The Hastings Raiders girls volleyball team wrapped up a demanding stretch of matches this past week, one filled with long rallies, tough opponents, and lessons learned along the way. The Raiders squeezed out two key wins against Bloomington Kennedy, pushed state powerhouse Chanhassen to the limit, and came away from North St. Paul with plenty of determination to turn things around before the two teams meet again in October.
Head coach Elisabeth Curran summed it up with an honest assessment.
“Our tournament went alright. We were hoping for better, but I’m thankful that we were able to pull out two wins against Bloomington Kennedy. It’s always hard to beat a team back-to-back. The girls battled fatigue and felt the strain of playing four matches with two going into extra sets. They fought hard against Chanhassen, currently ranked first in the state for AAAA. And we’re leaving the game against North feeling quite dissatisfied with how we performed, and thankful to play them again on October 9th. We’re planning to work harder, smarter, and leave with a better result.”
The win column was highlighted by strong serving and steady play against Kennedy. In one matchup, outside hitter Norah Thome delivered 10 serves with three aces and piled up 14 digs, a huge presence on both ends of the court. Middle hitter Lexi Gruden added four kills, while defensive specialist Ella Carlson provided balance with seven digs and two kills. The rematch showed more of the same. The Raiders relied on aggressive serving from multiple players, with Thome again leading the way, this time with another trio of aces and five kills.
Against Chanhassen, the stat line told a story of resilience. Gruden recorded six kills and two block assists, while Thome chipped in with three kills and eight digs. Even in defeat, the Raiders showed they could hang with one of the state’s top teams, extending rallies and refusing to fold.
Coach Curran acknowledged the toughness of the matchup, saying, “They fought hard against Chanhassen… they battled fatigue and felt the strain of playing four matches with two going into extra sets.”
North St. Paul proved more difficult. Despite flashes of brilliance, errors piled up and momentum slipped away. Thome stood out with four aces and 11 digs, and outside hitter Andi Carlson led the attack with five kills, but it wasn’t enough to keep pace. Curran didn’t mince words about the outcome, noting the dissatisfaction with the performance but stressing the opportunity for redemption when the two teams meet again.
Mahtomedi also presented challenges, especially with a stifling gym atmosphere.
“The gym was super-hot and loud, and the girls never quite got in a groove offensively. Mahtomedi made us work for every point that we got. Thankfully, our serving and blocking were quite excellent in the game, Curran explained. “So, I was happy about that.” As the Raiders regroup, the calendar brings more opportunities to build momentum. Prescott is next on Sept. 23 on the road, followed by a home match on Sept. 25 at 6:15 p.m. against Tartan, with the added energy of homecoming week. Curran is hoping the festivities translate into focus.
“I’m hoping that all the festivities have our girls coming into games and practices energized and ready to get to work.”
It was a week of mixed results, but one that left the Raiders seasoned, tested, and eager for what’s ahead. With consistent serving, determined defense, and a clear plan to sharpen their play, Hastings is looking to turn lessons into victories as the season rolls on.