Wolves emerge as District 15 Champions
By Neal A. Shipman
Farmer Editor
“We are the champions,” was the winning chant of the Watford City varsity volleyball team as the Wolves claimed the District 15 volleyball crown last Thursday evening. The Wolves claimed the title with a 3-1 win over the Williston Trinity Christian Crusaders and will now advance to the Region 8 Tournament as the No. 1 seed from District 15.
During the District 15 Tournament ceremonies, McKayla Haugeberg was named the District 15 Senior Athlete of the Year and Nancy Deutsch was named the District 15 Coach of the Year.
The Region 8 Tournament began play on Monday, Nov. 5 at the Northern Lights Community Center in New Town with Watford City taking on Burke County, the No. 4 seed from District 16. The tournament will conclude on Thursday.
District 15 Tournament
Watford City 3, New Town 0
After receiving a first round bye in the District 15 Tournament, Watford City had an easy time in its semifinals match against New Town defeating the Eagles, 3-0, on Tuesday, Oct. 30.
Watford City swept New Town in three quick games with Watford City taking the first game 25-16 and then completing the sweep posting wins of 25-11 and 25-15.
“New Town had some rallies against us,” stated Nancy Deutsch, Wolves’ head coach. “We kept pounding the ball and our serves were excellent.”
McKayla Haugeberg had a big night offensively for the Wolves as she led the team with nine service aces, while ending the match with eight kills and five digs. Amanda Mogen led Watford City with 11 kills, while Tori Hopkins had 30 assists and Tessa Dwyer had 10 digs.
Individual statistics for Watford City from the match were as follows:
Aces: McKayla Haugeberg, 9; Taylor Dwyer, 3; Amanda Mogen, 3; Jeanna Zenz, 1.
Kills: A. Mogen, 11; Haugeberg, 8; Katie Mogen, 7; Jessica Brown, 5; Taylor Dwyer, 2.
Assists: Hopkins, 30.
Blocks: Brown, 2.
Digs: Tessa Dwyer, 10; Taylor Dwyer, 5; Haugeberg, 5; A. Mogen, 5; Brown, 2; Kara Langerud, 2.
Watford City 3, Trinity Christian 1
Watford City definitely was pumped when the Wolves took to the court for the District 15 title game against Trinity Christian on Thursday evening. And it showed as the Wolves played with an intensity that they hadn’t shown for a long time.
Watford City came out hitting the ball hard offensively and scrambling all over the court on defense to keep the ball in play.
In a hard-fought first game that saw long and intense rallies, the Wolves emerged on top 25-23 and then took the second game 25-10.
The Crusaders took the third game 25-19 with Watford City coming back to take the fourth game 25-21 to win the district title.
“The girls were fired up and ready to play against Trinity Christian,” stated Nancy Deutsch, Wolves’ head coach. “Our goal was to keep attacking at the net both on offense and defense. It was a fun match.”
McKayla Haugeberg, Jessica Brown and Tori Hopkins led the Wolves with four service aces each, while Haugeberg ended the match with 10 kills and 23 digs.
Individual statistics for Watford City from the match were as follows:
Aces: McKayla Haugeberg, 4; Jessica Brown, 4; Tori Hopkins, 4; Taylor Dwyer, 1; Katie Mogen, 1; Amanda Mogen, 1; Tessa Dwyer, 1.
Kills: Haugeberg, 10; Brown, 7; A. Mogen, 7; Taylor Dwyer, 5; K. Mogen, 5; Hopkins, 2.
Assists: Hopkins, 26; Brown, 1; A. Mogen, 1.
Blocks: Brown, 5; K. Mogen, 3; A. Mogen, 3.
Digs: Haugeberg, 23; A. Mogen, 16; Taylor Dwyer, 8; K. Mogen, 8; Tessa Dwyer, 7; Hopkins, 6; Kara Langerud, 4; Brown, 3.