The De Smet Bulldogs played their final regular season match on the road in Arlington on Tuesday, October 24th. Arlington won the match in straight sets by scores of 25-15, 25-20, and 25-21.
After an early 2-2 tie to start the first set, Arlington went ahead 8-4. They maintained a three-to-four point lead to a score of 12-9. The Cardinals then went on a 9-4 run for a 21-13 lead before winning 25-15.
Arlington started the second set with a 5-3 lead, but the Bulldogs tied the score 8-8. They then went ahead 13-9. De Smet continued to lead 16-14, but Arlington then went on a 7-3 run to take a 21-19 lead. That run was enough to keep them in front as the Cardinals won 25-20.
De Smet started the third set with an early 4-2 lead. Arlington tied the score 7-7 and then took a 13-9 lead. The Bulldogs went on a 5-1 run to tie the set 14-14. The two teams traded three-point runs, and the score was tied again 19-19. Arlington went ahead 22-19. De Smet cut the lead by a point, 23-21, but the Cardinals finished the match by scoring the final two points for a 25-21 win.
Hazel Luethmers had 12 kills and two blocks. Brooke Jennings and Mirra Beck both had three kills each. Megan Dylla had 12 set assists, nine digs, four ace serves, and a block. Alyssa Asleson finished with 11 digs, five set assists, and an ace.
The Bulldogs will be the #8 seed in the Region 2A tournament and will play #1 Wolsey-Wessington at Wolsey-Wessington High School on Tuesday, October 31st at 6:00 p.m.
