Despite falling to Britton-Hecla twice in straight sets during the regular season Webster Area had the upper hand in first round play of the Region 1A tournament last week Tuesday posting a 25-16, 25-12, 25-19 win.
The Bearcats lost to top-seeded Groton Area in semifinal action in straight sets on Thursday. The Tigers, seeded 10th among SoDak 16 qualifiers with its 19-6 record, battled #7 Mount Vernon-Plankinton (26-5) last night Tuesday for a berth in the state tournament. The other Region 1A SoDak 16 qualifier is Aberdeen Roncalli (16-8). The 14th-seeded Cavaliers met #3 Dell Rapids (28-3), also last night Tuesday.
Britton-Hecla finished with a 14-12 season mark, improving over its 8-16 record of a year ago.
“We didn’t play well against Webster Area, but it’s also really hard to beat a team three times,” said B-H coach Jenna Peters. “I’m really proud of my girls this year! They gave it their all. We are going to be sad to see our seniors go but they had a great season.”
Graduating from this year’s squad are Heather Storbakken, Annika Tank, McKenna Heer, Sterling Brassfield, and Mallory Grupe.
Junior Abby Lee led the Lady Braves at the net in the regional contest, hitting 28-30 spike attempts, pounding seven kills, and coming up with a block and two block assists. Heer added 16-23 with five kills. Sophomore Maddi Micko was 10-13 at the service line with an ace and Storbakken 9-9 with an ace. Freshman Jaelee Grupe had 10 assists and Storbakken eight, Tank had nine digs and sophomore Brynlee Schmieg eight.
SERVING: BH, 43-49, 3 aces (Maddi Micko 10-13, 1 ace; Heather Storbakken 9-9, 1 ace; Jaelee Grupe 5-7, 1 ace; Daynika Zuehlke 7-7, Karlie Zuehlke 7-7, McKenna Heer 5-6)
HITTING: BH, 97-117, 20 kills (Abby Lee 28-30, 7 kills; Heer 16-23, 5 kills; K. Zuehlke 16-19, 3 kills; Grupe 16-20, 3 kills; Micko 13-15, 2 kills)
SETTING: BH, 112-112, 19 assists (Grupe 46-46, 10 assists; Storbakken 43-43, 8 assists)
DIGS: BH, 60 (Annika Tank 9, Brynlee Schmieg 8, Storbakken 7, D. Zuehlke 7, Grupe 7)
BLOCKS: BH, 1 block, 4 assists (Lee 1 block, 2 assists)
