SIOUX FALLS -- The Mitchell High School volleyball team got an up close look at the 19th team in the country.
The Kernels fell to No. 1 Sioux Falls O’Gorman in straight sets, 25-15, 25-17 and 25-16 on Thursday. The Knights are ranked 19th in the nation, according to the American Volleyball Coaches Association.
But despite the sweep, Kernel coach Deb Thill was pleased with the effort against the powerhouse program.
“I thought we competed very, very well,” Thill said. “We had to get better at serve and serve-receive and our serve-receive tonight was very good. We were able to be in system and set some things up tonight. You pretty much have to play perfect. They are very experienced. They are very good, but our kids battled. We went on some runs against them and I thought that we competed very well.”
Katy Sebert led the Kernels with 18 assists, 10 digs, five kills and two aces. Kaspen Alm added eight kills and two blocks. Cameryn Logan chipped in with seven kills and seven digs. Lizzie Tyler contributed three kills and seven digs, while Sarah Sebert added 20 digs.
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The Kernels (2-6) play at No. 2 Watertown on Sept. 29 and No. 3 Aberdeen Central on Oct 1. So Thill hopes the Kernels continue to show flashes.
“We needed to do that because we also have two highly-ranked teams in our next two matches,” Thill said. “So hopefully we can continue to keep getting better. I thought we got better tonight.”
