RAPID CITY – Discipline overcame athleticism Saturday night in the third place match at the State B Volleyball Tournament.
Northwestern stuck to its game play against a hard-swinging Bennett County squad to help ensure a 25-20, 25-19, 25-12 victory at The Monument.
“They’re just crazy athletic and so they can just swing from anywhere. We knew balls would come over at crazy times,” said Northwestern coach Nora Groft. “I talked to our kids about let’s do what we do, focus on being in system and running our offense, and let’s not match their crazy with crazy.”
The Wildcats, who were coming off back-to-back five-set matches, got out of the gates a bit sluggish, trailing in the early stages of the opening set.
“Thursday and Friday were the first five-setters we’ve had the whole season, so it was physically pretty tiring, but also mentally,” said Northwestern senior Ella Boekelheide, “just playing that much volleyball, having to be engaged for that long, and especially (Friday) night, that was a tough game, a long game.”
The Wildcats eventually leveled the first set at 14-14 and then pulled away at the end for a one-set advantage.
The Warriors were content to blast one shot after another at the Northwestern defense, regardless of where they were at on the court.
“They’re super athletic girls, but we just had to know that we have the fundamentals, we’ve been consistent,” Boekelheide said, “and they might be super strong, swinging for the fences, but we knew we just could stay calm and do what we’ve been doing.”
The second set was nearly identical to the first with the scored being tied at 14-14 before the Wildcats again pulled away down the stretch.
Boekelheide said the Wildcats knew they had to be on their toes against the unpredictable Warriors.
“We were actually talking during the game, we’re like be ready on any contact, it could be coming over whenever,” Boekelheide said, “but just because they’re playing crazy, we can still play our game and stay focused.”
Northwestern, which had nine aces on the night, dominated the final set and polished off the win on an ace by senior Ashley Haven, who led the squad with 17 kills.
“Ashley goes back to serve and I just looked at her, it’s all yours Ash, and she just kind of smirked and I kind of new what was coming,” Groft said. “That was just icing on the cake for her.”
Haven not only finished off a stellar career with multiple school records, she served as a valuable mentor to eighth-grader Kylee Henjum, who was a major contributor on the Wildcats’ front line this past season.
“It’s definiltey a bigger role playing up on the varsity,” Henjum said. “It’s not something I’ve experienced before this year. It’s definitely a lot different from playing middle school.”
Henjum credited Haven for helping her to develop as a player.
“I really like playing with her,” Henjum said. “She helps push me to get better, and just lets me know what I do wrong and how I can fix it. I really like that.”
Henjum, who led the Wildcats in blocks against Bennett County, enjoyed playing in her first ever state tournament.
“The pressure was definitely a lot, and you just had to focus in, because it’s just another volleyball game,” Henjum said. “We’ve all done it before. We just have to remember that it’s just a volleyball game.”
The match was the final one for the Northwestern seniors, who finished their careers on a high note.
“We’re happy for our seniors going out on a win. They played well tonight,” Groft said. “I thought they looked athletic and matched the athleticism on the other side. I was just really happy for them.”
The Wildcats only lost to one Class B team this past season, that coming in five sets against Warner on Friday night.
“We ended the season 37-3. That’s a long season, 40 matches,” Groft said. “All the ups and downs and the roller coaster of all that. It’s been a good journey for those kids, and just very proud of them for how they finished.”
Serving: Northwestern 9 aces (Sophia Troske 4, Brenna Halvorson 3, Ashley Haven 2); Bennett County 2 (Reagan O’Neill 1, Harley Harris 1).
Hitting: Northwestern 36 kills (Haven 17, Breelyn Satter 9, Lila Johnson 4, Taylor Vetter 4); Bennett County 29 (R. O’Neill 16, Peyson O’Neill 7).
Setting: Northwestern 30 assists (Boekelheide 28); Bennett County 28 assists (Macy Claussen 23).
Digs: Northwestern 62 (Johnson 16, Boekelheide 14, Haven 9); Bennett County 60 (P. O’Neill 17, Harris 14, Claussen 10).
Blocks: Northwestern 8 assists (Kylee Henjum 3, Haven 2, Boekelheide 2); Bennett County 0.
Records: Northwestern 37-3; Bennett County 37-7.
