The West Central Trojans and Dell Rapids Quarriers played a hard-fought, exciting match at Dell Rapids High School on Thursday, August 26th. The match went five sets with the Trojans taking the win 21-25, 25-21, 25-22, 21-25, 15-12.
Every single set was back and forth excitement, and the entire crowd was electric from start to finish. Dell Rapids set the tone early in the first set jumping out to a 9-3 lead. The Quarriers never trailed in the first set, but West Central pulled within a point late at 21-20. Dell Rapids held off the rally for the 25-21 win.
Dell Rapids again got out to an early lead, 9-5, in the second set. The Trojans tied the set at 13-13, and the game went back-and-forth from there. West Central eventually built a three-point lead at 21-18 and 22-19, which was enough for them to take the second set 25-21.
The Trojans held the early advantage in the third set, 10-6, but Dell Rapids scored four straight to tie it at 10-10. And again from there, neither team was able to get any separation. Dell Rapids was able to grab a 20-17 lead, but the Trojans rallied for an 8-2 run to take the third set 25-22.
West Central got the early advantage in the fourth set, taking an 8-3 lead. But once again, just as had happened all night long, the set was tied about the midway point at 15-15. The Quarriers took an 18-15 lead only to see West Central regain the lead at 19-18. Dell Rapids then went on a 6-3 run to close out the fourth set to force the fifth and final set.
Dell Rapids struck first with a 4-0 run right away. The Trojans rallied to tie the set at 5-5. The two teams traded points, and the score was tied yet again at 7-7. West Central scored three in a row for a 10-7 lead, but the Quarriers battled back to tie it once again at 12-12. The Trojans then scored the final three points to take the set and the match.
Aubree Miller had 13 kills. McKenna Sichmeller finished with 10 blocks. Jenna Lueth had 12 digs, Hanna Lee had a team-high 25 assists, and Grace Harden had two ace serves.