They may have won in straight sets, but the match win for the Dell Rapids St Mary Cardinals was thrilling as they defeated the De Smet Bulldogs 28-26, 25-21, 25-20 on Tuesday, September 3rd.
Playing in their second straight home match to start the season, the Cardinals found themselves trailing 10-6 early in the first set. The Bulldogs extended the lead to 15-8 before the Cardinals made their move. St Mary went on a 10-3 run to tie the match at 18-18. The Cardinals took the lead at 22-20, but De Smet tied the set at 22-22. St Mary was at set point at 24-22, but the Bulldogs reeled off three straight points for a 25-24 lead. St Mary regained the lead at 26-25 with De Smet again tying at 26-26. The Cardinals took the final two points for the set win.
The second set was tied 6-6 early and then again at 11-11, but the Bulldogs went on a 6-1 run for a 17-12 lead. St Mary countered with the biggest run of the night. The Cardinals scored 10 straight points for a 22-17 lead. St Mary wouldn’t let De Smet get any closer than two points at 23-21 before getting the win 25-21.
Momentum seemed to favor the Cardinals in the third set as they jumped out to an 11-3 lead. The lead grew to 10 points at 14-4. St Mary was able to maintain an eight-to-ten point lead over the next few points and led 17-8. De Smet tried to mount a comeback and cut the lead down to 18-15. That was as close as they would get as the Cardinals closed out the set for the match win.
Ella Heinitz finished with 14 set assists, six kills, six blocks, and six digs in the match. Tyra Harrington had six kills, three blocks, and two digs. Courtney Brown had four kills and seven digs. Ella Griffin added nine set assists, seven blocks, five digs, two kills, and two ace serves. Paige Bunkers had six ace serves. Maya Heinitz led the team with 16 digs, and Macie Brown added five digs.
St Mary (2-0) will play a varsity only match in Mitchell against Mitchell Christian on Thursday, September 5th.