Eve Millar jumps up to challenge Roncalli at the net.
Posted
Heather Jordan
Pheasant rally falls just short
By Heather Jordan
ABERDEEN, SD – What a difference a year makes. One year ago, Redfield-Doland defeated Aberdeen Roncalli for the right to advance to the SoDak 16, and play for a chance to qualify for the 2017 Class A Volleyball Tournament. The Pheasants found themselves on the opposite side of the net as Roncalli rallied to claim a 3-1 victory in the Region 1A semifinals, ending Redfield-Doland’s journey to state.
Redfield-Doland claimed a hard-fought first set victory over the Cavaliers 25-23, but could not maintain the momentum as Roncalli rallied to win the next three sets, 25-11, 25-18, and 25-18 to advance to the SoDak 16 state tournament qualifying round on November 6th.
Roncalli had jumped out to a 6-1 lead in the first set, but after an opportune time-out called by Redfield-Doland, the Pheasants fought back to take the first set.
Down 5-8 in the third set, Roncalli relied on the accurate serve of Jami Ewart, who brought them back into the match, and gave the Cavaliers a 13-8 lead they would not turn back.
In set four, Roncalli raced out to an 18-6 lead, but committed six errors within seven points which allowed the Pheasants to quietly sneak back into the match at 19-12. Even with a consistent block from Addison Rozell and Trista Frost, the Cavaliers found a way to stop the Pheasants’ momentum, thereby claiming the fourth set 25-18 and sealing the win.
(2) Aberdeen Roncalli 23-25-25-25 (3) Redfield-Doland 25-11-18-18
Region 1A Tournament at Aberdeen
SERVING: Redfield/Doland 65-71, 5 (Eve Millar 15-17 2 aces, Trista Frost 10-11, 2 aces); Roncalli 83-93, 4 aces (Jami Ewart 33-33, 2 aces).
