Eagles defeat Bears 3-1 for second PRC win of the season

Contributed photo
The New York Mills volleyball team took first place at the Browerville Tournament on Saturday.

By Chad Koenen

Publisher

The New York Mills Eagles wrapped up a busy week with a first place finish at the seven team Browerville Tournament on Saturday. The Eagles went 4-0-2 in the tournament, which came on the heels of a pair of other games last week as well.

Photos by Chad Koenen
Ayla Olson sets the ball next to the net during a recent game in New York Mills. The Eagles took first place at the Browerville Tournament on Saturday.

The Eagles opened the week with a tough 3-2 loss to Park Christian on Tuesday night, before improving to 2-0 in the Park Region Conference with a 3-1 win over Bertha-Hewitt. The win on Thursday improved the Eagles to 3-1 outside of tournament play and 2-0 in the conference. 

Tuesday

NY Mills fell for the first time this season in a five game thriller against Park Christian on Tuesday night. 

The Falcons took an early 2-0 lead after winning the opening two games of the night by scores of 25-22, 25-21. The Eagles took over and dominated Park Christian in the third and fourth games by scores of 25-16 and 25-19 to force a winner-take-all fifth game.

Unfortunately, Park Christian was able to do just enough down the stretch to come away with a 16-14 win and take the match 3-2. 

Belle Vaden returns a serve during a recent game in New York Mills.

Ayla Olson had a huge game at the net for the Eagles as the senior finished with 24 kills to go along with a team-high six ace serves, 14 assists and 21 digs. 

Annika Dunrud also reached double figures with 10 kills and had 13 assists, while Alayna Baune finished with nine kills.

Gabi Vaden remained busy on the defensive end of the court throughout the night as she tied Olson for a team-high 21 digs, while Chloe Costin chipped in with 11 assists. 

New York Mills vs. Park Christian

SERVING: Ayla Olson 28-29 (6 ace), Annika Dunrud 13-13, Gabi Vaden 11-11, Belle Vaden 21-22, Chloe Costin 11-12, Kalyn Balbach 18-20 (2 ace)

KILLS: Ayla Olson 24, Annika Dunrud 10, Alayna Baune 9, Eliyana Ruther 2, Chloe Costin 5, Alivia Preuss 3

BLOCKS: Ayla Olson 2, Annika Dunrud 3, Alayna Baune 5, Eliyana Ruther 1, Chloe Costin 1, Alivia Preuss 3

ASSISTS: Ayla Olson 14, Annika Dunrud 14, Gabi Vaden 3, Belle Vaden 2, Chloe Costin 11

DIGS: Ayla Olson 21, Annika Dunrud 6, Eliyana Ruther 2, Gabi Vaden 21, Belle Vaden 3, Chloe Costin 5, Alivia Preuss 1, Kalyn Balbach 9

Thursday

NY Mills improved to 2-0 in the Park Region Conference with a 3-1 win over Bertha-Hewitt. After the Bears took the first game by a score of 25-21, the Eagles marched back with wins in the final three games of the night by scores of 25-18, 25-18, 25-16 to come away with the win.

Ayla Olson once again had a solid night from the floor as she finished with a team-high 17 kills to go along with a pair of ace serves and 18 assists. Alayna Baune and Annika Dunrud finished with eight and seven kills respectively, while Dunrud, Gabi Vaden and Bella Vaden led the way with 10 digs apiece. 

New York Mills vs. Bertha-Hewitt

SERVING: Ayla Olson 19-20 (2 ace), Annika Dunrud 8-9, Gave Vaden 15-15 (1 ace), Belle Vaden 15-19 (1 ace), Chloe Costin 10-11 (1 ace), Alise Schornack 8-8 (1 ace), Kalyn Balbach 10-13 (2 ace)

KILLS: Ayla Olson 17, Annika Dunrud 7, Alayna Baune 8, Eliyana Ruther 2, Chloe Costin 4, Alivia Preuss 2

BLOCKS: Ayla Olson 6, Annika Dunrud 2, Alayan Baune 7, Chloe Costin 5, Alivia Preuss 1

ASSISTS: Ayla Olson 18, Annika Dunrud 7, Eliyana Ruther 1, Gabi Vaden 2, Belle Vaden 1, Chloe Costin 7

DIGS: Ayla Olson 9, Annika Dunrud 10, Eliyana Ruther 1, Gabi Vaden 10, Belle Vaden 10, Chloe Costin 2, Alivia Preuss 1, Kalyn Balbach 7

Saturday

It was a busy day on Saturday as the Eagles played six games in the Browerville Tournament. NY Mills went 4-0-2 in the tournament and came away with the tournament championship.

The Eagles defeated Brandon-Evansville, Henning, Long Prairie-Grey Eagle and Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley, while splitting 1-1 with Bertha-Hewitt and Browerville to capture first place in the tournament. 

Ayla Olson led the Eagles with 56 kills in the tournament, while Annika Dunrud finished with 26 kills and Alayna Baune finished with 25. Olson also led the team with seven ace serves and 46 assists. 

Gabi Vaden finished with a team-high 48 digs, while Kalyn Balbach finished with 31 digs in the tournament. 

New York Mills vs. Browerville

SERVING: Ayla Olson 44-46 (7 ace), Annika Dunrud 20-26 (4 ace), Gabi Vaden 44-45 (3 ace), Belle Vaden 43-44 (8 ace), Chloe Costin 23-27 (5 ace), Kalyn Balbach 43-47 (3 ace), Alice Schornack 1-1

KILLS: Ayla Olson 56, Annika Dunrud 26, Alayna Baune 25, Belle Vaden 6, Chloe Costin 7, Alivia Preuss 4, Eliyana Ruther 4

BLOCKS: Ayla Olson 4, Annika Dunrud 2, Alayna Baune 9, Chloe Costin 1, Alivia Preuss 3

ASSISTS: Ayla Olson 46, Annika Dunrud 20, Gabi Vaden 2, Belle Vaden 2, Chloe Costin 36, Alivia Preuss 3, Kalyn Balbach 1

DIGS: Ayla Olson 26, Annika Dunrud 22, Alayna Baune 1, Gabi Vaden 48, Belle Vaden 26, Chloe Costin 8, Alivia Preuss 1, Kalyn Balbach 31