(4) Northern Cass def Lisbon (5) 15-25, 25-22, 25-15, 22-25, 15-12.
It was an electric start to the Region 1A tournament as Lisbon, and Northern Cass exchanged haymakers until the very end.
The first set saw the Broncos control the early action of the set, comfortably sitting in front by at least six to eight points for the most of the first frame. The Broncos were led in scoring by Mara Nelson and Brynn Wiltse, who consistently kept the Jaguars on the backfoot and preventing them from setting up quality chances at the net, as Lisbon rolled to a dominant 25-15 win.
However, Northern Cass would bounce back in a big way, taking the next two sets, due in large part to the stellar play of Kadence Husar who was able to give Northern Cass their own explosive option to go against Lisbon’s combination of Wilste and Nelson. The third set saw Lisbon jump out in front 13-10, but from that moment onward it was all Northern Cass, who rattled off a 15-2 run to take the third set 25-15 and put them one set away from the semi-finals.
However, Lisbon would show the grit and determination that had made them a tough out all year, as Jada Nims was able to provide the Jaguars with a late surge the helped put them over the top in the third.
With the score tied at 11 all in the 5th set, a crucial 50/50 call would go the way of Northern Cass, giving them a 12-11 lead and setting the stage for a timely surge that would ultimately seal the game after Husar rose up for her 17th and final kill of the day.
The Jaguars will play the top-seeded Oak Grove Grovers in the first semi-final tomorrow at 6:00 PM
(2) Kindred def Wahpeton (7) 25-15, 25-8, 25-5
In a clinical display of domination the Kindred Vikings rolled to an easy round one win over the Wahpeton Huskies, as the combination of Taylor Sanders, Jenner Jordheim, Ivy Trenbeath, and Kate Odegaard overwhelmed the Wahpeton defense.
The lone bright spot for the Huskies came after their first timeout, which saw them go on a short run to cut the first set deficit down to 11-6. However, after that Kindred would pile on the points, due in equal parts to a relentless attack and a plethora of Wahpeton mistakes. After the lone surge by the Huskies the Vikings would outscore Wahpeton throughout the rest of the game by a total score of 64-22.
Kindred will move on to face the winner of Valley City vs. Central Cass in the second semi-final tomorrow.
(3) Valley City vs. Central Cass (6) 25-21, 25-17, 25-18
It was a lesson in patience for the Valley City Hi-Liners, as they came back in all three sets to pick up the straight sets victory.
The first set saw the Squirrels establish an early five point advantage, as the Hi-Liners looked to establish their footing. The footing in question would eventually come in the form of a lengthy run led by the service of Morgan Larson, and the offensive and defensive prowess of Nora Pederson, as the Hi-Liners would surge in front. The Squirrels would then level the game in the later stages of the first frame, before another quick surge by the Hi-Liners sealed their 25-21 victory.
The second and third set would be nearly identical, with the Hi-Liners finding themselves in an early hole, before capitalizing on strong play from the like of Pederson, Katie Burchill, Kierstin Klabo, and Jaye Potratz. Klabo would play a major role in Valley City’s comeback in the third set, after having a quiet night in the leadup to the third set, burying multiple kills that helped the Hi-Liners pull away for good.
With the Victory Valley City will square off with the Kindred Vikings in the second semi-final tomorrow, after the conclusion of the Oak Grove and Northern Cass match.
The entirety of the Region 1A Volleyball Tournament can be heard on 1490 AM/96.3 FM KOVC, 106.1 KQLX FM, and online at NewsDakota.com
