Volleyball: PL’s Martini named area player of year

Following in the footsteps of 2020 honoree Lydia Hubbard, Maci Martini is the second consecutive Patriot to be named the Brainerd Dispatch’s All-Area Volleyball Player of the Year.

The Pequot Lakes’ junior captain led the Patriots to a 24-7 record and one set shy of another state tournament appearance.

Martini led the area in kills with 420 in 86 sets played which averaged to 4.9 per set. She also had a kill percentage of 32.7%.

She also tallied 314 digs in the back row – three shy of the team lead – and had 58 ace serves and 21 blocks.

Martini earned All-State honors as well as being All-Mid-State Conference MVP. She was an all-tournament team selection at the 2021 Class 2A Showcase and again at the St. Michael Albertville 32-team tournament.

Martini and two other Patriots were named to the Dispatch’s All-Area First Team, as were two members of the Pine River-Backus team.

Outside hitter Ella Kratochvil and setter Abi Martin were the first team members for Pequot Lakes, while the Tigers were represented by setter Alaura Dahl and middle hitter Hannah Barchus.

One member of each team – Kelsi Martini in Pequot Lakes and Claire Dahl for PR-B - were members of the All-Area Second Team.

Players were nominated by their coaches and voted on by the Dispatch sports staff.

First Team

Maci Martini, Pequot Lakes, junior, outside hitter

Played 86 sets and finished with 420 kills (4.9 per set, 32.7 kill percentage), 314 digs (3.7 per set), 21 blocks and 58 ace serves (91.5 serve percentage).

Ella Kratochvil, Pequot Lakes, sophomore, outside hitter

Played 86 sets and finished with 276 kills (3.2 per set, 23.9 kill percentage), 213 digs (2.5 per set), 28 blocks and 22 ace serves (83 serve percentage)

Abi Martin, Pequot Lakes, junior, setter

Played 86 sets and finished with 822 set assists, 194 digs (2.3 per set), 18 blocks and 33 ace serves (90 serve percentage)

Alaura Dahl, Pine River-Backus, senior, setter

Played 89 sets and finished with 30 kills, 234 digs (2.6 per set), 685 set assists, nine blocks and 36 ace serves (92.7 serve percentage).

Hannah Barchus, Pine River-Backus, senior, middle hitter

Played 89 sets and finished with 294 kills (3.3 per set), 290 digs (3.3 per set), 62 blocks, eight set assists and 41 ace serves (90.5 serve percentage).

Second Team

Kelsi Martini, Pequot Lakes, sophomore, libero

Played 86 sets and finished with 317 digs (3.7 per set), 40 set assists and 34 ace serves (96.5 serve percentage).

Claire Dahl, Pine River-Backus, senior, outside hitter

Played 89 sets and finished with 196 kills (2.2 per set), 432 digs (4.9 per set), 24 blocks, five set assists and 80 ace serves – most in the area. (87.2 serve percentage).

1/4: PR-B's Hannah Barchus passes the ball as the Tigers defeated the Trojans on Tuesday, Oct. 12. Ashley Smith / Echo Journal Correspondent

2/4: PR-B's Claire Dahl hits the ball while Patriots' Abi Martin and Grace Hoffard go up for the block in the Tigers' loss to the Patriots on Tuesday, Sept. 21. Ashley Smith / Echo Journal Correspondent

3/4: Ella Kratochvil of Pequot Lakes hits the ball against the Brainerd Warriors during a volleyball match Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, at Pequot Lakes High School. Steve Kohls / Brainerd Dispatch

4/4: Pine River-Backus's Alaura Dahl hits the ball against Braham Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021, at Crosby-Ironton High School. Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch