The 2024 Dell Rapids Quarrier volleyball team did something that no other volleyball team in school history had done: win a state championship. The Quarriers took the State A title on Saturday, November 23rd with a four-set win over the Dakota Valley Panthers at the Premier Center in Sioux Falls. Dell Rapids lost just one set in the three matches at the state tournament.
Dell Rapids 3, Winner 0
From the very first set of the tournament, the Quarriers made it clear they were not going to be stopped. On Thursday, November 21st, Dell Rapids made quick work of the sixth-seeded Winner Warriors. The Quarriers opened the match with a 7-2 run. They kept rolling through the set building a 16-5 lead before winning 25-8. The second set started with a 4-4 tie. After trailing 7-6, Dell Rapids went on a 7-0 run for a 13-7 lead. Dell Rapids stayed in front and took the win 25-18. Another quick start in the third set put Dell Rapids in front 6-1. Winner cut the lead to 10-7, but the Quarriers were able to pull away by ending the match on a 15-4 run for a 25-11 victory.
Madelynn Henry finished with 18 kills, five ace serves, and three digs. Sophi Randall had 26 set assists, eight kills, two ace serves, six digs, and three blocks. Lauryn Kloth also had eight kills with two digs and four blocks. Karie Ingalls addedd six kills, five digs, and two blocks. Clara Justice ended with two kills and seven digs. Alaina Wolff had nine set assists and seven digs.
Dell Rapids 3, Hamlin 0
On Friday against Hamlin, the Quarriers started the first set with a 6-3 run. Dell Rapids slowly extended the lead to 16-8 before taking the first set with a 25-11 win. The Quarriers started the second set with another quick run, this time 7-2. Hamlin cut the lead to 8-6, but Dell Rapids responded with an 11-1 run for a 19-7 lead. The Quarriers took the second set 25-9. The Chargers opened the third set with a 4-2 lead. Their lead grew to 9-5. Dell Rapids went on a 5-1 run to tie the score 10-10. They followed that with a 9-2 run to take a 19-12 lead. The second run put them in front for good as they won the third set 25-16.
Henry had 10 kills, three ace serves, and four digs. Randall finished with eight kills, 20 set assists, and eight digs. Kloth tallied five kills, two ace serves, two digs, and four blocks. Ingalls also had five kills with five digs and five ace serves. Justice had three kills, seven ace serves, six digs, and two blocks. Peyton Hohn also finished with three kills. Wolff had four set assists and nine digs.
Dell Rapids 3, Dakota Valley 1
The Panthers delivered a quick blow to start the championship match on Saturday. Dakota Valley started with a 6-1 run. The Panthers continued to lead by five at 11-6. The Quarriers kept chipping away at the lead and eventually tied the score 16-16. Dell Rapids then went on a 5-0 run to take a 21-16 lead. That run kept them in the lead the rest of the first set for a 25-21 win. The second set started with a 5-1 run by Dell Rapids. The Quarriers kept the lead to an 11-6 score. The Panthers went on a 5-0 run to tie the score 11-11. Dell Rapids responded with a 5-1 run to go back in front 16-12. Dakota Valley got within a point three times at scores of 18-17, 20-19, and 21-20. Dell Rapids was able to extend their lead to 23-20, but the Panthers got within a point again, at 23-22. The Quarriers would hold the lead to take the second set 25-23.
Dell Rapids looked to be headed to a straight set victory with a quick 5-1 lead to start the third set. The Panthers were able to rebound and went on a 9-1 run for a 10-6 lead. The Quarriers were only able to get within two points the rest of the set at 13-11. The Panthers would win the third set 25-16 to force a fourth set. Dell Rapids shook off the third set and started the fourth set with a 7-0 run. The Quarriers would not let the Panthers get any momentum and stayed in front by seven or more points the rest of the match to a 25-11 win to claim the title.
Randall finished with four kills, 40 set assists, 11 digs, and five blocks in the championship match. Henry had 24 kills, eight digs, and three blocks. Kloth added seven kills, seven digs, and seven blocks. Ingalls ended with five kills, two ace serves, and 13 digs. Hohn also had five kills with two blocks. Wolff had four set assists, three ace serves, and 19 digs. Justice ended with two kills and seven digs.
Henry, Kloth, and Randall were all named to the 2024 South Dakota State A All-Tournament Team. The Quarriers finished the season with an overall record of 32-3.
