Class AA State Volleyball Tournament – Saturday, November 22 in Rapid City
No. 11 Sioux Falls Jefferson 3, No. 8 Mitchell 0, (25-22, 25-12, 25-10) – 7th Place
Sienna Sabers had a match-high 13 kills for Jefferson, while setter Olivia Wachal finished with 23 assists. Nia Talley led the Kernels with 11 kills and 11 digs. Saturday also marked the final match for four Mitchell seniors; Addie Siemsen (20 assists), Audrey Miller (seven kills), Kenna Soulek (11 digs), and Kambyl Wede (three blocks). Junior Kenzie Hetland finished the season with 94 blocks to tie the single season school record. SF Jefferson ends the season with a 13-14 record.
No. 4 Sioux Falls Lincoln 3, No. 7 Sioux Falls Washington 1, (20-25, 26-24, 25-22, 25-20) – 5th Place
Washington was led by Jade Jere’s 19 kills and 13 digs, Dana Harpe’s 11 kills and 12 digs, and Emily Akkerman’s 40 assists and four aces. Lincoln answered with a balanced attack, getting 11 kills from Mallory Schneider, 10 from Hannah Baron, and 6 from Ella Smith. Schneider also added 29 assists and 8 digs, while Julia Blom anchored the defense with 16 digs.
No. 2 Brandon Valley 3, No. 5 Watertown 0, (25-15, 25-19, 25-21) – 3rd Place
Brandon Valley was led by Jersie Melcher’s 10 kills, Riya Sheley’s six kills, and Jayaunna Stroh and Kennedi Boomsma with five kills each. Setter Logan McGuire delivered 25 assists and five aces, while Mya VanWesten added 17 digs. Watertown got nine kills from Anna Hirtz, eight from Torrence Tipton, and seven from Reese Munger, while libero Siri Bach collected 19 digs. Setter Kynsee Russell handed out 23 assists.
No. 1 Harrisburg 3, No. 3 O’Gorman 0, (25-16, 25-16, 25-13) – State Championship
Harrisburg wins its fourth straight state championship, its 92nd straight game vs. a Class AA opponent and 97th straight match vs. a South Dakota team.