The Dell Rapids St Mary Cardinal volleyball team picked up a big Region 4B win over the Howard Tigers on Tuesday, September 21st. The match needed five sets, but the Cardinals won at home by scores of 25-22, 20-25, 25-18, 22-25, 15-5.
In the opening set, St Mary kept about a three-point lead early. The lead grew to six points at 13-7, but the Tigers pulled within a point at 13-12 with a 5-0 run. St Mary kept the lead and continued to keep a two-to-three point advantage. Howard got within a point again at 20-19, but the Cardinals finished the set on a 5-3 run for the win.
The second set went back-and-forth in the early stages. The set was tied a number of times with the latest tie score being 8-8. Howard then went on a 5-0 run for a 13-8 lead. The Cardinals were able to get within a point, but the Tigers held off St Mary in the second set for the 25-20 win.
The Cardinals got out to a big lead in the third set, racing out to a 9-3 advantage. They grew the lead to 10 points at 17-7. The Tigers put together a rally of their own and cut the lead to two points, 17-15, but the Cardinals ended then run and pushed the lead back to six at 21-15. St Mary took the third set 25-18.
Neither team was able to get much of an advantage throughout most of the fourth set. They traded one-point leads and ties until the score was 19-19. The Cardinals scored the next two points to lead 21-19, but Howard finished the set on a 6-1 run for a 25-22 win to force a fifth set.
The Cardinals came out of the set break with high energy and scored the first five points of the fifth set. Howard got the next three points to make the score 5-3, but the Cardinals would not lose the lead. St Mary went on a 9-1 run to lead 14-4 before winning the set and match at 15-5.
Courtney Brown had a monster match for St Mary. She had 24 kills, 28 digs, and three blocks. Maya Heinitz finished with 15 kills, 14 digs, and three ace serves. Brianna Lindeman added 26 set assists, 11 digs, and two ace serves. Addy Gilbert finished with nine kills and two blocks. Ella Griffin had 16 set assists and an ace. Whitney Warwick added 11 digs.
St Mary (9-2) will host the Arlington Cardinals on Thursday, September 23rd.