Esko sweeps rival Cloquet

After losing two sets earlier this year to Esko, Cloquet was hoping to rebound Tuesday night as the Eskomos and the Lumberjacks met in a cross- town rivalry match at the Cloquet Middle School.

Esko defeated Cloquet 2-0 in the North Branch Tournament less than two weeks ago and continued with their impressive season as they defeated Cloquet 25-17, 25-21, and 25-16 to improve to 13-4 overall on the season. The host Lumberjacks saw their season record drop to 6-10.

The Eskomos' losses have all come with top- ranked teams in the state. The team started fast Tuesday night, picking up the eight point 25-17 win in the first set.

"Coming into Cloquet we knew they were going to be ready to play and this is always one of the matches where momentum can take over and can make any team lose focus," Eskomos head coach Desi DeLeon said. "Cloquet is a young team and we knew we had the experience that would help us win."

"Brenna Stark played outstanding," DeLeon said. "She finished with 30 set assists and also added nine digs in the victory."

Cloquet and Esko battled hard in the second set of the match, with Esko coming away with a closer four-point victory at 25-21.

"I think we attacked the net well in the second set," DeLeon said. "Taiya Gregg and Zoie Johnson had some huge kills for us down the stretch of the second set."

With Esko up 2-0 heading into the third set, Esko used the momentum to start quickly in the nine-point victory.

"I thought Gregg came up big with some huge blocks at the net when we needed them," DeLeon said. "It was a great team win, we passed the ball extremely well and took advantage of some unforced errors by the Lumberjacks."

Morgan Van Reese paced Cloquet with 10 digs on the night while Elli Willoughby kicked in with nine digs in the losses.

With the win, Esko improves to 6-1 in section play. The Eskomos play another sectional opponent Thursday night when they travel to Hibbing.

The Lumberjacks fell to a section record of 3-4. Cloquet will host Duluth Denfeld atThursday night at the Cloquet Middle School gymnasium.

Carlton rolls

Carlton defeated Cherry in three games Tuesday: 25-15, 25-21 and 25-7. Taylor Nelson led with 11 kills followed by Abby Mickle's eight and Ava Grondahl's seven. Brynne Mickle had 31 assists.

Monday games

Cromwell-Wright swept Lakeview Christian. Josie Jokinen went 14-14 on serves while Andrea Pocernich went 10-10. Taya Hakamaki had 11 kills.

South Ridge swept McGregor. Abby Almer and Camryn Olsen each had 8 kills. Hailey Chandler had 21 assists.

Wrenshall swept East Central. Brooke Kent had 22 kills and 12 digs. Maggie Sowada had 32 digs.