Courtney Russell slammed 16 kills and amassed 14 digs to lead the Brainerd Warriors to a monumental 3-1 victory over the Alexandria Cardinals in a Central Lakes Conference match Thursday at Brainerd High School.
The victory snapped Brainerd's 19-match losing streak against the Cardinals. Brainerd last defeated Alexandria 3-2 Sept. 11, 2003. The victory in 2003 halted a 38-match losing streak against the Cardinals.
Brainerd dropped the first set Thursday 25-21 before regrouping for 25-21, 25-22, 25-20 victories.
"Ball handling and good defense by the whole team helped us," said Warrior head coach Rick Kuehlwein.
Alexandria slipped to 6-5 in the Central Lakes Conference, 13-12 overall, while Brainerd improved to 5-6 in the conference and 8-12 overall.
ADVERTISEMENT
Alexandria 25 21 22 20
Brainerd 21 25 25 25
Brainerd statistics
Cara Helgeson 38 assists, 6 kills
Lillee Hardee 9 kills, 3 blocks
Sophia Urbaniak 6 kills, 1 block
Courtney Russell 16 kills, 14 digs
Jenna Meyer 14 digs
ADVERTISEMENT
Eleanor Peabody 12 digs
Avery Eckman 17 digs
Conference: Brd 5-6. Overall: Brd 8-12. Next: Pine River-Backus in Brainerd Tournament at Forestview Middle School, Baxter, 9 a.m. Saturday.
