Bearcats sweep Knights and Eagles to take on Falcons at UMC

By Coach Tina Turn
KCC vs. Climax/Fisher
The Bearcats closed out their regular season on Monday, Oct. 14, followed by the MEA long weekend. After the break, KCC took time to both rest and recover from a team-wide illness and prepare for the playoffs. Their first post-season test came on Wednesday, October 23, when they faced Climax/ Fisher in the Section 8A play-in match.
Climax/Fisher, the No. 8 seed, had earned their spot by defeating the No. 9 seed Stephen-Argyle Storm on Monday, Oct. 21. However, the Knights struggled against the No. 1 seeded Bearcats once they made the trip north to Hallock.
The opening rotations were slow for both teams, but KCC quickly found their rhythm in the second go-round. Senior Morgan Turn led the offensive charge, recording seven kills by finding open spots on the court. Junior middle hitter Kaydence White added four kills, while senior Lauryn Whitlock and junior Hanna Warnke contributed three and two kills, respectively. A well-executed on-two set from junior setter Afton Lindgren to Turn helped the Bearcats secure the first set 25-13.
In the second set, seniors Berlyn Strege and White powered the Bearcat offense with four kills each. White also made an impact defensively with a few key blocks at the net. KCC’s serving game was strong, with four aces recorded, and Lindgren closed out the set with an on-two kill from Turn, sealing the 25-15 win.
Set three saw Climax/Fisher falter early, struggling with their first two passes off of Turn’s serves, which ended in KCC aces. White then stepped up to the service line and delivered eight consecutive serves, further disrupting the Knights’ serve receive. White added six more kills in the set, but it was Turn’s final kill down the line that clinched the match and ended Climax/Fisher’s season. The Bearcats won the set 25-12.
The Bearcats displayed a well-rounded team effort in their first post-season game, serving at a high 96% efficiency with 11 aces. They met all of their statistical goals, with a strong offense and fast-paced defense laying the groundwork for what they hope will be a deep playoff run.
KCC will next face the Red Lake Falls Eagles, who upset Lake of the Woods, on Friday, October 25, with the Bearcats hosting the #5 seeded Eagles.

KCC vs. RLF
In Section 8A quarterfinal action, the top-seeded KCC Bearcats hosted the No. 5 seed, the Red Lake Falls Eagles, in Hallock on Friday, Oct. 25. Both teams were fighting for a place in the semifinal matchup at UMC.
The showdown began with high energy, as the Bearcats and Eagles battled point for point early in the first set. Down 11-15, RLF took a timeout, but it did little to cool down the Bearcats, who held the Eagles to just 3 more points, closing the set 25-14. Junior middle hitter Kaydence White led KCC’s offense with impressive intensity, slamming down 9 kills to set the tone.
Senior setter Morgan Turn opened the second set with a blistering 11-point service streak, repeatedly feeding White, who kept finding the floor with her attacks. White’s 6th kill of the set was an unforgettable milestone—her 1,000th career kill—which brought the packed home gym to its feet in celebration. Riding the wave of momentum, KCC coasted to a decisive 25-6 win, deflating the Eagles.
Heading into the third set, the Bearcats expected a stronger response from RLF, and they got it. The Eagles pushed back in the longest, hardest-fought set of the night, even holding a slim lead as they reached 15 points first. But with smart serving by junior setter Afton Lindgren, the Bearcats turned the tide. Leading 20-17, KCC saw junior middle hitter Hanna Warnke take over at the service line, guiding the team through the final stretch for a 25-17 victory.
The Bearcats showcased impressive efficiency, posting a remarkable .45 hitting percentage with minimal errors. Though the Eagles’ passing was sharp, KCC’s 93% serving kept the pressure on, contributing to 4 aces and solid overall control. With serve receive meeting their target and 5 crucial blocks on the night, the Bearcats’ overall game stayed strong.
We played with poise. Red Lake Falls came ready to compete, but the girls stayed steady under pressure, stuck to the game plan and made adjustments when it mattered. It was an incredible moment to see White reach her 1,000th kill milestone in front of a full gym. We’ll savor this win for now, but it’s back to work Monday, Oct. 28 as we prepare for the semifinals against the No. 2 seed, the Fertile-Beltrami Falcons.

Click on the link to view individual stats for these two games: VB stats CF and RLF