UPDATE: In a decisive performance, the Ada-Borup-West Cougars swept Red Lake Falls with a score of 25-17, 25-10, 25-12 in the Minnesota Section 8A semifinals on October 24, 2023, solidifying their spot in the section championship. The match took place at the Lysaker Gymnasium on the campus of Minnesota-Crookston.
Leading the charge was Malayna Syverson, who showcased her incredible talent with 22 kills, including 10 in the opening set. The 6-foot-4 middle blocker, committed to North Dakota State University, demonstrated her prowess as the Cougars decisively took control early in the match.
With this victory, Ada-Borup-West, now boasting an impressive record of 22-8, will face East Grand Forks Sacred Heart in the section championship on October 27 at 7 p.m. This matchup is particularly significant as the Cougars handed Sacred Heart their only loss of the season in an earlier game.
“We just have to put a lot of effort in,” Syverson stated in a post-match interview. “We’ve built as a team since the Sacred Heart matchup, and so have they. We’ll lock in and practice to get ready for the game.”
Red Lake Falls, who previously eliminated the defending section champions, finishes their season at 24-7. The match saw several ties in the first set, but Syverson’s dominance allowed the Cougars to pull ahead decisively.
“I think right away we came out with some nerves,” Syverson reflected. “If you’re not nervous, something’s wrong. We pulled it together and built some momentum.”
Additionally, Morgan Engel, also committed to NDSU, contributed significantly with 14 kills, helping the Cougars maintain a commanding lead throughout the match. They started the second set 4-0, never looking back.
As excitement builds for the upcoming championship, fans and players alike are eager to see if Ada-Borup-West can continue their winning streak against Sacred Heart. Stay tuned for what promises to be an electrifying showdown on Friday!
