WILLMAR -- The Willmar Cardinals launched their season Tuesday night by defeating Minnetonka 25-14, 25-20, 22-25, 25-15 in a non-conference volleyball match.
Seniors Hannah Smith and Jena Thompson combined at the net for 32 kills, 17 by the 5-11 Thompson.
Willmar also won at Minnetonka in the 2008 opener, 3-2.
It was a pleasant debut for coach Terrin DeBoer, an assistant coach last year to Mary Hanson, who retired after 20 seasons.
The Cardinals hit the floor like it was the middle of the season, jumping to quick leads in each of the first two games.
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"I was very happy," said DeBoer. "We executed just like we did in practice."
The Skippers seized the early momentum in the third game and led by three to five points most of the way.
With Shae Bruess serving, Willmar pulled within one of the lead, 23-22, on a Smith tip, but the Skippers' Hannah Wilson drilled a kill down the heart of the Willmar defense, ending the Cardinals' rally.
But Willmar made quick work of Game 4, winning by 10.
"We played good defense," said DeBoer. "We knew that would be a strong point. Hannah and Jena put a lot of balls away on offense."
Smith also had 16 digs. Senior Jennie Mattison and sophomore Addy Nelson set up the hitters. Sophomores Lindsey Atchison added nine kills, Laura Swartz five and senior Alex Lippert six.
The Cardinals open up their Central Lakes Conference schedule Thursday when they are at Sartell.
Willmar 3, Minnetonka 1
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Minnetonka 14 20 25 15
Willmar 25 25 22 25
(Key: good-attempts-aces)
Minnetonka
No statistics available
Willmar
Serving: Jennie Mattison 11-11-2, Hannah Smith 11-14-1, Laura Swartz 15-15-0, Addy Nelsen 17-18-1, Shae Bruess 22-22-0, Jena Thompson 7-9-0 ... Setting: Mattison 89-89-20, Nelsen 79-80-19 ... Hitting: Smith 45-52-15, Lindsey Atchison 26-30-9, Thompson 35-40-17, Swartz 8-10-5, Alex Lippert 19-22-6, Sara Banks 8-9-4, Mattison 3-3-1, Nelsen 7-7-1 ... Blocking (aces): Thompson 3, Lippert 2, Smith 2 ... Digs: Smith 16, Johnson 12, Mattison 5, Nelsen 4
