Perham Edges Detroit Lakes in Thrilling Five-Set Volleyball Clash

The Perham Yellowjackets triumphed over the Detroit Lakes Lakers in a tightly contested five-set volleyball match on September 15, 2023. After establishing a strong 2-0 lead, Perham faced a spirited comeback from the Lakers, who won the third and fourth sets. Ultimately, the Yellowjackets secured the victory with a 15-12 score in the final set, marking the Lakers’ fourth loss of the season by the narrow margin of 3-2.

Early in the match, Perham took control, with Addi Hackel demonstrating her defensive prowess by recording four blocks in the opening set. This effort helped the Yellowjackets gain a 9-6 advantage, which increased to 13-7 before the Lakers closed the gap. With Talyn Anderson serving three consecutive aces, Detroit Lakes tied the set at 21, but Perham clinched it 25-23.

The second set showcased Perham’s dominance as they capitalized on a 7-0 serving run from Khyla Wolfe, extending their lead to 17-9. The Yellowjackets then claimed the set 25-15, heading into a potential decisive third set with a commanding 2-0 lead.

Detroit Lakes, however, rallied in the third set, with Anderson’s powerful kills fueling their comeback. The Lakers managed to turn a 7-2 deficit into a 25-21 victory, thanks to a well-timed ace from Tenley Bement and a strong performance from Anderson, who finished the night with a total of 19 kills.

The drama continued in the fourth set, where Detroit Lakes built a 19-12 lead, only to see Perham tie it at 21. An error by the Yellowjackets allowed the Lakers to claim a 26-24 win, forcing a decisive fifth set.

Both teams displayed resilience, but Perham head coach Paige Thompson noted that her players had to overcome mental hurdles after their strong start. “We started off strong, going up 2-0,” Thompson said. “In Set 3, we had an injury that forced multiple substitutions, which got us in our own heads. I’m just really proud of the fight that they had to carry the momentum into set five.”

Despite battling back, Lakers head coach Rachel Solum expressed frustration over the team’s inability to close out matches. “They fought back and made plays when they needed to,” Solum remarked. “But it’s hard to fall short again in the fifth set. We need to figure out how to win that fifth set.”

In the final set, key plays from Perham’s Joslyn Griffin and Hackel sealed the victory. The duo combined for 29 kills and effectively blocked Detroit Lakes’ attacks at the net. Griffin also contributed significantly to the defense with a team-high 17 digs, while Hackel added 16.

The Lakers’ efforts were spearheaded by Anderson and teammate Reller, who together amassed 32 kills. Their performance kept Detroit Lakes competitive, but the team is now looking to regroup. “Our attackers found the ball a little bit more in Sets 3 and 4,” Solum noted. “But we need to change the tempo of our play to keep the defense guessing.”

As the season progresses, Detroit Lakes (4-8) will host the No. 5-ranked Sauk Rapids-Rice team, while Perham (7-5) will have a short break before facing Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton on September 18. Each team aims to build on their experiences as they continue to navigate the challenges of the season.