The Tri-Valley Mustangs and West Central Trojans met for the third time this season on Tuesday, November 3rd at Tri-Valley High School. This meeting was in the opening round of the Region 3A tournament, and all three meetings have occurred in the last 17 days with the Mustangs winning the first two.
Tri-Valley got out to a quick 5-1 lead in the opening set of the match. The Mustangs maintained a two-to-three point lead before extending it to 15-9 midway through the set. The lead grew to 10 points at 23-13, and Tri-Valley took the first set 25-13.
The momentum carried into the second set as the Mustangs scored the first six points for a 6-0 lead. West Central pulled within three points early in the set, but the Mustangs never lost the lead and eventually won in the second set 25-17 for a 2-0 lead.
The Mustangs once again grabbed an early lead in the third set at 6-2. West Central, however, was able to get the set tied at 12-12. The set was within a point for much of the remainder of the game. With the score tied 20-20, the Trojans finished the set on a 5-1 run to win 25-21 and force a fourth set.
The fourth set started close as both teams were tied 4-4. The Mustangs then went on a 7-1 run for an 11-5 lead. That run gave all the momentum to Tri-Valley. The lead grew to 19-9, and the Mustangs won the set 25-15 to win the match.
West Central was led by Cassidy Siemonsma with 11 kills and four blocks. Jenna Lueth had 14 digs, and Jocelyn Nilson added 10 digs. Rachel Bucher had three ace serves. Alaina Murphy added three blocks, and Brooke Opitz finished with 17 set assists.
Kaitlyn Mohnen had 15 digs and 10 kills for the Mustangs. Blayne Gacke had 13 digs, nine kills, and seven ace serves. Jessica Masgain had three blocks and two ace serves. Grace Shildhauer added 20 set assists in the match.
The Trojans end their season with an overall record of 6-15.
Tri-Valley moves on to the next round of the Region 3A tournament. They will plat at #1 Sioux Falls Christian in a SoDak16 Qualifier match on Thursday, November 5th at 7:00 p.m.