The Dell Rapids St Mary Cardinals played a road match at the Howard Tigers on Tuesday, September 20th. The Tigers took the match in four sets by scores of 25-21, 25-23, 23-25, and 27-25.
In the opening set, Howard built an early lead at 6-2 and extended it to 12-4. The Cardinals made a comeback and pulled within a point, 15-14. Howard, however, responded with a 7-2 run to extend their lead to 22-16. The also led 24-18 before St Mary scored three in a row, but the Tigers held for the first set win.
The early part of the second set went back-and-forth between the two teams. St Mary was able to take a 10-6 lead and also held a lead of 15-10. The Tigers eventually tied the match 18-18 and then went ahead themselves, 23-20. The Cardinals tied the score with three in a row at 23-23, but Howard won the final two points for a 2-0 set lead.
Howard took an early lead, 6-2, in the third set. St Mary tied the score 7-7 only to have the Tigers go back ahead by six points, 15-9. St Mary rallied again to tie the score 15-15. Howard regained the lead at 18-15, but the Cardinals ended the third set on a 10-5 run to win 25-23 and force a fourth set.
After a small 4-2 lead by the Cardinals, Howard went on a 7-0 run for a 9-4 lead. The lead grew to seven points at 21-14. The Tigers continued to lead 24-17, but St Mary came roaring back and tied the score 24-24 with seven straight points. After a 25-25 tie, Howard won the final two points to win the set and the match.
Maya Heinitz finished with 20 kills, 18 digs, and two ace serves. Ella Griffin added 14 kills, five digs, and an ace. Brianna Griffin had 10 kills, eight digs, and two blocks. Brianna Lindeman had a team-high 38 set assists, 11 digs, two blocks, two kills, and two ace serves. Josie Baumberger had 12 digs, and Whitney Warwick finished with nine. Madala Hanson had nine digs, two set assists, and two ace serves. Jaycee Tebay had a team-high three blocks along with two kills.
