The Tri-Valley Mustangs earned a straight-set match win over the West Central Trojans at the Dak-12 Conference tournament on Saturday, October 17th. The conference tournament format changed with a few teams unable to play. Instead of a bracketed tournament, there were just four single matches scheduled.
The first set of the match featured a couple of runs by each team. With the score tied 3-3 early, the Mustangs went on a 4-0 run to take a 7-3 lead. Tri-Valley led 10-6 before the Trojans went on a 4-0 run to tie the set at 10-10. Tri-Valley then went on another 4-0 for a 14-10 advantage. The Mustangs were then able to maintain a four-point lead before extending it to 22-16. West Central pulled within two points at 23-21, but the Mustangs ended the rally and took the set 25-21.
Tri-Valley got out to a quick start in the second set. The Mustangs went on a 6-1 run to turn a 2-2 tie into an 8-3 lead. The lead grew to eight points at 15-7, and Tri-Valley kept a five-to-seven point lead the remainder of the set and won the second set 25-17.
The Mustangs, again, used a run get an early lead. West Central scored the first point of the third set, but Tri-Valley scored the next six points for a 6-1 lead. The advantage grew to eight points at 14-6. The lead stayed at eight points at 20-12 before West Central started to rally. The Trojans scored six straight points to pull within two points at 20-18. West Central got the lead down to one at 21-20, but that was as close as they could get. Tri-Valley ended the set on a 4-1 run to win 25-21 and take the match in straight sets.
Tri-Valley (8-8) will host Mt Vernon/Plankinton on Tuesday, October 20th. West Central (6-11) will host Garretson also on Tuesday, October 20th.