HURON - Samantha Boeck had a match-high 20 kills No. 2 Arlington’s three-set win over No. 7 Kimball/White Lake in the opening round of the Class B state volleyball tournament Thursday at the Huron Arena in Huron.
The WiLdKats, which are in their first year as a co-op, fell behind early and had no answer for Boeck and the rest of the Cardinal attack in the 25-10, 25-16, 25-16 loss.
“Boeck is tough and she can really take you out of your game,” WiLdKat coach Sarah Deffenbaugh said after the loss.
After a first set that was dominated by Arlington at the net, the inexperienced WiLdKats settled down and put some points together.
“There were a lot of nerves at the start tonight with it being the first time here for all of us,” saidWiLdKat senior Mary Kroupa, who finished with a team-high nine assists. “We settled down, got some good touches and we are really going to step up our game (today).”
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The WiLKats dropped a tighter second set, and took an early 6-4 lead over the Cardinals in the third. But strong serving and hitting from Arlington helped the Cardinals finish off the win.
Kimball/White Lake moves into the consolation bracket and plays a familiar foe in No. 6 Lyman, which lost its first-round match to No. 3 Chester Area in straight sets Thursday. The match is scheduled to start at 1:45 p.m. today in Huron.
“Our goal now is we need to play for pride,” Deffenbaugh said. “It’s not like districts when you lose you’re done. We have a chance to come out and redeem ourselves.”
The WiLdKats topped the Raiders in three sets on Oct. 12 in Presho.
Sophomore middle hitter Ivy Haines, who finished with team-high five kills and three blocks, led the WiLdKats Thursday.
“She did a really good job at the net, and it took some time but I think she got some really nice touches at the net,” Deffenbaugh said about Haines’ performance.
Junior Haley Pazour and freshman Brooklyn Donald each added three kills for the WiLdKats. Jazmyn Hinker added 12 digs, while Courtney Eimers had eight digs and had the team’s lone ace.
Boeck added eight digs and two blocks to go along with her 20 kills for Arlington, while Senior Brett Heuer had 31 assists in the win.
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“Overall we had nice passes to our setter who was able to deliver the ball,” Arlington coach Anita Boeck said. “It helps to have those two good plays before it gets to our hitters.”
Arlington moves on to play Chester Area in the semifinal round at 7:45 p.m. today.
