The Britton-Hecla volleyball squad avenged a regular season loss to Redfield to advance to Region 1A semifinal play and then gave top-seeded Groton Area a scare before falling in four sets in the So-Dak 16 qualifying round on Thursday.
The Lady Braves finished their season with a 14-13 record. Groton Area (25-5), seeded seventh in the SoDak 16, played 10th seed Rapid City Christian (28-11) last night Tuesday to determine one of the eight state tournament berths. Aberdeen Roncalli (18-11) downed Webster Area 3-1 in the other Region 1A semifinal and was seeded 14th in SoDak 16 play against #4 Clark-Willow Lake (24-1), also played last night Tuesday. The Class A state tournament will be played in Rapid City Nov. 20-22.
“I was proud of the girls this season,” said B-H boss Jenna Peters. “They really were playing their best volleyball in the postseason. They gave both matches their all and almost took down the number one seed in our region. Their aggressiveness at the net and defense were their strengths this year. We are going to miss our seniors so much and have some really big gaps to fill for next year.”
Seniors on this year’s roster include Ava Teveldal, Taryn Kraft, Karlie Zuehlke, and Abby Lee.
B-H 25-19-25-26
Redfield 20-25-18-24
B-H had two intense matches with Redfield this season and won the one that counted most in regional play.
The Lady Braves dropped the regular season matchup 25-14, 33-35, 25-19, 25-17 but avenged that loss with a 25-20, 19-25, 25-18, 26-24 victory in the region quarterfinals played last week Tuesday.
Peters’ club pounded out a season-high 55 kills in the match, led by Karlie Zuehlke and Daynika Zuehlke with 13 each. Abby Lee added 11, and Chellon Pruitt and Jaelee Grupe had eight apiece. Micko also added three service aces, Grupe had two aces, 20 digs, and three blocks, Lee five blocks, and Ava Teveldal came up with 27 digs.
Groton Area 25-22-25-25
B-H 13-25-21-17
Groton Area had things its way in the early going taking the opening set, but Britton-Hecla evened the match with a second set win and led 13-3 in the third set before the Tigers were able to rally.
B-H led the majority of the second set until Groton briefly went up 20-19. But the local netters outscored GA 6-2 the rest of the way with some strong net play for the win. Four different players had kills down the stretch.
The Lady Braves took charge early in the third set, leading 13-3, but Groton chipped away to tie the set at 16-all and grabbed a 17-16 advantage that it would not give up. The Tigers then jumped out to an early lead in set four to end Britton-Hecla’s season.
Daynika Zuehlke and Karlie Zuehlke again had strong nights at the net with 11 kills each and Micko pounded eight. Jaelee Grupe added five blocks and 33 assists and Daynika Zuehlke and Ava Teveldal each had 15 digs.
FOR FULL STATS SEE THIS WEEK'S JOURNAL
