October 8 MCC at Adrian-Ellsworth
The MCC Rebels were in the midst of their toughest week of the season. The Rebels had lost to RTR on Tuesday and they were playing in Adrian on Thursday against the second place team in the Red Rock Conference in the Dragons a team in which the Rebels had not beat in nine years. The Rebels were then off to the Jimmy John’s Classic in Marshall on Friday and Saturday. The Rebels put together their best regular season game of the year.
The Dragons led the Rebels in the standings by one game. The Rebels had lost to RTR and WWG in the conference while Adrian-Ellsworth had yet to play WWG. With sub-section seedings on the line this would be a big game. The Rebels got off to a terrific start building a four point lead on the serve of Avery Thovson. The Rebels did not slow down until late in the first set. MCC was getting a balanced attack led by Reese Gilbertson, but with plenty of help from Kat Miller and Brielle Plotz.
The Rebels took the first set 25 to 18. The second set was even better for the Rebels as they dominated for a 25 to 17 win.
Set three was a different story as the Dragons came out strong battling back and forth with the Rebels as each team exchanged three point leads back and forth. Late in the third set the Rebels pulled away for a 25 to 19 win and a three to nothing sweep over the Dragons.
It was a strong showing by the Rebels and it showed some depth for the team. Reese Gilbertson led the team in kills but the Rebels had strong performances from Kat Miller whose hitting and blocking was a big difference maker. Brielle Plotz had one of her better games not only as a hitter but as a blocker at the net. Danyel Neilson had a strong defensive game in the back row. Erynn Rohrer and Aubrey Biegler did a great job at the setter position moving the ball around and helping each other when passes were off line. It was about as good a team win as I can remember and the Rebels picked up their biggest conference win of the season.
October 9-10 Jimmy Johns Classic
The MCC Rebel Volleyball team made it through the week with one win and one loss playing two of the top teams in the Red Rock Conference. The Rebels, on Friday and Saturday, played in the Jimmy Johns Classic with 25 teams from around the area. It was the Rebels final tournament of the season as we are two weeks from the regular season coming to an end.
MCC needs every possible win to improve their sub-section 3A South seeding heading into the playoffs.
On Friday night, the Rebels played Windom Area and Hills Beaver Creek, The Rebels opened the tournament with Windom Area - a team they beat in Jackson a few weeks ago. This game was played close but the Eagles got a 2-0 win as they won each game by three points or less.
The Rebels concluded pool play with a 2 games to 1 win over the Wabasso Rabbits. They opened tournament playon Saturday with a 2-1 win over Wabasso before dropping their next two games 2-0 to Cedar Mountain and Montevideo to finish the tournament 2-3 good for a 12th finish among the 24 teams.
Reese Gilbertson had a strong tournament, finishing with 31 kills and 22 digs during the two days. Kat Miller finished with 18 kills and 6 blocks. Erynn Rohrer finished with 58 set assists and 10 aces in the tournament while Aubrey Biegler finished with 42 assists and 5 aces.
The Rebels will play one game on Tuesday against RRC in Lamberton before ending the season with home games against HLOF and Pipestone.
October 13 MCC at RRC
The MCC Rebels were back on the road for the final time in the 2026 volleyball season. The Rebels traveled to Lamberton to take on the Falcons in a Red Rock Conference match up. MCC had three games left in the regular season with the final two games in Slayton. MCC was looking to end the season with a 3-game winning streak to do that they needed to start Tuesday against the Falcons.
With the Falcons hosting parents’ night and senior night, they were looking to get off to a strong start. They came out in the first set to compete and would do just that - at least early on. The Rebels and the Falcons were tied at 4-4 in the first set, but the Rebels got on a roll, led by Reese Gilbertson and Avery Thovson. Gilbertson led MCC with 5 kills and an ace in set one, and the Rebels pulled away. Thovson came up with 3 kills as MCC took the first set 25 to 10. The second set saw the Falcons score more points, but MCC was is in control as Kat Miller came up with a couple big blocks and a couple more kills. MCC took set 2 25 to 17. The Falcons played their best set of the night in the third. Zoey Keck and Paige Wondercheck came up with key kills and a couple aces and RRC was in the game. MCC finished the game strong as the Rebels beat the Falcons 25 to 21 in a 3-game sweep.
The Rebels picked up their 13th win of the season on October 13th. Reese Gilbertson led the Rebels with 11 kills and 2 aces. Aubrey Biegler notched three aces. Avery Thovson had 8 kills and played some of her best volleyball at the net this season.
The Rebels will host Heron Lake Okabena Fulda and Pipestone Area in their final two games of the season. They look to improve their record heading towards the playoffs next week.
