LAMOURE, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Match 1: Griggs-Midkota 3, Edgeley/Kulm/Montpelier 0
Fourth-seeded Griggs-Midkota won the first match of the day over fifth-seeded Edgeley/Kulm/Montpelier in three straight sets by a score of 25-16, 25-21, 25-16.
The Rebels fought and kept the start of the match with sophomore Mataeya Mathern getting some kills, but it wouldn’t be enough. The Titans’ seniors stepped up in a big way with Jenna Larson being too much for EKM to handle. Junior Asia Becherl was tough to stop at the net as well with senior setter Medora Brandner making hardly any mistakes.
Griggs-Midkota will take on LaMoure-Litchville-Marion tomorrow 25 minutes after the 4:00 game concludes.
Match 2: Oakes 3, Barnes County North 0
Oakes defeated Barnes County North in three straight sets by a final score of 25-22, 25-14, 25-17.
The seventh-seeded Bison fought hard and kept it close the whole first set, but just fell short to the second-seeded Tornadoes. It was tied 22-22, but Oakes scored the final three points to put the set away. In the second set, the Bison once again hung around for a good portion, but the Tornadoes got some kills from senior Abby Cox and junior Laikyn Roney to put them up two sets to none. It was more of the same with BCN fighting strong, but some crucial kills and some Bison mistakes got Oakes their three-set sweep.
Oakes moves on to play Carrington tomorrow in the final match of the evening. As for BCN, they play Ellendale at 4:00 tomorrow.
Match 3: Carrington 3, Ellendale 2
The third-seeded Carrington Cardinals finished up the evening against the sixth-seeded Ellendale Cardinals. The first set was dominated by Carrington’s attacks from junior Kennedy Wendel and senior Sydnie Grager. Ellendale wouldn’t go down quietly, however, as they came back with a hard-fought effort to win the second set with some spectacular play from junior Olivia Hagen and junior Christena Walker. Carrington was not amused in losing the second set and came out with a strong third set and won it handily. In the fourth set, it was back-and-forth just like the second set and went into extra points. Some costly Carrington mistakes and some great clutch kills from Ellendale forced the match into the fifth set. Ellendale expended everything they had in the first four sets and ran out of steam at the finish line. Grager and junior Haley Wolsky were too much to handle and Carrington survived the upset.