FERGUS FALLS -- At the worst time possible, Minnesota West outside hitter Andrea Hinkeldey sprained her ankle Friday night, and the Lady Jays lost what head coach Marie Johnson called a “heartbreaker” to MState-Fergus Falls.
Hinkeldey, who finished the match with a team-high 25 kills and 24 digs, went to the bench midway through the fifth and final set. Unfortunately for the Jays, there was a short bench. If Hinkeldey couldn’t return, only five players were available.
After receiving help from the home team trainer, Hinkeldey was able to return to the floor. Of course, she wasn’t at 100 percent, Fergus Falls targeted her, and finally prevailed 15-13.
Scores for the first four games were (West listed first) 25-22, 21-25, 25-16 and 21-25.
“It was absolutely a gritty game,” said Johnson, who added that after Hinkeldey went down, “the rest of the team really stepped it up.”
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Joa Ortiz finished with 14 kills and three blocks for the Lady Jays. Emma Woelber had 53 set assists. Micheine Morales had 18 digs and one ace serve. Hannah Neuman had two blocks and one ace serve, and Woelber had an ace serve.
