CLOQUET, Minn. - It was easy to notice that both Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College volleyball head coach Mike Patenaude and his players had a few butterflies in their stomachs before the school's inaugural match Saturday.
But after making quick work of their first opponent, it's evident those butterflies are now gone.
The Thunder used their solid defensive skills, as well as their relentless offensive attack, to bury Vermilion Community College 3-1 (25-15, 25-14, 15-25, 25-17) before a raucous crowd of 140 fans at Lester Jack Briggs Cultural Center Gymnasium Saturday afternoon.
"This was a very special opportunity for [the girls] to mark this program on the map from day one and they played great," said Patenaude. "It was just an excellent atmosphere and really exciting around here."
Esko native Kayla Deadrick led the way for Thunder, as the middle hitter pounded home 11 kills on the day, while Carlton graduate Karissa Gustafson added eight blocks in the win. Cloquet's Taya Flaim was also rock-solid, as the defensive specialist moved the ball well all day long, while setter Jess Minotte, a graduate of Duluth Central, led the club with 23 set assists in the signature victory.
ADVERTISEMENT
"Our passing was amazing today and was really the difference in the match," said Patenaude, whose girls seemed to never miss a beat throughout the exciting afternoon. "The girls were just in the right positions to make the right plays all game long."
It was just the night before that the Thunder wanted to change up their defense. At first, Patenaude was a little hesitant, but after watching his girls' performance Saturday, he couldn't be more pleased with his new defensive formation.
"We were really on defensively," said Patenaude about his group that he said works drills at practice until they get things perfect. "Our coverage was awesome. We were everywhere."
But even with the program's most historic win under their belt and a stable defense, Patenaude knows that there is still a long season ahead and there are some areas of the game they will definitely need to get better on throughout the fall.
"Offensively we have some work to do," Patenaude said. "I'm an attacking coach and right now we're just hitting the ball. The girls are doing well, but we have some things to improve on."
Nonetheless, Patenaude's girls are off to a memorable start - something he expected all along.
"We were all nervous today, including myself, but it went off without a hitch," he said Saturday. "This is a committed bunch that is dedicated to this program. They're a 'team' and it's been so much fun."
The Thunder - who faced Rainy River Community College Wednesday evening as this edition went to press - will now welcome nationally-ranked Hibbing Community College on Friday, Sept. 4, at 6:30 p.m. and will host Vermilion again Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 6:30 p.m. before they go on a seven-game road trip. All home games this fall will be held at Lester Jack Briggs Cultural Center Gymnasium and admission is free for everyone.
