WATERTOWN -- After a slow start, Hamlin mounted a comeback. The Chargers won the final two sets to take down Winner in five sets in the first round of the Class A state tournament on Thursday. The set scores were 14-25, 25-17, 15-25, 25-18 and 15-11.
The Chargers finished strong, pulling away in the fourth set and starting fast in the final set to stave off a loss. Hamlin took early leads of 4-2, 7-3 and 9-4 in the decisive set. Ellie Brozik’s kill cut Winner’s deficit to 13-11, but Hamlin won the final two points to knock off the Warriors.
Ally Abraham recorded 15 kills for Hamlin, while Ashtyn Abraham and McKenna Prouty both had nine kills in the win. Grace Everson (22) and Kami Wadsworth (13) both recorded double-digit assists, while Wadsworth also added 19 digs. Ashtyn Abraham paced the Chargers with 31 digs. Zoey Ruotsalainen and Taylor Koisti each added 18 digs in the win.
Brozik put down a team-best 28 kills to go with 12 digs for the Warriors. Kalla Bertram also added 14 kills and a team-best 25 digs. Maggie LaCompte finished with 20 digs and Mackenzie Levi dished out 45 assists and 15 digs. Jenna Hammerbeck added 13 digs.
Hamlin (20-4) plays Sioux Falls Christian at 5 p.m. today in the semifinals. Winner (22-5) takes on Madison at noon today.
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