Editor’s note: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic suspending national and local sports until further notice, the Minot Daily News sports department would like to use this unprecedented time to gather and share some memorable sports stories that have impacted you, our loyal readers. Click here for more information about this new initiative.

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Alex’s Tale of the Tape #75, Date: Sept. 20, 2016

The Minot High School volleyball team picks up a four-set win over Williston by scores of 25-16, 25-15, 23-25 and 25-11.

Everything was smooth sailing until the third set. Williston halted Minot’s offensive firepower of Sydney Beck, Kali Askvig and Elise Klein to steal a frame.

MHS setter Riley Irmen and libero Rylee Terrel got the Majettes back on track in set No. 4 to wrap up the home win. Caitlyn Messner provided the match-winning point with a kill straight down the middle.

“They kind of make their own mess and have to learn how to get out of it, and I think that’s one thing they did learn tonight,” MHS head coach Sherry Carlson said. “We could be ahead by only two or three (points), and they play entirely different… We just have to find that consistency.”

Alex’s Tale of the Tape #768, Date: Oct. 29, 2017

Senior day for the Minot State women’s soccer team was nothing short of bizarre. Before reaching a scoreless stalemate at the end of regulation, a brief hail storm battered the players, coaches and spectators at Herb Parker Stadium.

Reliable freshman Sofia Lewis came through and saved senior day with an overtime winner against MSU Moorhead, 1-0. Haley Berryman assisted Lewis on her team-leading 12th goal of the season.

Lewis provided this off-the-cuff quote after the game about the marble-sized hail.

“That was the weirdest thing that has ever occurred,” Lewis said. “It was like Satan’s tears. It was pelting my face and I was like, ‘What? Are you going to stop the game or are we going to pretend like this isn’t happening?'”

Alex’s Tale of the Tape #374, Date: Mar. 11, 2017

Three-peat complete for the Minot High School boys basketball team. The Magicians captured their third straight Class A state championship with a 56-42 victory over Bismarck Century. The program’s 17th state title.

KyJuan Johnson scored a team-high 21 points. Chandler Albertson, Peyton Lamoureux, Lofton Klabunde and Alex Schimke all made impact plays throughout the contest. Standout forward Justin Engg (12 points, nine rebounds) threw the ball up toward the rafters as time expired.

Three in a row. It’s a feat that has only been done once before in North Dakota history, over half a century ago.

“It’s phenomenal,” MHS coach Dean Winczewski said. “What makes it so special is that you notice the work that the kids put in and the attitude they have to be successful as a team. It isn’t just about having the best players. It’s about having the right group of kids that are willing to sacrifice for each other and do whatever is necessary.”