Volleyball: Gravelle notches 1,000th assist in a milestone-heavy night for Wadena-Deer Creek

In August 2022 I was appointed the publisher of a group of three community newspapers, collectively known in Forum Communications Co. as the "Lakes Group." I hadn't been a full-time publisher in a number of years, but I saw an opportunity to return to working in the community newspaper space. And while the gig only lasted 10 months before an eventual company restructuring, it was one of the most rewarding professional stints I've ever had. Hats off the the staffs at the Detroit Lakes Tribune, Perham Focus and Wadena Pioneer Journal for welcoming this old newspaper hack for a great run!

Sept. 23, 2002

By Devlyn Brooks

BERTHA, Minn. – The Wadena-Deer Creek volleyball team coasted to its sixth consecutive victory, and eighth overall on the season, Thursday night, beating Bertha-Hewitt in straight sets 25-9, 25-11, 25-18.

The Wolverines improved to 8-3 on the season on a night that featured important career milestones for both sophomore setter Addyson Gravelle and head coach Sue Volkmann. Gravelle notched her 1,000th setting assist on a night where she tallied 34 assists and three digs.

Meanwhile, with the win, Volkmann reached 600 career wins as a volleyball coach at first Deer Creek, and subsequently at the merged schools of Wadena-Deer Creek. She joins only 12 other high school volleyball coaches in Minnesota history with that many wins.

The Bears never seriously challenged Wadena-Deer Creek in the match, although a late surge kept the third set close. The Park Region Conference foe pushed the Wolverines to a 15-15 tie, but Wadena-Deer Creek went on 10-3 scoring run in to close out the match and bring on the celebration for Volkmann.

The Wolverines senior hitting pair of Madison Carsten and Emily Lepinski gave the Bears fits all night, who didn’t seem to have an answer for their brutal hitting attack. Carsten tallied 16 kills, and Lepinksi added another eight.

Wadena-Deer Creek also scored seven serving aces as a team in a dominating performance.

Gravelle’s 1,000th assist fittingly came late in the first set when she dished a perfect set to Carsten, who hammered home one of her monster kills. After the team celebrated the big play, Gravelle headed to the back line to prepare to serve the next point.

That’s when one of her teammates on the Wolverines bench surprised her by getting her attention on the court and holding up a sign announcing that it was Gravelle’s 1,000th career assist. Gravelle, who stood holding the volleyball, looked confused at the interruption in the game before eventually understanding the moment. That’s when she broke out in an ear-to-ear grin.

Volkmann called a timeout, giving Gravelle and the team a chance to enjoy the moment. As Gravelle walked off the court, her teammates mobbed her with smiles, hugs and high fives. She then posed for photos with the 1,000th assist sign and all of her teammates.

Gravelle has been setting for the Wolverines since she was in eighth grade. Already, as a sophomore, hit a milestone that most players never reach in a career. And that includes one shortened season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Volkmann said after the game she was excited for the setter who continuously works so hard to improve.

For her part, it seemed that the size of the moment still hadn’t quite set in for Gravelle.

“I honestly didn’t know that I was that close to 1,000,” she said. “I thought I had a ways to go. I’m just stunned that I got 1,000 (assists).”

Gravelle said that the team was motivated to lock down a win for Volkmann, and she was all smiles thinking about the fact their big nights happened together.

“We really wanted this for her 600th,” she said.

Gravelle said the most memorable part of the night was getting to enjoy the milestone while playing with her younger sister, Payton Gravelle, an eighth-grader who plays middle hitter. She also had a memorable night with four kills, three digs, a serving ace and a block.

“I really can’t explain how I am feeling after tonight,” Gravelle said.