Eagles are 2-0 overall, 1-0 in PRC

Photos by Chad Koenen
Annika Dunrud and Ellyanna Ruther attempt to block a shot during last week’s game against Henning.

By Chad Koenen

Publisher

The New York Mills Eagles improved to 2-0 overall and 1-0 in the Park Region Conference with a 3-1 win over Henning. The Eagles defeated the Frazee Hornets 3-2 in non-conference action to open the season on August 29. 

Alivia Preuss sends a shot past a Henning blocker last week.

This week the Eagles will travel to Park Christian on Tuesday night, before hosting Bertha-Hewitt in conference action on Thursday night. NY Mills will travel to Long Prairie on Saturday to participate in the annual Browerville Tournament. 

August 29

Ayla Olson and Annika Dunrud combined for 33 kills as the NY Mills Eagles opened their season with a 3-2 win over Frazee on August 29. The Eagles won a back-and-forth opening game of the night by a score of 25-21, before the Hornets struck back with a win in game two by a score of 25-17. 

Photos by Chad Koenen
Kailyn Balbach and Gabi Vaden dive for a ball during last week’s game in New York Mills.

NY Mills won the third game 25-16, before Frazee forced a game five when they came out with a 25-15 win in the fourth game.

In the fifth and final game it was all Eagles as they jumped out to an early lead and never looked back as they came away with the 15-6 win.

Chloe Costin and Annika Dunrud attempt to block a shot during last week’s game against Henning.

Olson had a big game at the net as she had 21 kills to go along with 13 assists and 19 digs. She also had a team-high five ace serves.

Dunrud finished with 12 kills, while Alayna Baune chipped in with seven kills of her own. 

New York Mills vs. Frazee

SERVING: Ayla Olson 0-22 (5 ace), Annika Dunrud 4-5, Gabi Vaden 0-21 (1 ace), Belle Vader 0-11 (2 ace), Chloe Costin 17-18 (2 ace), Kalyn Balbach 18-19 (2 ace)

KILLS: Ayla Olson 21, Annika Dunrud 12, Alayna Baune 7, Eliyana Ruther 1, Belle Vaden 2, Alivia Preuss 1

BLOCKS: Ayla Olson 2, Alayna Baune 4, Chloe Costin 3

ASSISTS: Ayla Olson 13, Annika Dunrud 6, Chloe Costin 17, Alivia Preuss 1, Kalyn Balbach 1

DIGS: Ayla Olson 19, Annika Dunrud 9, Alayna Baune 1, Eliyana Ruther 3, Gabi Vaden 14, Belle Vaden 11, Chloe Costin 5, Kalyn Balbach 10

Thursday

NY Mills opened its Park Region Conference schedule up with a 3-1 win over Henning on Thursday night. The Eagles won a tight 26-24 game against the Hornets in game one, before jumping out to a 2-0 lead following a win in the second game by a score of 25-16. 

After Henning came away with a win in the third game by a score of 25-19, the Eagles closed the door shut on the match with a 25-21 win over Henning in the fourth game to come away with the win.

Ayla Olson once again led the charge offensively with 13 kills to go along with a team-high six ace serves. She also had 13 assists in the win.

Annika Dunrud finished with seven kills, while Alayna Baune and Alivia Preuss finished with six kills apiece. 

Gabi Vaden had a big game defensively with 21 digs, while Chloe Costin finished with 12 assists. 

New York Mills vs. Henning

SERVING: Ayla Olson 17-19 (2 ace), Annika Dunrud 7-8 (1 ace), Gabi Vaden 20-21 (2 ace), 12-14 (2 ace), 15-16, Kalyn Balbach 14-16 (2 ace)

KILLS: Ayla Olson 13, Annika Dunrud 7, Alayna Baune 6, Eliyana Ruther 1, Belle Vaden 1, Chloe Costin 3, Alivia Preuss 6

BLOCKS: Ayla Olson 1, Annika Dunrud 1, Alayna Baune 5, Chloe Costin 2, Alivia Preuss 1

ASSISTS: Ayla Olson 13, Annika Dunrud 6, Alayna Baune 1, Chloe Costin 12

DIGS: Ayla Olson 8, Annika Dunrud 4, Alayna Baune 2, Eliyana Ruther 4, Gabi Vaden 21, Belle Vaden 4, Chloe Costin 5, Alivia Preuss 2, Kalyn Balbach 7