Brainerd Dispatch: Sports | Brainerd, Minnesota | Brainerd Lakes Area Sports on brainerddispatch.com

Home > SPORTS >

Saturday, October 4, 2008

E-mail

Forums

There's no blocking Wolverines' Berg

By JEREMY MILLSOP

Sports Writer

Can anyone stop Brigetta Berg?

The answer so far is no.

Despite triple blocks and other tricks, few volleyball teams have contained the Wadena-Deer Creek senior.

As evidence, Berg collected 29 digs, 15 kills and seven blocks in W-DC's 3-0 victory over Sebeka Sept. 22. A day later, she tallied 19 kills, 20 digs and seven blocks in a 3-0 victory over New York Mills. In a 3-0 victory over Pine River-Backus Sept. 25, Berg registered 23 kills, 22 digs, nine blocks and five ace serves.

At the Pierz Tournament Sept. 27, which W-DC won, she posted 77 digs, 79 kills and six blocks.

"They try to get a triple block on me and really hug the corners and deep down the line where strong hitters hit," said Berg. "Since I can jump pretty high, I can see over the block usually. If I can't, I have to adjust depending on where they move the blockers."

Brigetta Berg

Year: Senior

School: Wadena-Deer Creek

Sport: Volleyball

Position: Outside hitter

Key stat: Finished the week with 148 digs, 136 kills and 27 blocks

W-DC head coach Sue Volkmann said Berg's quick feet and vertical jump also help.

"We are able to run a lot of quick sets with her," said Volkmann. "Brigetta is a very talented volleyball player, and even if teams key on her she still is able to get around the block and place it to score. Her teammates have also done a good job offensively for us and so when teams go all out to stop Brigetta, others have stepped up. That creates better offensive opportunities for Brigetta."

Berg's talent of making quick decisions on her attack or in the air blossomed last season. Her job is made easier thanks to setter Courtney Volkmann.

"It's always a plus knowing the ball will be there when I get there," said Berg, who advanced to state in the pole vault last season and plays basketball. "Whatever I call, I never have to change my approach because the ball is always there. She's a great setter, especially for how young she is."

Her goals entering the season were to become a better all-around player, play consistently and limit mistakes. She's totaled 329 kills, 23 ace serves, 370 digs and 103 blocks. Last season, she finished with 452 kills, 93 blocks, 475 digs and 27 ace serves to earn Dispatch all-area honors.

W-DC finished 24-5-1 last season. The team stands at 18-3 this season and 4-0 in the Mid-State Conference. It's a pleasant surprise to Berg, who said the 10th-ranked Wolverines are hoping for a state bid despite being young.

"Heading into the season we knew we had to build up to a strong team because we have a lot of younger girls playing this year," she said. "We really worked hard this summer in order to pull that off. It's nice to have the record we have with such young girls on the court. This is the first time we've played together."

Coach Volkmann attributes W-DC's success to Berg's leadership.

"I expected and knew Brigetta was very capable of having a great year this year and she has not disappointed," Volkmann said. "She is very coachable and really wants her team to be successful over anything else.

"There is no doubt she possesses all the necessary skills to be a great team leader. She is outgoing, always encouraging our younger players, which only builds their confidence, and has made our season so far successful."

Other notable performances:

Cross country: Kylie Beltz, Pequot Lakes, won the Pine River-Backus invite.

Christina Mapson, Crosby-Ironton, won the McGregor Invite.

Swimming: Whitney Wiesz, Little Falls, won the 100- and 200-yard freestyle events and was part of the winning 200 free relay against Holdingford.

Tennis: Kelsey Klucas, Aitkin, won the Two River Conference singles title.

Allie Carlson-Ellen Raushel, Aitkin, won the Two River Conference doubles title.

Volleyball: Katie Wangberg, Pine River-Backus, finished with 15 set assists, seven digs, four blocks and one kill against W-DC to reach 1,000 set assists for her career.

Kaylie Hanson, Pillager, finished with 23 digs, 10 kills, 3 ace serves and one block.

Kirsten Noska, Pequot Lakes, finished with 12 kills, 13 digs and two blocks against Greenway.

Katie Hochsprung, Little Falls, finished with 22 kills, 16 digs and one ace serve against Fergus Falls.

Gabrielle Boser, Pierz, finished with 41 set assists, 30 kills, 20 digs, 16 ace serves and five blocks.

JEREMY MILLSOP may be reached at jeremy.millsop@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5856.

Note: Comments are not edited and don't represent the views of The Brainerd Dispatch. Please read our posting rules in the terms of service policy. To report a post that may be inappropriate, click the triangle alert icon.