Prep volleyball featured games

Today’s prep volleyball matches
Hermantown (18-11) vs. Mora (25-5)
What: Section 7AA final
When: 2 p.m.
Where: Duluth Denfeld
Outlook: The Hawks advanced by upsetting Cloquet 3-2 in a thrilling semifinal Tuesday, winning 15-13 in the final game. Jillayne Gilbert (2.4 kills per game) led the way with 14 kills and fellow seniors Paige Tomlin (1.8 kpg) and Ciarra Slattengren (2.0 kpg) added 12 and 10, respectively. Junior Hailey Menzel (2.4 kpg) led the team in total kills this season. Sophomore Jordyn Thomas (5.6 set assists per game) and junior Cassidy Kaneski (3.5 apg) combined for 53 assists in the team’s 6-2 offense. The Hawks lost 25-21, 28-26, 25-21 to Mora in an early season matchup. Hermantown is seeking a fifth state tournament appearance but its first since back-to-back trips in 1994-95 (others came in 1976 and 1978). … The Mustangs upended top-seeded Greenway 3-0 in the semifinals as Stephanie Cannon (404 kills, 398 digs this season) totaled 15 kills and Brooke Elvehjem (243 kills, 238 digs) had nine kills. Two-time defending champion Mora, which beat Hermantown in the 2012 section final and Cloquet last year, also went to state in 1998.
Radio: WKLK-FM 96.5
South Ridge (25-3) vs. Carlton (26-5)
What: Section 7A final
When: 4 p.m.
Where: Duluth Denfeld
Outlook: The Panthers inched closer to their first state berth with a 3-1 semifinal win over Northeast Range on Tuesday. Senior Justice Janke had 24 kills and junior Mallory Thibault added 16 for South Ridge. Longtime setter Mikayla Olesiak totaled 39 sets. The Panthers fell 3-0 to Carlton in early September before rattling off 18 straight wins until falling to Hermantown and Esko at the Eskomos’ tournament. … The Bulldogs eliminated Hill City 3-1 as senior Grace Macor, junior Macy Belich and senior Jessica Stanslaski combined for 50 kills. Carlton has won 17 of its last 18 matches, losing only to Class AA school Mora. The Bulldogs cruised through the section playoffs a year ago en route to its third state tournament, where it dropped both of their matches.
Radio: WKLK-FM 96.5