MILLER — The Miller volleyball team is poised to earn a trip to the Class A State Tournament.
The Rustlers, who are the No. 5 seed, will face No. 12 Rapid City Christian in the Sweet 16 at 5:30 p.m. Today in Pierre, with the winner advancing to the Class A State Tournament.
“This team played together last year in the Sweet 16 match versus Milbank and lost,” Miller coach Linda DeBoer said. “So the goal of winning and advancing to the State A toureny has been in their minds for a year, and now the time is here.”
The Rustlers enter tonight’s match with a 24-4 record. It includes a 15-match winning streak, with only one of the four setbacks coming against a Class A opponent.
“The season rolled along pretty smoothly with the team playing well together, improving their communication and effectiveness, and having fun on the court,” DeBoer said. “We knew with our tough, competitive schedule there would be some great challenges along the way with great teams like Northwestern and Warner.
“I feel we have people playing their best ball now at the end of the season, which is ideal for the postseason,” she said.
Northwestern, which was the top-ranked team in Class B this season handed Miller a pair of losses this season, while Warner, which is another Class B powerhouse was responsible for another one of the losses. The lone Class A school to top the Rustlers this season was Redfied-Doland, which is the 10th seed in the Sweet 16.
Miller will be facing an upset-minded Rapid City Christian team, which put together a 22-8 record thus far.
“Facing a team we have not played before in a gym we haven’t played in before is both exciting and a little scary,” DeBoer said. “Rapid City Christian defeated the higher seed Lead-Deadwood to advance to this match, which is very exciting for them.
“They seem really well balanced in every position and have heighth and athleticism,” she said. “I think we will match up with them really well in every rotation. I am hopeful we will make fewer mistakes and have less unforced errors and be successful.”
Strong serving was one of the biggest keys for the Rustlers in experiencing the success they have achieved this season. As a team, Miller has converted on 94 percent of its service attempts this season.
DeBoer also pointed to her team’s ability to grow together and it’s many weapons as reasons it has been as successful as it has.
“A key to success is how well these girls play together and for one another; they began that process this summer at team camps. That work and time has paid off for them,” she said. “One more key would be everyone performing her role and making plays. We spread the ball out to four different hitters, and it seems like every match we have someone different leading the totals on defense. So balance has been key all season for us.”
Senior Karly Beckett has led the Rustlers with 329 digs and 34 ace serves this season, while sophomore Kadye Fernholz has recoreded a team-high 382 kills and 68 blocks, with a 41 percent kill efficiency.
Senior Kassie Schaefers has a serving percentage of 98 and is second on the team with 246 digs. Sophomore VonnaGail Schlechter is another offensive lead with 191 kills, while senior Annie Keeter has 124 kills and 50 blocks.
“They are playing the best they have played all season right now,” DeBoer said of Schlechter and Keeter. “Senior Teanna Pawlowski is also playing well and has added great passing control on serve receive and on defense, and with her serve to contribute to the team’s success.”
Serving as the ringleader for the Rustler offense this season has been sophomore setter Rachel Oligmueller, who has recorded 775 assists.
“She has grown in her role as our setter, spreading out the offense and making great plays on defense with 165 digs,” DeBoer said.
The eight winners from tonight’s round of Sweet 16 will close the season at the Class A State Tournament, which will be held Nov. 16-18 in Rapid City.
Photos:
Miller’s Kadye Fernholz passes the ball as teammate Karly Beckett looks on during a match against Hitchcock-Tulare on Sept. 21 in Hitchcock.
Next, Miller’s Rachel Oligmueller sets the ball as teammate Annie Keeter approaches the net during their match against Hitchcock-Tulare on Sept. 21.
And next, Miller’s Kassie Schaefers digs the ball as teammate Teanna Pawlowski looks on during their match Sept. 21 against Hitchcock-Tulare.
