave us some motivation,” Hibbing’s Kelly Hams said about the chalk outline. Hams graduated from Littlefork-Big Falls in 2008 and is one of the six sophomores.
“Our experience did take a toll and we didn’t do anything fancy,” she added. “ ... We made sure to connect on their mistakes.”
And when they did connect, it was usually Breanna Chamernick or Samantha Lindfors. Chamernick, an All-American libero last year who led the nation in digs, finished with a match-high 14 kills and 17 digs. Lindfors, an All-National Tournament Team selection last year, had 11 kills. Hams, no slouch herself last season by making the All-Conference, All-State and All-Region teams, dished out 28 set assists and posted eight digs. Kelsey Wirtanen added eight kills and Andrea Miller had 12 digs for the Cardinals.
“They’re good. They just keep coming at you,” RRCC head coach Mel Millerbernd said.
RRCC’s statistics were considerably lower — Brittany Finnson had a team-high seven kills and 11 digs, Samantha Alberts had six kills and Danika Stelton had 15 set assists and 10 digs — but the Voyageurs hung around each set and competed well. Baylea Wendt added 13 digs and Cally Tinkess had 11 digs.
They just never had an answer down the stretch.
“I thought we were right there,” Millerbernd said. “I wish it would’ve gone more than three games.”
In Set 1, the teams jostling for first place in the Northern Division were tied 13-13 before Kasey Palmer served nine straight points. It was the first sign up poor play down the stretch for the Voyageurs.
Set 2 was tied five different times, including at 24-24, but Alberts sent the next serve into the net and the Voyageurs failed to return the following serve.
Set 3 almost mirrored Set 1, but instead of being 13-13, it was 10-10. Hibbing scored seven out of the next eight points and never relinquished the lead, loud home crowd or not.
“We just gave them so much confidence and made it tough on ourselves,” Millerbernd said.
Hibbing, ranked sixth in the nation in Division III of the NJCAA, moves to 10-4 overall and to 3-1 in the Northern Division. RRCC, who plays at home again today against Vermilion, falls to 9-4 and 3-1.
