The Dell Rapids St Mary Cardinals got behind by two sets but rallied for an exciting win over the Arlington Cardinals on Thursday, September 26th. St Mary won by scores of 11-25, 23-25, 25-16, 25-18, and 15-13.
Arlington jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead to start the match. They stayed in front by five points, 10-5, before going on an 8-0 run for an 18-5 lead. Arlington finished the set with a 7-3 run for a 25-11 win. After a 3-3 tie to start the second set, Arlington held a slim one point lead at 9-8 and 12-11. The score was tied at 14-14, 16-16, and 19-19. Arlington then scored the next three points to take a 22-19 lead. St Mary got within a point, 24-23, but Arlington scored the final point for a 25-23 set win and a 2-0 lead.
St Mary was able to regroup to start the third set. After a slim 3-2 lead, St Mary went on a 7-1 run for a 10-3 lead. They continued their rally to a 14-5 lead. Arlington closed the gap to 17-13, but St Mary finished in an 8-3 run for a 25-16 win. Each team held a lead in the fourth set. After an early 3-3 score, Arlington took an 11-9 lead. They continued to lead at 14-12, but St Mary went on a 4-0 run for a 16-14 lead. St Mary stayed in front. They led 21-18 before scoring the final four points for a 25-18 win. The win tied the set 2-2 to force a fifth set.
Arlington started the fifth and final set on a 3-0 run. St Mary tied the score 3-3. The score would be tied again at 5-5 and 9-9. Arlington went on a 3-0 run for a 12-9 lead. St Mary responded with a 3-0 run of their own to tie the score 12-12. They continued the run to a 14-12 lead. Arlington scored the next point to make the score 14-13, but St Mary closed out the match with a point to win 15-13.
Megan Geraets had 16 kills and eight digs. Emersyn Herber finished with 15 kills, 10 digs, and three blocks. Brianna Griffin added 13 kills and 22 digs. Harper Werdel had nine kills and four digs. Madala Hanson had 48 set assists and 21 digs. Stephenie Geraets had eight set assists, four kills, and five digs. Jodie Klein had a team-high 35 digs, Jenna Miller had 19 digs, and Reagan Griffin had 15 digs.
