GOLDEN VOLLEYBALL

Blooming Prairie setter Macy Lembke reached the 1,000 set assists mark late last month after notching the milestone during a 2-3 loss to Tri-City United.

Lembke was honored prior to Blooming Prairie’s home opener against Goodhue last week and received a golden volleyball as a token of her achievements with the team.

“It was really cool. I was already excited because it was our first home game, and then [coach] Gina [Hendrickson] came out and gave a really nice speech before the game. I really appreciated it,” said Lembke.

According to Hendrickson, adding to the fun of Lembke’s accomplishment was the fact that her 1,000^th set assist went to “long-time teammate and good friend, Addison Doocy.”

“I’m really proud of Macy. She has really grown in this role. We talk all the time about how we don’t want a setter just to set the ball, but we want an offensive threat. Her shot selection is great, and even if she doesn’t get the kill herself, her play disrupts things on the other side of the net. We couldn’t do it without her,” said Hendrickson.

The senior has been a staple on Blooming Prairie’s roster throughout her high school career and has been a leader for the Awesome Blossoms both vocally and with her play.

As one of five seniors and returning letter winners, Lembke has had to help lead her team from the front to help her squad grind out wins in a stacked Gopher Conference.

After graduating 11 seniors a season ago, the Blossoms lost a lot of their height at the front of the net, an attribute that Hendrickson noted has changed the Awesome Blossoms’ style of play in 2023.

“We know we’re going to have to cycle the ball and wear teams down. As long as we can possess the ball and get it over the net cleanly, we’re going to capitalize on other teams’ mistakes,” said Hendrickson.

Enter Lembke’s valuable skillset at the setter position.

The senior’s ability to find soft spots in opposing defenses not only creates scoring opportunities for the Blossoms, but also opens up more space for her outside hitters.

Doocy, Forsberg, and sophomore Claire Schwarz have been the primary beneficiaries of Lembke’s sets, with the latter earning more and more opportunities early in her career.

Hendrickson spoke about Lembke’s trust with her teammates, highlighting the fact that she has not only looked to long-time teammates Doocy and Forbserg for their reliable hitting, but has also trusted Schwarz to make plays in big spots.

Lembke and the Blossoms will hit the court next for a home game against Hayfield on Thursday.