MITCHELL, S.D. — For the first time since 2018, the Mitchell Kernels enter the Class AA State Volleyball Tournament and their return comes with the biggest challenge the state has to offer.
Eighth-seeded Mitchell (16-8) will take on No. 1 Harrisburg (32-2) at Noon CST on Thursday in the state quarterfinals at The Monument in Rapid City. Coverage begins with the KORNer Booth Pregame Show at 11 a.m. on KORN News Radio FM 101.3/AM 1490 and KORNRadio.com
The Kernels are fresh off a dominant SoDak 16 sweep of Spearfish last week that showcased both efficiency and depth. Mitchell hit .376 as a team, committed just four errors, and controlled the match behind strong serving, sturdy defense and a balanced attack led by eighth-grader Nia Talley and seniors Addie Siemsen and Kambyl Wede.
But Thursday’s challenge is a different weight class entirely.
The Harrisburg Standard
Harrisburg is ranked No. 9 in the country in the AVCA/USA TODAY Super 25 poll and 12th in the MaxPreps National Girls Volleyball Rankings.
The Tigers enters the tournament riding one of the most remarkable streaks in South Dakota high school sports history:
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89 straight wins against Class AA opponents
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94 consecutive wins against in-state teams
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Three straight Class AA state championships
The Tigers’ lineup is loaded with future college players and national-level talent:
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Lindsay Langer — Winthrop commit
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Gabi Zachariasen — South Dakota commit
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Bergen Stiff — Harvard commit
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Emma Masselink — Concordia (Neb.) commit
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Josalyn Samuels — standout sophomore setter invited to the USA Volleyball Girls U19 National Team
And that doesn’t include perhaps the program’s most dazzling young name, freshman Julia Masselink, a 6-foot-2 outside hitter competing internationally with Team USA.
The Tigers swept Sturgis in the SoDak 16 by scores of 25-5, 25-11 and 25-8.
Mitchell’s Formula
To keep pace with the powerhouse Tigers, Mitchell will need the same execution it showed in the SoDak 16 and more.
The Kernels’ blueprint:
Limit mistakes.
Mitchell’s four attacking errors against Spearfish marked one of its cleanest matches of the season. Against the Tigers’ relentless block and serve pressure, efficiency will be essential.
Spread the offense.
Talley, Siemsen, Wede and outside hitter Audrey Miller have all shown the ability to score in bunches. Mitchell’s balance gives it versatility, a must when Harrisburg can key in on any one hitter.
Win the serve-and-pass game.
The Kernels delivered 10 aces vs. Spearfish and consistently kept the Spartans off-balance. Harrisburg thrives in system; disrupting serve receive is one of the few ways opponents have stayed competitive.
Defend the net.
Junior middle Kenzie Hetland had six blocks in the SoDak 16 and will anchor one of the biggest challenges of Mitchell’s season: controlling Harrisburg’s high-flying attack.
History & Stakes
Harrisburg has won 20 of the past 22 meetings with Mitchell, including every matchup since the Kernels’ two victories in 2018.
But Mitchell enters Rapid City with nothing to lose. Thursday marks the program’s first state-tournament appearance in seven years and a chance to shock the state’s most dominant team.
Class AA Quarterfinals – Thursday in Rapid City
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No. 1 Harrisburg vs. No. 8 Mitchell — Noon CST
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No. 4 Sioux Falls Lincoln vs. No. 5 Watertown — 1:45 p.m. CST
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No. 2 Brandon Valley vs. No. 7 Sioux Falls Washington — 6 p.m. CST
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No. 3 O’Gorman vs. No. 11 Sioux Falls Jefferson — 7:45 p.m. CST
Tune in Thursday for full coverage on KORN News Radio 101.3 FM / 1490 AM and KORNRadio.com