Detroit Lakes Volleyball Sweeps Perham in Home Opener

Detroit Lakes, Minn (KDLM) – The Laker volleyball team hosted the Perham Yellowjackets in their home opener on Tuesday night at the Lakeshirts Fieldhouse. Detroit Lakes improved their record to 3-0 with a win in straight sets: 25-16, 25-10, and 25-22. The Lakers continued to dominate on their home court, as they have not lost a match at home since the new gym opened last season. They have also yet to lose a set in their new gym.

With a large crowd of Perham supporters and Detroit Lakes supporters, both teams came out to a strong start. The Lakers pulled away in the first set after the score was tied 4-4. Perham was forced to take a timeout after Detroit Lakes went on an 8-1 scoring run. Grace Gunderson led the offense in the first set, finishing with six kills.

The Lakers continued the momentum in the second set and jumped to a 10-3 lead. The Yellowjackets had a tough time in the second set on their serve receive, and the Lakers took advantage by beating the Yellowjackets in the second set 25-10.

Perham found their game in the third set and played their best volleyball of the night. The score was close throughout the third, and Perham took a one-point lead on a Laker error. First-year head coach Rachel Solum called a timeout to get DL back on the same page. Out of the timeout, Detroit Lakes retook the lead thanks to an ace by senior Rylee Johnson. The Lakers went up 19-18, forcing Perham to use a timeout. The Lakers finished the third set with a victory, 25-22.

Gunderson led the Laker attack with 11 kills and three aces. Coach Solum discussed her impact on this year’s team: “She is a great hitter for us. I’m so proud of how she has taken on the leadership role this year.”

Fellow senior captain Ava Jones was also instrumental from the setter position and had a good night at the net, finishing the match with four kills and an ace. Jones has been playing at the varsity level for the last four years, and coach Solum talked about how Jones is always a key reason for the Lakers’ success, “Ava is our leader, and our players always look to her when they need guidance on the court. She never takes a play-off. I’m proud to see her growth from an eighth grader to now.”

The loss drops Perham’s record to 1-2. They return to action on Thursday when they travel to Frazee.

DL will return on the road on Thursday when they travel to Crosby-Ironton for a Mid-State Conference match. Their next home match is Tuesday, September 12th, when they host the state runners-up in Class AA, the Pequot Lakes Patriots.

OTHER LOCAL/SECTION SCORES:

Perham 0, Detroit Lakes 3

Frazee 3, LPA 0

Hawley 0, Moorhead 3

Blackduck 3, Mahnomen-Waubun 0

Rothsay 0, Pelican Rapids 3

Red Lake Falls 3, Crookston 0

EGF 3 , NCEUH 0

Fosston 3, Climax-Fisher 0

Bertha Hewitt 0, Staples-Motley 3

DGF 2 vs WDC 3,

Brandon-Evansville 0 , Henning 3