Sacred Heart's first trip to state tournament starts with a win

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.

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ST. PAUL — East Grand Forks Sacred Heart's first trip to the Minnesota Class A state volleyball tournament has started with a win.

The No. 4-seeded Eagles swept No. 5 Chisholm 25-13, 25-21, 26-24 in the state quarterfinals on Thursday at Grand Casino Arena.

"We needed to come out and pass well, which I think we did," Sacred Heart coach Emily Vonasek said. "I'm thrilled with how our team played."

Sacred Heart, 30-3 overall, advances to face No. 1 Minneota in the state semifinals at 1 p.m. Friday at Grand Casino Arena.

Korrie Wenzel / Grand Forks Herald

The Eagles jumped out to a 12-4 lead in the first set, finishing off the set win with a Stella Riskey block.

In the second set, Chisholm led as late as 16-15 and hung around at 22-20 before Finley Horken had a kill to finish the 25-20 set.

The Eagles jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the third set and led 13-6. Chisholm, though, went on a run to tie the match at 18 and at 23.

Korrie Wenzel / Grand Forks Herald

Chisholm took a 24-23 lead but the Eagles countered with kills from Bryn Stevens and Lexi Lawrence. The set was finished off by a Chisholm attack error for a 26-24 finish.

"We really wanted to have good energy, and we did that tonight, so that definitely helped us come out with the win," Sacred Heart's Lydia Riskey said. "(In the third set,) we just had to play our game normally and not focus on what the score was. I think we did that well."

Korrie Wenzel / Grand Forks Herald

Stevens had 13 kills to lead the Eagles, who also received eight kills each from Riskey and Lawrence. Horken, who has more than 3,000 career assists, had 31 assists against Chisholm.

Stevens and Horken led at the service line with two aces each. Riskey had a team-high 16 digs, while Lawrence, who signed a letter of intent to play women's basketball at Minnesota State Moorhead on Wednesday, added 14 digs.

"I think it takes every one of us to play well and contribute to the team," Horken said. "We wanted to come here and not just make it to state but wanted to do something at state, and I think we did that."

• Korrie Wenzel / Grand Forks Herald
• Korrie Wenzel / Grand Forks Herald
• Korrie Wenzel / Grand Forks Herald
• Korrie Wenzel / Grand Forks Herald
• Korrie Wenzel / Grand Forks Herald
• Korrie Wenzel / Grand Forks Herald
• Korrie Wenzel / Grand Forks Herald
• Korrie Wenzel / Grand Forks Herald
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