RAPID CITY – Hamlin rode out the storm of the Cyclones and handed Clark-Willow Lake its second loss of the year during the opening round of the State A Volleyball Tournament Thursday afternoon at The Monument.
The Chargers gave Clark-Willow Lake its only loss during the regular season in three sets. This time Hamlin overcame an early deficit to record a 23-25, 25-19, 25-12, 25-21 victory.
“Obviously, playing Clark-Willow Lake, conference opponent, region opponent. Obviously, they are very competitive, they are big, they’re tall, they hit hard. They definitely had us on our heels a few times,” said Chargers coach Ashley Heinrich. “Showed up the last three sets, weathered the storm when we needed to. And we did what we had to do, so it was good.”
Starting the match off on the right foot was a main focus for the Cyclones. Although they didn’t gain the lead until 17-16, they executed their game plan.
“The girls showed up and we started off really strong, and that’s been a big point of focus for us this year is to come out and start stronger than we have in the past,” said Clark-Willow Lake coach Betty McGraw. “It was good to get that first set. That felt good, we’re proud of that.”
It was Ella Sass who brought the momentum in the first set, producing four kills in the opening set.
“I feel like it kind of just brought up our momentum and kind of helped,” said Sass. “We went in with a lot of confidence.”
Everything seemed to be working for the Cyclones in grabbing the opening set, as six different players had kills, while the team also had four blocks and an ace serve.
“I would say they did have a good game plan. Obviously, they scouted us,” said Heinrich. “They were figuring out where the holes were in our defense, and we did not adjust as quickly as I would have liked us to.”
There were also first-match jitters that played into the first set for the Chargers.
“I think we were just very nervous and we were just not really playing our game,” said Hamlin junior Issie Steffensen. “In the second, third, and fourth set, we just came out and we knew if we just do us, we’re gonna be OK.”
The Chargers began to find their footing halfway through the second set. It all started with Steffensen setting the ball.
“I would say Issie did such a phenomenal job. She’s kind of a quarterback. … I would say number one, she did such a great job at keeping us in tempo. I, personally, feel like when we were getting in our rhythm, they couldn’t keep up with us,” Heinrich said. “They had a hard time chasing the block. I mean the amount of times both of my Addies (Neuendorf and Jensen) had open nets to swing off of, so I think that’s probably what changed, we were just in system a little more.”
Steffensen focused on speeding the game up a little bit more, which got the Chargers going.
“I think we sped up our tempo in the second, third, and fourth sets,” said Steffensen. “Just staying in system and staying fast helped us.”
In addition to the quicker tempo, the Chargers spread the ball around, with six players getting into the kill column in the last three sets.
“When you’re on the other side and you’re trying to block, like who do you block? Instead of being like ‘Oh we know it’s gonna go to Addie Neuendorf, so we’re just gonna set up our block out there,’” Heinrich said. “If we got girls who can hit from everywhere, now as a blocker, you gotta stay true to who you are.”
Although the Chargers found success at the net, they still struggled to get past the Cyclone block at times. Clark-Willow Lake ended the match with nine total blocks, with Sass accounting for 1 solo and 4 assisted.
“It’s good just trying to read the setter. And sometimes, the other team does have like little giveaways,” Sass said. “So, it’s nice to see those.”
Steffensen helped the Chargers close out the match as she scored the first point of the set on a dump, and then two more of those shots later in the set.
“I knew that their defense was adjusting to our hitters, because they had killed them a lot. So, I just saw the open spaces,” Steffensen said. “I decided that, when you do a 5-1, you only have two hitters when I’m in the front row. So, I figured that I should be a hitter and find the open spots.”
Although Clark-Willow Lake isn’t chasing a state title anymore, the Cyclones have a new goal in mind as they face off against Wagner in consolation action at 11 this morning (MST).
“We just had a long talk in the locker room and we’re just refocusing on how we got here and how we need to play for the girl next to us and refocus our goals,” said McGraw. “Our new goal is gonna be consolation champ. But yeah, it’s gonna be redialing back in, not letting the nerves, not letting the scene, or even who’s across the net from us bother us.”
Hamlin takes on top-seeded Dakota Valley in the semifinals at 5 p.m. (MST)
“I truly believe that we have a team that is a state-championship worthy team and so I’m hoping that now that we got this first one out of the way,” said Heinrich. “They’ll be tough, but we competed against Dells (Dell Rapids) and I feel like them and Dells are very similar. So, I think we have the opportunity to show people that we’re the real deal.”
Serving: Hamlin 11 aces (Maddy Jutting 3 aces, Issie Steffensen 2 aces, Paxtyn Neuendorf 2 aces, Ella Smith 2 aces); Clark-Willow Lake 2 aces (Kelsey Hofer 1 ace, Shelby Begeman 1 ace).
Hitting: Hamlin 48 kills (Addelyn Jensen 15 kills, Addison Neuendorf 12 kills, Jade Thue 11 kills); Clark-Willow Lake 46 kills (Begeman 14 kills, Ella Sass 11 kills, Hofer 9 kills).
Setting: Hamlin 44 assists (Steffensen 40 assists); Clark-Willow Lake 42 assists (Zoe Nichols 20 assists, Maddie Brendan 8 assists).
Digs: Hamlin 82 (Jayci Trowbridge 18, A. Neuendorf 16, Steffensen 15); Clark-Willow Lake 88 (Hofer 21, Kadee Frankfurth 12, Begeman 11, Peyton Lee 11).
Blocks: Hamlin 5 total (Thue 1 solo, Kayde Nebel 4 assisted, Jensen 3 assisted); Clark-Willow Lake 9 total (Sass 1 solo 4 assisted, Calla Larson 4 assisted, Begeman 4 assisted).
Records: Hamlin 22-4; Clark-Willow Lake 25-2.
