HURON — The Huron Tigers volleyball team was short a pair of regular contributors on the team Thursday, but they were still able to defeat the Harrisburg at the Huron Arena, 25-17, 24-26, 25-14, 25-16.

Missing two members of the rotation meant that players were in different positions on the floor, and the team had anxiety about the players missing. Coach Buddenhagen said the team that was present showed well.

“Our kids really stepped up to the plate,” Buddenhagen glowed. “We owned (our anxiety) and moved forward.”

A strong first set from Brooke Schiltz led Huron to a first set victory as Schiltz posted an ace, a block, and recorded six kills in the first set alone. Huron took the first set 25-17.

The missing depth for the Tigers was notable in the second set as Huron got into ruts and didn’t have players that typically would be able to provide a spark on the court. Harrisburg was able to continually meet each Huron run and finally took the set 26-24.

The third set went back and forth initially, but Huron went on a prolonged run behind the serving of Mattie Huber to take a big lead. Harrisburg could never claw back in, and Huron took the third set 25-14.

Huron used a big hitting attack to keep Harrisburg at bay in the third set, with Schiltz, Brynn Gose, and Heavan Gainey each having big kills during the final set. Fittingly, Schiltz ended up with the ball at the service line at match point and served up an ace to give Huron the set 25-16 and the match 3-1.

Coach Buddenhagen credited the balanced hitting attack to quality work from the back line.

“This might have been our best match passing,” Buddenhagen noted. “Our back row did a nice job passing and getting the ball to Tenley to set things up.”

Between the first and second sets, Tenley Buddenhagen was honored for recording her 2,000th career assist.

“Sometimes you take coach’s kids for granted, but Tenley’s special out there” Coach Buddenhagen said, “She sees things on the court many times before I do.”

Schiltz led Huron (7-2) with 14 kills and also recorded a pair of service aces on the night. Mikena Moore finished the night with 11 kills and three aces. Brynn Gose contributed eight kills and three blocks.

Mattie Huber was 19 of 19 from the service line on the night. Tenley Buddenhagen was 22 of 23 at the service line with three aces along with 16 digs and 40 assists on the night.

Hamtyn Heinz was 15 of 17 serving with three aces and led Huron with 32 digs.

Harrisburg fell to 3-5 on the season with the loss. They were led by Hannah Healy with eight kills.

Harrisburg won the JV match 2-1 while Huron won the sophomore match 2-1.

Huron hosts Aberdeen Central on Tuesday at the Huron Arena at 7 p.m.