Kernels win fifth five-set match of season

The Mitchell volleyball team rallied from 10-5 down in the fifth set to defeat Rapid City Stevens 17-15 Saturday in Mitchell, giving the Kernels their fifth five-set victory of the season.

For the third time this season, Mitchell’s Megan Farnham broke the school record for digs in a match. She recorded 41 in the win.

“We have a lot of experience in five-set matches,” Mitchell’s Emma Schmidt said. “We came out and knew what we had to do. We just pushed to the end and got excited after every big play.”

The Raiders (11-9) took the early 5-2 lead in the fifth set, then continued to stretch their lead to 10-5. The next two points were split between the teams, bringing the score to 11-6.

The Kernels (11-6) were able to win five consecutive points on Kerri Young’s serve to tie the score at 11. Mitchell kept the momentum and set up three match points at 14-11. However, RCS won the next four points to earn its first match point.

After a Raider service error, the Kernels had back-to-back kills by Taylin Alm and Schmidt to lift them over RCS.

“I think our kids always believe we can win in set five,” said Mitchell coach Deb Thill, whose team won 25-22, 17-25, 19-25, 25-17, 17-15.

Alm led all players with 31 kills in the win.

“Taylin really had a nice match and really mixed it up well,” Thill said. “She was our go-to player today, and it was very evident that we were trying to get her the ball.”

Sidney Neugebauer recorded 24 digs, nine kills and five aces, while Kendra Morgan had 49 set assists.

Thill said the Kernels played well in the fourth set to give them a chance at winning the match.

“We really had some good aggressive serving that won that set for us,” Thill said. “I just kept telling the kids we have to be aggressive, and we can’t let them dictate the pace.”

“It’s a huge win for us because it gives us momentum going into our big match on Tuesday against Pierre,” Schmidt said. “We have to stop their runs because they’re a really good defensive team.”

Mitchell improved to 11-6 with the win and plays Eastern South Dakota Conference rival Pierre in its fourth annual “Team Pink” at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Mitchell High School.

JV: RCS, 25-14, 25-15. Kennedy Ischen had four kills and Brenna Morgan added five assists and three digs.

Sophomores: RCS, 25-10, 26-24. Kylie Barington had eight digs, Ally Goldammer had two blocks and Morgan recorded eight assists.

Freshmen A: RCS, 25-21, 25-20. Laura Freeman had seven kills and McKenzie Kotrba recorded seven assists, three kills and one ace.

Freshmen B: RCS, 25-15, 18-25, 25-18. Freeman had five aces and four kills.

Team Pink match fundraising for fight against cancer

The Mitchell Kernels’ “Team Pink” match is about a lot more than just volleyball.

This year the event is honoring Conrad Adam, a junior from Pierre, who was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year.

“We do a rose ceremony and we’ve invited Pierre athletes and coaches to participate as well,” Thill said. “Everyone involved will have a rose and will be playing in honor of or in memory of someone who has or had cancer because obviously it affects all of us. It’s a pretty touching thing if you’ve never seen it before.”

An autographed Mike Miller basketball will be auctioned off to raise money for Adam. The You’ll Never Walk Alone Foundation will match the highest bid, and the proceeds will be presented to Adam’s family.

All other proceeds of the night will go to the foundation, which was founded by Mitchell’s Stacey Morgan. Earnings from bids at the silent auction all the way to pink hair extensions will be donated to the foundation.

Morgan’s foundation will also have a booth set up with items to purchase.

The event is a statewide affair as other South Dakota schools have put fundraisers together and will make donations Tuesday night as well.

“We just want to invite everybody to come and participate and do what they can do for others who have been afflicted with cancer,” Thill said.

Tags: sports, updates, kernels, volleyball