Chuck Hartman’s Wolverines used a solid running game and stout defense to claim a 14-13 comeback win over Le Sueur-Henderson in conference play at Arlington.

It would have been easy for the Wolverines to fold early, coming off a lopsided loss to Norwood Young America and giving up a long return to LSH on the opening kickoff. But, aside from a few coverage woes on special teams, the Wolverines would better the Giants in many categories. Sibley East proved dominant in the second half and a fourth quarter touchdown gave the Wolverines their first win over LSH in five seasons.

“Our kids played with a lot of heart,” coach Hartman said. “We found ourselves in a hole and dug ourselves out. They never gave up and some adjustments at halftime enabled us to get back into the game.”

Hartman said it was a special teams breakdown that allowed LSH to run the opening kickoff to the one yard line. It took the Giants one play to score and Sibley East quickly had its back to the wall.

A long LSH punt return would make matters worse in the second quarter. This time Giants’ running back Brendan Kroehler scored from five yards out. But, LSH’s point after attempt was muffed and that play would prove pivotal.

Sibley East put together a few offensive drives in the first half but could not reach paydirt.

The Wolverines would break through in the first drive of the second half. Tyler Pasvogel’s nine yard touchdown run capped a 17 play, 73-yard drive for Sibley East. That drive ate up 9:00 minutes. Dalton Webster’s point after kick was good trimming the LSH lead to 13-7.

Sibley East scored the go-ahead touchdown in similar fashion. A 14 play, 63-yard drive finished in the endzone when Pasvogel plunged in from five yards out. Webster then remained perfect on the season. The senior’s sixth straight extra point kick put the Wolverines on top.

A pass interference call enabled LSH to threaten late in the game. But, Michael Bullert sealed the win for the Wolverines with an interception deep in Sibley East territory with less than a minute remaining.

“I was very proud of the way our kids played, especially in the second half,” Hartman said. “It was a total team effort.”

Sibley East had 18 first downs on the night, eleven more than LSH. The Wolverines racked up 240 rushing yards while the Giants had 55.

Logan Reid led all Sibley East ball carriers with 95 yards on 17 carries. Pasvogel added 65 yards while Herd and Ashton had 44 and 32 yards respectively.

Herd, Sibley East’s senior quarterback, completed 3 of 7 passes for 27 yards. Tanner Walsh caught two of those passes for 17 yards. Kyle Goetsch also had a catch for Sibley East.

Webster highlighted defensive action for the Wolverines with ten tackles, four of which were solo. Orlando Castillo and Teddy DuFrane had eight and seven tackles respectively while Pasvogel chased down six LSH ball carriers. Castillo and Goetsch also recorded one sack apiece.

Coach Hartman called it a “big” win for his team but said his Wolverines can’t dwell on it and must get ready for Mayer Lutheran. Sibley East will play at Mayer Friday. The Crusaders fell to Holy Family 40-33 last week.

Sibley East will take its three game win streak into Le Sueur-Henderson on Thursday. The Wolverines are 1-1 in Minnesota River Conference (MRC) play while LSH is 2-0.

SE 3 Dassel-Cokato 2
Sibley East’s volleyballers escaped Dassel-Cokato on Monday with a 3-2 victory.

Scores from the thrilling non-conference match were 26-24, 23-25, 15-25, 25-22 and 17-15. It was Sibley East’s fifth five game match of the season.

“This was a very tough match in front of a very hostile crowd,” Sibley East coach Chip Wolverton said. “I was proud of how our girls maintained their composure through some adversity.”

After winning the opener, Sibley East had a lead slip away in game two and eventually found itself trailing two games to one.

Senior Shannon Bjorklund then powered the Wolverines to a game four win. She connected on kills in 11 of 14 swings.

Sibley East then trailed 11-8 in the fifth set before rattling off five straight points. Senior Katie Bauer was at the serving line for that rally.

Bjorklund led all Wolverines on the night with 20 kills while Makenzie Petzel and Hailey Becker smashed eleven and ten winners respectively. Petzel and Becker also combined for six blocks.

Lauren Highland had 41 set assists for the winners while Val Kloeckl was 21 of 21 from the serving line with four aces.

SE 3 Holy Family 0
Comeback victories in games two and three enabled Sibley East’s volleyball team to sweep Holy Family Thursday in Minnesota River Conference (MRC) action at Gaylord.

Scores from the match were 25-17, 26-24, 26-24.

Sibley East trailed 12-7 and 16-12 before rallying in the second set. Holy Family built a 20-13 lead before the Wolverines came back to win game three. Sibley East would score the final five points of the night to close out the match.

Coach Wolverton highlighted the fine all-around play of Katie Bauer who ended the match with a kill. “It was a fitting ending as Katie played her best match of the year,” Wolverton said.

Bauer had six kills and was 10 of 10 serving with two aces. Shannon Bjorklund added eleven kills and nine digs for the winners while Makenzie Petzel charted 12 points at the net.

Val Kloeckl led all Sibley East defenders with 15 digs. Lauren Highland contributed 29 set assists.

SE 3 Mound-Westonka 2
Sibley East’s volleyball team kicked off its week with a 3-2 win at Mound-Westonka. Scores from the match were 25-20, 25-15, 28-30, 15-25 and 15-12.

Lauren Highland highlighted action for Sibley East by charting a career high 51 set assists. The junior also had five kills and one ace serve.

Hailey Becker led all Wolverines with 18 kills and four blocks. Paige Swenson had 12 winning spikes while Shannon Bjorklund and Makenzie Petzel tallied eleven winners apiece. Swenson was also 25 of 26 serving with two aces.

Leading defensive play was Val Kloeckl. The senior had 26 digs. Kloeckl was also 17 of 17 serving with two aces.

SE volleyballers seeking third straight title Saturday

A three-peat! That is the goal for the Lady Wolverines Saturday when they host the annual Sibley East volleyball tournament at Gaylord.

Sibley East successfully defended its title a year ago by sweeping Norwood Young America in the championship match.

Norwood Young America returns this season along with GFW, Glencoe-Silver Lake, LCWM, MVL, Springfield and Henry Sibley.

Play will begin Saturday at 9:00 a.m.

Sibley East won all three doubles matches in straight sets.

At #1 doubles, Wolverines Mackenzie Timm and Morgan Setterman posted a 6-3, 7-5 victory. Timm and Setterman lead Sibley East in wins this season.

The Wolverines lost a total of but six games in the #2 and #3 doubles matches. Recording wins were Katie Glisczinski/Lindsay Fasching (6-1, 6-2) and Allison Larson/Molly Kjellsvig (6-1, 6-2).

Maple River earned the win by sweeping a young Sibley East foursome in singles matches. Suffering setbacks were junior Hannah Larson (6-1, 6-2), sophomore Lauren Otto (6-3, 6-2), eighth-grader Breann Walsh (6-0, 6-0) and ninth-grader Mariah Schrupp (6-2, 6-4). Maple River’s singles lineup featured two seniors and two juniors.

SE 1 Le Center 6
Lauren Otto highlighted action in Sibley East’s first match on Thursday. The junior was a winner at #4 singles in Sibley East’s 6-1 loss to visiting Le Center.

Otto defeated Le Center junior Andrea Soweija in straight sets. Scores from the match were 6-2, 6-2.

Sibley East junior Hannah Larson fell in three sets to junior Maggie O’Malley. Larson fell 6-4 in the opening set before knotting the match with a 6-3 victory. O’Malley then claimed the win with a 6-2 victory in set three.

Also suffering losses in singles play were Wolverines Mackenzie Timm (6-2, 6-3) and Morgan Setterman (6-3, 6-1).

Sibley East was swept in doubles action. Wolverine tandems included Katie Glisczinski/Lindsay Fasching (6-0, 6-3), Mariah Schrupp/Breann Walsh (6-1, 6-4), and Molly Kjellsvig/Allison Larson (6-3, 6-4).

SE 1 Le Sueur-Hend. 6
Mackenzie Timm posted Sibley East’s lone victory Friday in a 6-1 Minnesota River Conference (MRC) loss to Le Sueur-Henderson at Arlington.

Timm, a senior, clipped LSH senior Sherene Mostighimi 6-4, 7-5. Sibley East co-head coach Melissa Laumeyer called it a “great win” for Timm.

Sibley East did force a couple tie-breakers but lost the other six matches in straight sets.

Playing singles were Wolverines Morgan Setterman (6-2, 6-3), Hannah Larson (6-4, 6-4) and Lauren Otto (6-4, 6-3 (10-8)).

Falling in doubles action were the Sibley East teams of: Katie Glisczinski/Breann Walsh (6-4, 6-2), Lindsay Fasching/Mariah Schrupp (6-0, 6-6 (7-5)), Molly Kjellsvig/April Thurn (6-2, 6-4).

SE 0 Holy Family 7
League-leading Holy Family defeated Sibley East 7-0 last Tuesday in conference tennis action at Arlington.

Wolverines Hannah Larson and Katie Glisczinski forced a tie-breaker in the #1 doubles match before falling 6-6 (7-2), 6-3.

Sibley East lost the other six matches in straight sets. Falling in singles play were Wolverines Mackenzie Timm (6-1, 6-1), Morgan Setterman (6-1, 6-0), Lauren Otto (6-3, 6-2), Breann Walsh (6-2, 6-3).

Other Sibley East doubles teams last Tuesday consisted of: Lindsay Fasching/Mariah Schrupp (6-0, 6-0), Allison Larson/Molly Kjellsvig (6-0, 6-3).

Next up for the Lady Wolverines is a match at Belle Plaine on Thursday. Sibley East will play at Le Sueur-Henderson on Tuesday, September 28th.

Hannah Miner led the charge for Sibley East. She won a second place medal with a personal best time of 16:49. Jessica Eibs also won a medal, placing 5th with a 17:10 clocking.

Sibley East’s Megan Heibel and Maren Miner won ribbons. Heibel placed 12th (17:28) and Miner 15th (17:46). Other Sibley East finishers included Rachel Ling (19:33), Tara Quast (20:21) and Madi O’Hara (20:38).

The Lady Wolverines placed eighth last Tuesday in the 20 team Norwood Young America Invitational.

All seven varsity runners for Sibley East posted personal best times. Jessica Eibs (16:33) and Megan Heibel (16:34) led the way placing 25th and 26th respectively. Hannah Miner followed with a time of 16:53 and a 33rd place finish.

Other Sibley East times in varsity action included: Maren Miner (17:19), Rachel Ling (18:53), Tara Quast (19:07), Madi O’Hara (19:08).

Sibley East will race at Montgomery on Thursday.

Thies, a senior, won the meet with a time of 17:34. Heavy rains made the course very difficult, according to Sibley East coach Mike Vrklan.

Sibley East finished seventh in the team standings. Other Wolverines in the varsity race included Riley Norman (8th, 18:27), Sam Thies (42nd, 20:29), Todd Pioske (61st, 22:06), Randy Briest (72nd, 24:22).

All four of Sibley East’s varsity runners posted season best times last Tuesday in a meet at Norwood Young America. Twenty teams and 138 runners competed in the event.

Senior Andrew Thies led the Wolverines. He placed sixth with a time of 16:43.

Riley Norman, a senior, clocked a time of 17:48 and placed 26th. Wolverines Sam Thies and Todd Pioske recorded times of 19:48 and 21:20 respectively.

The Wolverine boys will race in the Monty Fun Run at Montgomery on Thursday.

There were 32 teams and more than 200 runners in the girls’ competition, according to Sibley East head coach Mike Vrklan. More than half of the teams competing were “AA” schools, he explained.

“Our girls ran very well as a team and it was an exciting start to the season,” Vrklan said. “This was the first time in many years the girls finished in the top half of the team standings.”

The seven varsity runners for Sibley East included Hannah Miner, Megan Heibel, Jessica Eibs, Maren Miner, Rachel Ling, Tara Quast and Madi O’Hara.

Hannah Miner, a junior, led Sibley East. She placed 47th with a time of 17:04.

Heibel and Eibs placed 57th and 61st respectively with times of 17:12 and 17:22. Maren Miner also cracked the top 100, placing 66th with a 17:31 clocking.

Other times for Sibley East included: Rachel Ling (19:19), Tara Quast (19:52) and Madi O’Hara (19:58).

Thies opens season with medal winning performance

Andrew Thies led Sibley East’s boys’ cross country team in its season opening meet Thursday at Montgomery.

A senior, Thies placed 7th with a medal winning time of 16:55. Five of the six runners finishing better than Thies were from “AA” schools, according to Sibley East coach Mike Vrklan.

It was also a good start for Sibley East’s Riley Norman. The senior placed 49th with a time of 18:22.

Eighth-grader Sam Thies and senior Todd Pioske completed the Sibley East varsity scorecard. They posted times of 20:34 and 22:00 respectively.

There were 30 teams and 226 runners in the boys’ competition.

“It was a great meet for both our girls and boys,” Vrklan said. “All of our runners had personal best times with some cutting up to four minutes from their best times in 2010.”

Sibley East will run at Maple River on Thursday and at Waconia on Tuesday, September 21st.

The game plan for Sibley East was to stop NYA’s standout back Taz Seibert. That would prove to be a difficult task. Even in pouring rain, Seibert managed to break off some long runs and NYA controlled the game from the start.

NYA finished the night with 386 rushing yards and its running game set up a pair of passing touchdowns.

Seibert caught an 18-yard pass from Neil Oftelie to put the Central Raiders on top 7-0 in the first quarter. Later in the quarter Seibert would break off a long run which set up his one-yard touchdown run.

NYA would also score a pair of touchdowns in the second stanza, one of which came on a 16-yard pass from Ofetlie to Schrupp. Central went into halftime with a 29-0 advantage.

A Sibley East drive stalled deep in NYA territory late in the first half. The Wolverines then reached the scoreboard in their first drive of the second half. Logan Reid capped a nine play, 60-yard drive with a five yard touchdown run. Dalton Webster added the point after kick to make it a 29-7 contest.

NYA then closed out the scoring with a three yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

“We did not execute well and NYA took advantage,” Sibley East coach Chuck Hartman said. “We did have a couple nice drives in the middle of the game and that is what we will have to build off this week. The kids need to use this game as a learning experience.”

Hartman highlighted the play of fullback Brandon Ashton and safety Caleb Ling. He said Ashton is still not 100% because of an injury but he ran hard. Hartman said Ling did a good job from his safety position.

Ling and Robert Harter finished the night with seven tackles apiece. Senior McKoy Rodning led Sibley East for the second week in-a-row with nine tackles while Tyler Pasvogel had a fumble recovery.

Ashton and Reid led all Wolverines with 45 and 43 rushing yards respectively.

Sibley East, 1-1 overall and 0-1 in the MRC, will host Le Sueur-Henderson on Friday in Arlington. Game time is 7:00 p.m.

The Lady Wolverines won the first two games 25-14 and 25-23 before falling 25-22, 25-19 and 15-7.

A strong finish powered Sibley East in game one as the black and gold ran off ten straight points for the victory. Wolverton said Lauren Highland served and set up some nice kills from Makenzie Petzel and Shannon Bjorklund to close out the game.

Sibley East fell behind 12-4 before rallying to win game two. Behind clutch serving from Jordan Thomes, the Wolverines closed out the second set with six straight points.

Coach Wolverton said his team “could not seem to click” in games three and four. A game three comeback would fall short and from that point on Montgomery-Lonsdale would hold the momentum. The Redbirds jumped out to a 7-2 lead in the fifth game and the Wolverines never recovered.

Petzel and Bjorklund led Sibley East with 11 kills apiece while Hailey Becker had seven winning spikes. Petzel and Becker also combined for seven blocks.

Bjorklund and Val Kloeckl led the defense with a combined 33 digs. Kloeckl was also 17 of 17 serving with three aces.

It was also a fine all-around performance for Highland. She had 31 set assists and six kills.

SE 0 Jordan 3
Jordan, the #6 ranked team in Class AA, swept Sibley East 25-14, 25-17, 25-13 Thursday in a Minnesota River Conference (MRC) volleyball match at Gaylord.

Sibley East challenged the Jaguars in game two, leading 10-9 at one point. But, Jordan put together one of its many rallies on the night to put the game away.

Jordan was powered by the hitting of Kelsey Chambers and Paige Smith, and the serving of Emily Gutzmer and Mackenzie Kruger.

Sibley East coach Chip Wolverton highlighted the play of junior Lauren Highland saying she “played a very nice game with tons of hustle.”

Highland finished the night with 13 set assists while Val Kloeckl led all Wolverines with eight digs.

Recording kills for Sibley East were Hailey Becker, Makenzie Petzel, Shannon Bjorklund and Paige Swenson.

The loss drops Sibley East’s record to 1-3 overall and 0-1 in MRC play. The Wolverines will host Holy Family on Thursday. and Norwood Young American on Tuesday, September 21st. Sibley East will play at Dassel-Cokato on Monday.

The Lady Wolverines opened the day with a 25-20, 25-22 loss to Worthington. Sibley East led 21-17 in game two of the match before unraveling.

Shannon Bjorklund led SE in the contest with six kills while Hailey Becker had four ace serves.

Improved play enabled the Wolverines to upend Austin 25-20, 25-23 in their second match of the day.

Lauren Highland had 13 set assists in the win while Val Kloeckl contributed 12 digs. Becker, Bjorklund and Makenzie Petzel combined for 15 kills.

Sibley East then lost a chance to advance to bracket play when it lost to eventual champion Windom 25-13, 25-16.

Petzel and Paige Swenson had five kills apiece against Windom while Kloeckl and Highland had seven digs and 13 set assists respectively.

Coach Wolverton also noted that Jordan Thomes “had a great day” serving and playing in the back row. The sophomore was 19 of 19 serving with three aces. Wolverton also highlighted the efficient hitting of Swenson. The senior had only one hitting error out of 19 swings.

Senior Mackenzie Timm put Sibley East on the board with a win at #1 singles. She defeated Belle Plaine’s Abby Luskey 6-2, 6-2.

Sibley East’s Morgan Setterman continued her solid play. The sophomore defeated Belle Plaine’s Ashley Morrison 6-2, 6-0 in the #2 singles match.

Lauren Otto made it three wins for the Wolverines. The junior was a 6-2, 6-4 winner at #4 singles.

Sibley East’s Hannah Larson fell in a close #3 singles match. The junior was tripped by Belle Plaine’s Adri Doheny 6-4, 7-5.

Falling on the doubles court were the following Sibley East tandems: Katie Glisczinski/Lindsey Fasching (6-1, 6-0); Mariah Schrupp/Breann Walsh (6-1, 6-1), April Thurn/Allison Larson (6-4, 6-3);

SE 2 River Valley 5
Wolverines Morgan Setterman and Hannah Larson won their singles matches Monday in Sibley East’s 5-2 setback at River Valley.

Setterman, playing #2 singles, defeated River Valley’s Shelly Roiger 6-3, 6-1. Larson was a winner at #3 singles. The junior swept River Valley’s Amanda Goblirsch 6-4, 6-4.

Falling in singles action were Wolverines Mackenzie Timm (2-6, 6-2, 6-3) and Lauren Otto (7-5, 6-2).

Sibley East doubles teams suffering setbacks included: Glisczinski/Fasching (6-0, 6-1), Schrupp/Walsh (6-2, 6-4), Allison Larson/Molly Kjellsvig (6-1, 6-2).

Three straight home matches are now on tap for the Wolverines. They will host Le Center on Thursday and Le Sueur-Henderson on Friday. Sibley East will then play Jordan at home on Tuesday, September 21st.

All home tennis matches are played in Arlington.