Hermantown improved to 19-4 overall with an impressive 3-0 Class 3A, Section 7 quarterfinal high school volleyball victory over visiting Duluth Denfeld on Wednesday evening.
The Hawks raced 25-15, 25-12 and 25-16 straight sets victories, with Claire Kaups recording 11 kills and 18 digs, and Mikayla Sweeney and Ella Schulz combining for 29 assists.
Hermantown also defeated the Hunters 3-0 in a regular season match, in Hermantown.
“I thought we played how we needed to, to get the win and now we are practicing hard for Monday's game,” said Hawks head coach Jessica Williams.
Second-seeded Hermantown will host No. 3 Princeton (23-4) in a semifinal match Monday at 6 p.m. The teams did not meet during the regular season.
“We couldn't be more excited,” Williams said of facing the powerful Tigers. “We're obviously wanting to get to Thursday night’s game, but our strategy this season is to focus more on the next game and take care of business there first.”
Class 3A, Section 7 Quarterfinal Results (Wednesday)
No. 2 Hermantown 3, No. 7 Duluth Denfeld 0
No. 3 Princeton 3, No. 6 Cloquet 1
Semifinals, Monday 6 p.m.
No. 4 Grand Rapids (17-9-1) at No. 1 North Branch (22-5). Note: Grand Rapids defeated host North Branch 3-0 on August 27, in their only meeting in the regular season.
No. 3 Princeton (23-4) at No. 2 Hermantown (19-4-3)
Championship, Thursday, Oct. 31 (neutral site, TBA), 6 p.m.
TAKE A BOW
All-Lake Superior Conference Girls Tennis Team (Singles)
Campbell Amundson, Hermantown senior
All-Lake Superior Conference Boys Cross Country Team
Cooper Lucarelli, Hermantown sophomore (Second Team)
All-Lake Superior Conference Girls Cross Country Team
Ferrah LaLone, Hermantown sophomore (First Team)
Zoey Lucarelli, Hermantown 7th-grader (First Team)
Kenzie Davis, Hermantown 7th-grader (Second Team)
HAWKS NOTEBOOK
Winter activities practice start dates:
Dance – Started Monday
Girls Hockey – Monday, Oct. 28. Player to watch: F Jane Eckstrom
Boys Hockey – Monday, Nov. 11. Players to watch: F River Freeman, D Henry Peterson (St. Thomas commit)
Girls Basketball – Monday, Nov. 11.
Alpine Skiing – Monday, Nov. 11
Nordic Ski Racing – Monday, Nov. 11
Girls Gymnastics – Monday, Nov. 11
Boys Basketball – Monday, Nov. 18.
Wrestling – Monday, Nov. 18
Adapted Floor Hockey – Monday, Nov. 25
Boys Swimming & Diving – Monday, Dec. 2