RAPID CITY, S.D. – Top-seeded Harrisburg moved into the Class AA semifinals with a straight-set win (25-8, 25-9, 25-18) over Mitchell on Thursday at the Monument, controlling the match start to finish behind a dominant offensive showing from senior outside hitter Gabi Zachariasen.
Zachariasen delivered 19 kills and added four aces to lead the Tigers (33-2). Harrisburg hit .400 as a team and totaled 12 service aces, running out to large leads in the first two sets before closing the match 25-18 in the third.
Setter Josalyn Samuels paced the attack with 30 assists and added two aces. Bergen Stiff finished with seven kills, while Julia Masselink and Kya Keegan each added three.
Mitchell (16-9) found more rhythm in the third set after managing just 17 combined points in the first two, but could not slow Harrisburg’s offense for extended stretches. The Kernels were led by Kenzie Hetland’s three kills and two blocks, while Audrey Miller added five kills. Setter Addie Siemsen had eight assists.
Mitchell totaled seven team blocks and two aces, but Harrisburg’s pressure from the service line and efficiency at the net kept the match tilted heavily in the Tigers’ favor.
Harrisburg advances to Friday’s semifinals vs. No. 5 Watertown at 6 pm CST, while Mitchell moves to the consolation bracket vs. No. 4 Sioux Falls Lincoln on Friday at Noon CST.