SARTELL — The Willmar volleyball team improved to 8-0 this season with a four-set victory over Sartell during a Central Lakes Conference match from Sartell High School.

The Cardinals went into the match with a 6-0 record in the Central Lakes. The Sabres were in second place at 5-1. The Sabres’ previous lone loss was 3-0 on Oct. 12 at Willmar.

Willmar’s size proved problematic for Sartell as Willmar tallied 13 blocks, led by six from Mackenzie Knofczynski. Sydney Schnichels led the Cardinals with 17 kills along with 11 digs, and Bailey Olson came up with 14 kills, four ace serves and nine digs. Abby Stark scooped up 23 digs in the victory.

Willmar next plays at 7 p.m. Tuesday against Rocori at the Big Red Gym.

Willmar 3, Sartell 1

Willmar (9-0) 25 25 23 25

Sartell (5-2) 17 20 25 18

Willmar

Serving (aces): Bailey Olson 4, Callie Slagter 2, Abby Stark 2, Lydia Larson 2, Madelyn Gregory 1 … Set assists: Larson 46 … Hitting (kills): Sydney Schnichels 17, Olson 14, Gregory 9, Mackenzie Knofczynski 5, Sophie Kobienia 4, Larson 3, Stark 1 … Blocking (aces): Knofczynski 6, Schnichels 2, Gregory 2, Larson 1, Marissa Rosen 1, Olson 1 … Digs (5 or more): Stark 23, Schnichels 11, Slagter 10, Larson 9, Olson 8

Sartell

Stats not available

Central Minnesota
Paynesville 3,
Royalton 1

Paynesville earned a hard-fought victory at Royalton, winning 25-19, 25-15, 24-26, 26-24.

Natalie Riley led the Bulldogs’ attack with 12 kills and six ace serves along with 10 digs. Kyleigh Tangen had 12 kills along with a team-best 13 digs. Aubrie Spanier and Madi Leyendecker had 23 and 19 set assists, respectively.

Paynesville next plays at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday against visiting Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa.

Paynesville (4-3) 25 25 24 26

Royalton (1-6) 19 15 26 24

Paynesville

Serving (aces): Natalie Riley 6, Aubrie Spanier 4, Emma Stanley 3, Brynn Johnson 2, Madi Leyendecker 1, Kyleigh Tangen 1, Kaitlyn Gilk 1 … Set assists: Spanier 23, Leyendecker 19 … Hitting (kills): Riley 12, Tangen 12, Johnson 7, Ashley Osendorf 6, Leyendecker 5, Brooklyn Schroeder 3, Gilk 2 … Blocking (aces): Osendorf 2-1/2, Johnson 1, Schroeder 1, Tangen 1/2 … Digs (5 or more): Tangen 13, Stanley 12, Riley 10, Spanier 6

Royalton

Stats not available