The Dell Rapids Quarrier volleyball team started their 2021 season on the road in Elkton on Tuesday, August 24th. The Quarriers are coming off a 5-13 record in 2020 that also saw the team lose two weeks of matches due to Covid.
Head coach Erica Fersdahl said, “I think we played our best volleyball at the end of the season (last year), which is always our goal, and we took Baltic to five sets in the region quarterfinals. Afterwards they went on to beat Garretson in the semfinals and lose in the SoDak 16, so I think that is a testament to our growth as a team for the year. We are looking to build on that potential for this year and play competitively in the Dak XII as well as look to get better every practice and game in hopes of a post-season run in November.”
Coach Fersdahl mentioned the team will look to senior Mackenzie Garry, junior Emma VanRegenmorter, and freshman Sophi Randall along with other seniors Riley Hill and Brooklyn Spoonemore to lead the Quarriers.
The Quarriers first match of the year was against the Elkton-Lake Benton Elks. The Elks were able to build a four-point lead early in the first set at 10-6. Dell Rapids then got on a roll. They eventually tied the set and continued the momentum to an 18-13 lead. The Elks responded and tied the set at 20-20. They then finished the set on a 5-1 run to win 25-21.
Dell Rapids built a slim lead and maintained it early in the second set. They led 7-5 and 9-8 before Elkton-Lake Benton went on an 8-0 run to take the lead 16-9. Dell Rapids got within four points at 23-19, but the Elks finished the set for the win 25-19. The third set remained close through the first half as Dell Rapids held an 11-10 lead. The Elks then took the lead and were ahead 16-15 before going on a 9-3 run to close out the set, 25-18, and win the match.
Madelynn Henry had nine kills, six digs, and an ace serve. Garry finished with seven kills, two digs, two blocks, and an ace serve. Randall added five kills, four digs, three blocks and 12 set assists. Riley Hill had 10 set assists, nine digs, four blocks, and an ace serve. VanRegenmorter had three kills and four blocks. Kylee Fiddelke finished with four kills, four digs, four blocks, and three ace serves. Lexi Ingalls added five digs and four set assists.
Dell Rapids (0-1) will host West Central on Thursday, August 26th. The match can be seen on Big Sioux Media.