Pequot Lakes closed out sets efficiently and handed the Detroit Lakes volleyball team a 3-0 loss at Pequot Lakes high school Thursday, Oct. 8 in the season opener for both teams.
The Lakers got off to a strong start scoring eight of the first 10 points, but the Patriots created momentum and outscored DL 23-12 to take the opening set 25-20.
The Patriots doubled up the Lakers out of the gates in set two building a 16-8 lead and closing out on a 9-6 run to go up 2-0 with a 25-14 win.
Set three was testy with the score tied early at 6-all, again at 10, 11 and 13, before the Patriots put together their longest run of the match scoring 10 straight points to lead 23-13.
DL answered with a three-point run to pull within seven points but back-to-back points from Pequot sealed the match.
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Faith Keller and Autumn Kulik had strong games for the Lakers in the back row, according to DL head coach Lynnsey Machakaire.
Grace Gunderson led the offense with six kills. Jalynn Gunderson had five kills and three ace serves. Jordyn Johnson and Lauren Kaiser had three kills each; Ava Gilbert added two.
Ava Jones did much of the orchestrating of the offense with 19 assists to go with a pair of ace serves.
Pequot Lakes (1-0) was a tough draw to open the season against on the road. The Patriots are coming off a 27-7 season and a trip to the Class AA state tournament with 10 letterwinners returning from that team.
Detroit Lakes (0-1) will face Thief River Falls in the home opener Monday, Oct. 12 at 8:30 p.m. The late start is due to bus availability from Thief River Falls and may start earlier if possible.
The Prowlers (0-1) were blanked at home by Roseau (25-18, 25-19, 25-22) to start the season.
