Two of the top teams in South Dakota volleyball met in Dell Rapids on Thursday, September 10th in what turned out to be a wild night. The #1 team in Class AA, the Harrisburg Tigers, visited the #2 team in Class A, the Dell Rapids Quarriers. The Tigers won the match in four sets by scores of 25-19, 25-14, 25-27, and 25-16, but the night had some unexpected events.
Harrisburg turned an early 4-3 lead to start the first set into a 12-4 lead after an 8-1 run. That lead grew to 18-8 before the Quarriers were able to get settled. Dell Rapids fought back to within six points, 23-17, before the Tigers finished the set at 25-19. Dell Rapids started the second set with a 4-2 lead. They continued to lead at 7-5, but Harrisburg tied the score at 8-8. After a 9-9 tie, the Tigers scored three points in a row for a 12-9 lead. Just as the Tigers were about to serve again, unexpected chaos hit the gym.
One of the basketball hoops gave way and came swinging down from the ceiling. Fortunately the hoop stay attached to the braces and damage was limited mostly to the braces and there were no injuries. However, the excitement turned into scramble for the Dell Rapids administration. After a brief discussion with officials and coaches, a decision was made to move the match into the middle school gym. Thirty-two minutes after the hoop swung down, the match resumed in a new location.
Each team scored a point after play resumed to make the score 13-10. The Tigers then picked up some momentum. They went on a 9-3 run to extend their lead to 22-13 and then added a 3-1 run to end the set at 25-14.
Dell Rapids found their groove in the third set. They started with an early 3-2 lead and slowly extended that lead. The Quarriers led by scores of 11-7, 14-9, and 16-11. Harrisburg would go on a 5-0 run to tie the score 16-16. The Quarriers didn’t let that rally throw them off their game. Dell Rapids regained the lead again at 22-20. The Tigers would once again come back with three straight to take a 23-22 lead. Dell Rapids would tie the score 23-23, and the set would be tied at 24-24 and 25-25. The Quarriers finally got the final two points to take the third set 27-25.
The fourth set started with another 4-2 lead by Dell Rapids. They continued to lead at 6-4 and 8-7. Harrisburg went on a 4-1 lead to go in front for the first time at 11-9. From there the Tigers would build their lead to 20-13. After a 22-16 score, Harrisburg finished the set and match with three straight points for a 25-16 victory.
