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Washburn sweeps Minneapolis City Conference rival Southwest

By Peter Odney, SportsEngine, 09/29/16, 3:45PM CDT

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Lizzy Stark turned in an impressive all-around performance with 14 kills and 19 digs in the Millers' win.


Washburn junior setter Julia Welch notched 20 assists in the Millers' sweep over Southwest to stay on top of the Minneapolis City standings. Photo by Cheryl Myers/SportsEngine

Last fall, the Minneapolis Washburn volleyball team was a nice story. 

The Millers stormed to a 29-0 record before falling to Hopkins in the Class 3A, Section 6 finals, marking the first time the program had advanced past the first round of the playoffs since 2012 and shining a light on the often overlooked Minneapolis City Conference.  

“We don’t play in the most challenging conference, so we don’t get a lot of the looks that some of the other programs do,” Millers coach Mark Nelson said on Thursday night after his team cruised past league rival Minneapolis Southwest in straight sets. 

“We liked it that way,” Nelson added of the relative lack of expectation bestowed upon the Millers during the 2015 season. 

“We really loved that we weren’t getting a lot of hype,” Nelson continued.  

“We just have our quiet little program here and we’re trying to do the best we can.”

After Thursday’s win over Southwest, the Washburn gym was anything but quiet. 

With The Romantics’ 1980 classic “What I Like About You” blaring over the sound system, Nelson allowed his team a few minutes to celebrate before tearing down the nets and clearing the gym. 

Julia Welch was one of the dozen or so players still lingering on the court, a place the junior setter has become comfortable occupying this season. 

“Julia is new to setting,” Nelson said. “She played (defensive specialist) for club, and she set a little bit for (junior varsity) last year.”

Welch's inaugural season at the setter position has been impressive. She handed out 20 assists in Thursday's victory, raising her season total to 221.

“I don’t set for club at all, so I’m learning a lot this year and hopefully improving,” Welch said with a grin. 

Welch has developed a strong connection with junior outside hitter Lizzy Stark, the team’s kills leader with 128. 

“(Stark) and Frances Egan are amazing hitters,” she said. 

“I want to do my best for them, so we’ve been working on connection all the time,” said Welch, added that she and her hitters spend 30-45 minutes in practice just working on timing. 

Stark seems to be enjoying her rapport with Welch.  

“I think she’s done a really good job adapting to the new position,” Stark said after recording a game-high 14 kills. 

Stark’s older sister Rachel, who graduated from Washburn last year, holds the single-season records for kills and service aces, and that status has increased the pressure on the younger sibling.

“There’s a little more pressure on me, just because she was the big hitter last year,” Stark said, adding that she feels she can take on that role now.

“I think I’m doing pretty well.”  


The Lakers' Gabby McCaa (25) and April Houston (3) go up for the block. The Lakers fell in three sets to the Millers. Photo by Cheryl Myers/SportsEngine

First Report

Junior outside hitter Lizzy Stark posted a game-high 14 kills to lead Minneapolis Washburn to a 25-19, 25-23, 25-21 victory over Minneapolis City Conference rival Minneapolis Southwest on Thursday night at Washburn High School. 

Stark set the defensive standard as well, recording 19 digs that were augmented by senior libero Andrea Post’s 15. 

Junior setter Julia Welch dished out 20 assists in the Millers' win. 

The Lakers (6-6, 2-1) were led by senior outside hitter April Houston (six kills) and junior outside hitter Gemma Robey (five kills). 

With the win, the Millers (9-3, 4-0) take sole possession of first place in the conference. 


Washburn junior Rachel Irmiger stretches for the ball. Photo by Cheryl Myers/SportsEngine

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