The De Smet Bulldogs traveled to Howard to face the Tigers to start the 2023 season on Tuesday, August 22nd. The two teams battled to five sets with the Bulldogs taking the match by scores of 25-15, 17-25, 17-25, 25-23, and 15-7.
De Smet opened the match with a 10-3 run to start the first set. They grew that lead to 17-5. Howard made a little run and closed the gap to 20-14, but the Bulldogs ended the set on a 5-1 run for the win. The two teams went back and forth to start the second set and were tied 7-7. The Tigers took the first advantage at 10-7. The set continued to go back and forth until Howard extended their lead to 19-14. They kept a five-point lead at 22-17 before winning 25-17.
De Smet held the first early lead of three points in the third set, but Howard cut the lead to 8-7. They eventually took the lead, 11-10, and then extended their advantage to 19-12. De Smet got within four points, 20-16, but Howard ended the third set with a 25-17 win for a 2-1 set lead. The Tigers continued to roll to start the fourth set and built a 9-3 lead. The Bulldogs scored the next three points for a 9-6 score. Howard then went on a 5-0 run for a 14-6 lead. De Smet rallied from that point. They went on a 10-3 run to pull within a point, 17-16. After Howard extended the lead to 23-19, De Smet tied the match 23-23 and then scored the next two points for the 25-23 win.
The late rally by the Bulldogs in the fourth set gave them the momentum in the fifth set. They went ahead 8-1 and never trailed. Howard got within four points, 10-6, but the Bulldogs ended the match on a 5-1 run for the win.
Hazel Luethmers finished with 13 kills and four ace serves. Mirra Beck added 13 kills and 11 digs. Alyssa Asleson had nine set assists and eight digs. Megan Dylla finished with 25 set assists and three ace serves. Ivey Schoenfelder also had three ace serves.
