Netters split in Region 4 contests

Nathan Price | Oct 23, 2023

Amy Wobbema count

Left: Kaiya O'Connor and Lora Wobbema attempt a block against LA/E-M Cardinals senior Cora Badding on Tuesday, Oct. 17. Wobbema led the Rockets with three blocks in the tough contest. O'Connor had two blocks.

Amy Wobbema count

Kelsie Belquist dives to cover a hit from Langdon.

Amy Wobbema count

Lucy Meier digs up a hit from North Prairie on Thursday, Oct. 12

On Tuesday, Oct. 17, the No. 7 New Rockford-Sheyenne Rockets took on the No. 2 Langdon Area/Edmore/Munich Cardinals in what many believe was a preview of the eventual Super Region 4 championship game.

For the Cardinals, who are typically a sure bet to qualify for state, it was also an opportunity to get back at the Rockets for last year's region championship, when the Rockets pulled off a stunning upset and qualified for their first state tournament in program history.

The Rockets, meanwhile, had been enjoying an impressive run of 21 consecutive set wins, and had yet to drop a set against region 4 competition.

Unfortunately for NR-S, that run would come to an end on Tuesday.

As the first set got underway, neither team was capable of establishing a clear advantage, and the lead swapped hands multiple times.

However, it was the Cardinals who began taking advantage of Rocket errors in the later stages of set one, and they quickly claimed momentum for themselves.

When the first set ended at 25-19 in the Cardinals' favor, the Rockets' starters held a brief players-only discussion on the court. Whatever was said during that discussion appeared to have a positive impact, as NR-S got off to an excellent 5-1 start to begin the second set.

The Cardinals eventually responded with an impressive run of their own, however, and built a 13-8 lead about midway through the set – a lead which only grew larger as the set continued.

The Cardinals ultimately took the second set with a comfortable 25-13 win, and despite their best efforts, the Rockets were unable to right the ship in the third set, eventually falling 25-17 to complete a 3-0 sweep for the Cardinals.

The end result was reminiscent of last year's regular season matchup between the two teams, when the Cardinals earned a similarly dominant 3-0 sweep on the Rockets' home court.

As they did a year ago, the Cardinals proved themselves the better team on the day. When it matters most, however, the reigning region champions will be hoping to get the last laugh once again.

The Rockets' loss on Tuesday came after a dominant 3-0 win over the North Prairie Cougars on Thursday, Oct. 12, which was a far more complete performance by NR-S.

The Rockets finished the first set in quick succession with a 25-4 score. Set two was a bit more competitive, with North Prairie scoring 15 points. The Rockets were back on in the third, finishing the sweep with a 25-10 win. The Rockets combined for 15 ace serves.

Following the two region games the Rockets' overall record was brought to 23-6 and their region record to 6-1.

The Rockets have a big week ahead. They host the 5-14 Griggs-Midkota Titans of Region 3 on Monday, Oct. 23, then travel to McVille Tuesday and Minnewaukan Thursday to complete Super Region 4 competition for the season.

Region 4 Volleyball

NR-S 3, NP 0

at New Rockford

Thursday, Oct. 12

NR-S: 25 25 25 X X - 3

N. Prairie: 4 15 10 X X - 0

NR-S Individual

Statistics:

Kills: Kelsie Belquist 14, Ava Peterson 7, Lora Wobbema 5, Lucy Meier 5, Kaiya O'Connor 1, Addy Fandrich 1.

Assists: O'Connor 74, Meier 2.

Digs: Meier 12, Peterson 10, Logan Cudworth 7, Belquist 5, Wobbema 3, O'Connor 1.

Blocks: Peterson 1, Fandrich 1