Photo taken and used with permission by Tammy Chamley
The Dell Rapids St Mary Cardinals won their homecoming volleyball match against the De Smet Bulldogs in four sets on Thursday, October 14th. The Cardinals won by set scores of 25-23, 25-22, 21-25, and 25-14.
The first set was close throughout the entire game. Neither team had a lead of more than two points until the Cardinals took a 22-19 lead late. The Bulldogs tied the score at 22-22 and then again at 23-23, but the Cardinals scored the final two points for the win.
St Mary raced out to an early 6-2 lead to start the second set. De Smet tied the game at 6-6 and then took an 11-8 lead. The Bulldogs built three-point leads of 14-11 and 18-15, but both times the Cardinals tied the score. St Mary went on a run to take a 21-19 lead and finished the set with a 25-21 win.
De Smet started the third set on a 7-1 run for an early lead. After the Cardinals pulled within two points at 7-5, the Bulldogs were able to keep about a five-point lead throughout most of the set. The lead grew to nine points at 22-13, and the Bulldogs also led 24-17. The Cardinals rallied with four straight points, but De Smet finished the set with at 25-21 win.
St Mary built a big lead to start the fourth set and led 11-1. The Cardinals cruised from there for the 25-14 set and match win.
Courtney Brown led the team with 19 kills and 23 digs in the match. Maya Heinitz had 10 kills and 17 digs. Brianna Lindeman finished with 18 set assists, 14 digs, five kills, two blocks, and two ace serves. Ella Griffin had nine set assists, eight digs, and four kills. Brianna Griffin had five kills, four blocks, and two digs. Addy Gilbert also had five kills. Madala Hanson added 16 set assists and seven digs. Josie Baumberger had eight digs, and Whitney Warwick finished with five. Jaycee Tebay had a team-high five ace serves.