Vikings rack up two conference wins

By Danielle Strenke
The Vikings volleyball squad made quick work of Zimmerman and then went on to down Mora in two Rum River Conference contests last week.
North Branch hosted Zimmerman Sept. 16, and dominated each of the three games from the beginning, leading by as many as 12 points.
Zimmerman proved to be no match for the strong serving from the Vikes, as North Branch tallied several ace serves. Katie Paulson led the team in serving aces with 11 on the night.
The Vikings won the match 25-9, 25-11 and 25-15.
Mora shared the Rum River Conference title with North Branch last year, and proved Sept. 18 that this yearís team is also vying for the title.
ìMore is very well coached and we knew it would be a battle,î Head Coach Jim VanEerden said.
VanEerden used his teamís height to full advantage during the match. ìWe made a goal to pass and cover the court as well as Mora does, because we figured we had an advantage at the net,î he said.
The strategy worked, as North Branch won the first two games 25-19, 25-15. Mora took the third game 25-23, forcing the match into a fourth game. The Vikes came out on the winning end of a 25-20 game.
VanEerden has seen tremendous individual and team improvement so far this season.
ìI really like the progress of our back row passers, Paulson and Kelsey Vichorek,î he said.
Kaity Vichorek led the team with 8 kills, followed by Rachel Brown with 6. Senior setter Abby Fairbanks had 21 assists at the net.
The team had a week break before facing Big Lake Sept. 25 and taking part in the Duluth East Invitational Sept. 27. The squad returns home Sept. 30 for a conference game against Milaca.

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