In a Region 3B tournament game of evenly matched teams, #4 seed Ethan Rustlers defeated #5 Dell Rapids St Mary Cardinals in Chester on Tuesday, November 2nd. The match was close as expected, but the Rustlers were victorious in the five-set match.
Ethan got out to an early lead in the opening set which was enough to give them a 25-22 win. The Cardinals pulled within a point a couple of times in the set, but Ethan was able to hold them for the win. The second set was close throughout as well, but the Cardinals took a 24-20 lead. After Ethan tied the score at 24-24, St Mary scored the final two points for a 26-24 win.
St Mary continued the momentum into the third set. They were able to take the match advantage after a 25-23 win in the third set. The Rustlers got out to an early 11-5 lead in the fourth set. The Cardinals scored the next three points to pull within three points at 11-8, but Ethan then went on a big run. The Rustlers outscored St Mary 8-1 for a 19-9 lead. Ethan won the fourth set 25-12. That momentum carried over into the fifth set. Ethan led 6-1, and the Cardinals could not close the gap as the Rustlers won the fifth set 15-7 to win the match.
Courtney Brown finished with 20 digs and 15 kills to lead the team in both categories. Ella Griffin had 11 kills, 11 set assists, seven digs, and four ace serves. Maya Heinitz had 14 digs, 10 kills, and two ace serves. Brianna Lindeman added 22 set assists, 14 digs, eight kills, and three ace serves. Addy Gilbert finished with six digs and four kills. Brianna Griffin had five kills and two digs. Madala Hanson had 15 set assists and four digs. Josie Baumberger added 19 digs, and Jaycee Tebay had two digs and two ace serves.
The Cardinals finished with an overall record of 16-11.