Goetz wins Jacks Volleyball MVP

I first started at the Bemidji (Minn.) Pioneer as an intern in the summer of 1996. That would begin six years as a news reporter, sports reporter and copy editor for a small, six-day-per-week daily newspaper in northern Minnesota. I wrote a large range of stories from multiple beats, to features to sports, my favorite being the coverage of the Red Lake Reservation High School basketball team named the Warriors. Here is a collection of my stories from my time at the Pioneer.

Nov. 19, 1998

By Devlyn Brooks

The Lumberjacks volleyball team wrapped up its second-best season on record Tuesday evening with their annual banquet.

Bemidji finished with a 15-10 record this fall, while taking first place in the Crosby-Ironton and Thief River Falls tournaments.

Their season ended when they lost in straight sets to Detroit Lakes in the opening round of postseason play.

Fifth-year coach Joan McKinnon called the season "wonderful" at the banquet, and thanked many for their support throughout the fall.

Junior setter Jenny Frisk had a breakout year for the Jacks, earning herself the team's Most Improved Player Award and coach McKinnon's Coach's Award for hustle and attitude.

Frisk converted 121-of-137 hitting with 41 kills, while compiling a 90 percent passing percentage and an 87 percent service percentage.

The team voted outside hitter Kendra Goetz the Most Valuable Player for her 97 percent (232-of-238) serving, 339-of-397 hitting, 139 kills and 91 percent passing.

Next year's squad will be led by Tara Sande, Lindsay Sand and Frisk, who earned the captains roles.

"B" Team

Coach Bruce Manske's "B" Team finished the season 17-7 with second-place finishes at the Grand Rapids and Thief River Falls tournaments, and a fifth-place finish at Moorhead's tourney.

Manske said his team focused on many team concepts, such as the 5-1 offense, four-person serve receive and double blocking this year to prepare players for the varsity level.

Earning awards for the "B" Team were: junior Lindsay Hovland (Golden Passing Award); sophomore Amanda Reierson (Golden Setter Award); sophomore Megan Sweeney (Golden Spiking Award); junior Erica Hambrecht (Golden Serving Award and Ms. Hustle Award); freshman Allison Wilimek (Ms. Spirit Award); and sophomore Allison Davis (Most Improved).

"C-1" Team

C-1 coach Julie Bordwell characterized her team as "unselfish" throughout their entire 19-0-1 season.

Awards were given to: Sarah Nielson (Golden Passer); Lyndsay Johnson (Golden Setting); Gina Strong (Golden Hitting); Kristin Nordick (Golden Serving); Chelsea Crotty (Ms. Spirit); and Lindsey Gregg (Ms. Hustle).

"C-2" Team

Although they had significantly fewer matches than C-1, the C-2 team still posted a winning 4-3 record in 1998 under coach Laurie Hildenbrand.

Thirteen girls rounded out the C-2 squad, and Hildenbrand said you could see the vast improvement in all skills from the beginning of the season to the end.

Earning letters for the 1998 Lumberjack volleyball team were:

• Seniors: Erin Winkka, Heidi Hardwig, Megan Benson, Kendra Goetz and Tara Krohn

• Juniors: Rena Ellis, Jenny Frisk, Lindsay Sand and Tara Sande

• Sophomores: Alyssa Rasmus

• Managers: Emily Sauer and Sarah Crotteau