The Dell Rapids St Mary Cardinals played 10 sets in a span of about 24 hours. The Cardinals traveled to Canistota on Monday, September 23rd and then hosted the Howard Tigers on Tuesday, September 24th.
St Mary lost a five-set match to the Hawks in a make-up from earlier in the season. The Hawks cruised to a 25-13 win in the first, and then took the second set in extra time at 30-28. The Cardinals fought back to win the third set at 26-24. St Mary was down to match point at 24-19 in the fourth set, but rallied for six straight points to take a 25-24 lead. The Cardinals eventually won the fourth set 27-25. Unfortunately for the Cardinals, the Hawks took the fifth and final set by a score of 15-13.
Courtney Brown had 12 kills and 23 digs in the match. Ella Heiniz finished with seven kills, 19 set assists, and 16 digs. Ella Griffin had six kills, 12 set assists, and nine digs. Addy Gilbert also had six kills. Macie Brown had a team-high 28 digs. Maya Heinitz added 23 digs and five ace serves. Paige Bunkers finished with seven ace serves.
The Cardinals then had to host the Tigers the next night. Again the Cardinals got locked into a five-set match, and also for the second night in a row, St Mary found themselves down two sets. Howard took the first two sets in extra time by scores of 26-24 and 27-25. The Cardinals rallied to take the third set 25-22 and then also won the fourth set 25-19. St Mary rode the momentum and took the fifth set and match by a score of 15-10.
C. Brown led the team again in kills with 13 on the night along with 29 digs. E. Heinitz finished with 11 kills, 21 set assists, 28 digs, and five ace serves. Griffin added nine kills, 15 set assists, and 17 digs. Gilbert had nine kills and nine digs. Tyra Harrington added seven kills. M. Heinitz led the team with 30 digs. M. Brown tallied 21 digs on the night.
St Mary (7-5) will host Elkton-Lake Benton on Thursday, September 26th.