RAPID CITY – Warner started slow, but finished strong on Thursday.

The top-seeded Monarchs earned a 25-23, 25-9, 25-9 win over Gayville-Volin in the opening round of the Class B State Volleyball Tournament at The Monument.

Despite the sweep, Warner coach Kari Jung noted the team took time to settle in during the first set.

“We had to settle down and start playing like we can,” Jung said, “and then once we settled in, it was a lot better.”

Gayville-Volin built early leads during the first set, including 4-2 and 7-5, while the Monarchs struggled to find a rhythm.

“We just needed to relax and take a deep breath and just get comfortable with the game,” said Warner senior libero Courtney Bjorgaard.

Once they relaxed and settled in, the Monarchs began to build a lead. They received affirmation during timeouts in the opening set.

“Mrs. Jung just reminded us that we needed to calm down, pull it together, and work as a team,” Warner senior outside hitter Lauren Marcuson said. “We just had to focus and work together.”

Warner built an 18-9 lead, before the Raiders responded with a run of their own and cut the lead down to 21-17 before another timeout was called.

“We came out with a lot of jitters, a lot of unforced hitting errors, and they were scrappy, and I knew they would be,” Jung said. “They’re pretty young, they’re pretty small, and so you have to play harder defensively when that’s the case, and so we were struggling just finishing plays early on.”

Gayville-Volin continued to crawl back into the set, eventually cutting the Warner lead down to 24-23, before the Monarchs finished off the set. After the win, Jung gave her team a simple pep talk.

“I just said you guys, you know now we got that one out of our way. Let’s just calm down,” Jung said. “They knew it. It’s pretty typical, and they’ve had pressure, and I knew it could happen early, and I hope it’s done happening, but we’ll see.”

The pressure was off for the rest of the match, as Warner controlled sets two and three. The Monarchs built convincing leads in both sets and cruised to the opening round win.

Marcuson said the team’s confidence was boosted after the opening set.

“Honestly, I think once we got into the second set, our confidence was better,” Marcuson said. “We had a first set under our belt, so we all knew that it’s OK to get the second set, and then the third set, same thing,” Marcuson said.

Marcuson had nine kills, 16 digs, and led with three aces, while Bjorgaard topped the squad with 19 digs. Kyleigh Schopp had a team-leading 13 kills, while Ava Nilsson contributed 31 set assists.

Marcuson said there are always nerves when entering the state tournament.

“I feel like there’s always nerves coming into the state tournament,” Marcuson said. “I don’t know about anyone else, but I get nervous for like every game.”

The Monarchs (38-0) move into semifinals where they will take on Burke at 5 tonight.

Jung said the team will look to prepare for the Cougars.

“We’re going to see what their tendencies are and see where their weaknesses are, so we can see what we have to work on for attacking,” Jung said.

She added that it was nice to get the first win out of the way.

“It feels good,” Jung said. “That one’s good. It’s always a lot of pressure and now you can just settle in.”

Bjorgaard said it is great to be back at the state tournament.

“Very excited,” Bjorgaard said. “Yes, super excited.”

Serving: Gayville-Volin 0 aces; Warner 8 aces (Lauren Marcuson 3, Kyra Marcuson 2, Courtney Bjorgaard 2).

Hitting: Gayville-Volin 21 kills (Maia Achen 12); Warner 37 kills (Kyleigh Schopp 13, Lauren Marcuson 9, MaKenna Leidholt 6).

Setting: Gayville-Volin 20 assists (Keeley Larson 15); Warner 36 assists (Ava Nilsson 31).

Digs: Gayville-Volin 52 digs (Taylor Hoxeng 19); Warner 65 digs (Bjorgaard 19, L. Marcuson 16, Haleigh Holt 10).

Blocking: Gayville-Volin 1 solo (Achen 1 solo); Warner 3 solo 6 assists (Schopp 2 solo 3 assists, Leidholt 1 solo, Nilsson 2 assists).

Records: Gayville-Volin 21-12; Warner 38-0.