First-year Hermantown volleyball head coach Jessica Williams admits that she’s a bit surprised by her team’s 14-1 start.
“I knew we’d be good and that we’d play hard, but I didn’t expect this strong of a start,” said Williams, who served as the Hawks' JV head coach the previous three seasons. “We haven’t changed a lot of things and the transition has been smooth for everyone. We’re a senior-laden, high-energy team and it’s carried us a long way. We’re all having a lot of fun.
“Elle Jokinen and Emilie Rish, our senior captains, are great all-around players and elite leaders. Alyssa Yokem, another senior, is an elite back row passer, and our setters are doing well.”
The Hawks, who defeated Pine City 3-0 ( on Monday and Rock Ridge 3-0 Tuesday, will host defending Section 7AAA champion Grand Rapids (14-2) Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. The winner will have a clear path to the Lake Superior Conference title.
“(Grand) Rapids is always the biggest game of the year,” said Williams. “We defeated them in five sets during the regular season a year ago, when they advanced to state. They always have a solid team, very disciplined and consistent, and we’ll have to play one of our best matches of the season to defeat them.”
The Hawks’ 3-2, come-from-behind home victory against Esko was an early turning point for the team, Williams said.
“We lost the first two games and weren’t playing with any energy,” she said. “But, wow, did we come firing back in the final three games to win it before a large, fired-up crowd. The come-from-behind win really kickstarted us emotionally, when we proved that we can get down early and come back.”
Hermantown’s final regular season games are against Grand Rapids and at Carlton (Oct. 10) and at Cloquet (Oct. 18). Carlton is 5-7 and Cloquet is 9-2.
The upcoming Section 7AAA post-season tournament will be highly competitive, Williams said.
“Rapids, Cloquet, us and about three other teams should be in the mix for the championship,” she added.
The Hawks are drawing near-record crowds for their home matches.
“Everyone seems to enjoy watching us win,” said Williams, who expects the largest crowd of the season for Tuesday’s match against Grand Rapids.
📷 Howie Hanson