Top-seeded Miller opens A tourney with sweep against RCC

SIOUX FALLS — The Miller Rustlers progress to the semifinals round after a decisive 3-0 sweep over the Rapid City Christian Lady Comets, as the two teams met for the first time of the volleyball season at the Class “A” quarterfinals match during the State Tournament held on Thursday afternoon in Sioux Falls.
“It feels great to be playing in the semifinals. The girls are excited to be playing in the night session,” explained Miller coach Linda DeBoer. “We accomplish our goals one match at a time together.”
Miller improved its season record to 29-2. Set scores for the Rustlers were 25-19, 25-12, 25-10, while the Lady Comets’ record fell to 25-13.
Kayde Fernholz led the Rustlers with 23 kills, adding to the junior middle hitter’s impressive total of 494 kills on the season so far. Miller’s VonnaGail Schlechter tallied 12 kills during the match to maintain the team’s strong offensive attack. Kailen Krause served three aces to total 31 aces this season, while Madison Wetz added another ace for the Rustlers.
On Miller’s defense, the leading player for team was Wetz, who dug out 13 attempts by the Lady Comets, while Schlechter and Fernholz made eight digs each, plus another dozen digs were split evenly between Rachel Oligmueller and Krause to keep the ball off the ground.
Rapid City Christian’s Tori Altstiel alongside Olivia Kieffer led the Lady Comet’s, as each player hit seven kills, while Rebecca Morgan made three aces in attempts to create an opportunity for the number eight seeded team, but were unable to match up to the challenging encounter with their rival.
Miller took the first point of the match, as the Rustlers trailed closely behind the Lady Comets for a short while. Then Miller caught fire and rapidly went to set point with back-to-back kills by Fernholz, which sent Rapid City Christian into a final time out during the first set. A Kailen Krause kill ended the first set, with a score of 25-19 for Miller.

“Once we got the jitters out and settled in we started playing better together,” DeBoer explained. “That is key to our success, that all players bring their “A” game and contribute positively in their role. We just needed to remember to play the same way that got us here, emphasizing our strengths and minimizing unforced errors.”
Miller’s well-built lineup covered all areas of the court. As the team’s forceful energy continued to strengthen, the Rustlers opened up the second set with an 8-0 run. The Lady Comets couldn’t build their score up past 12, while a pair of kills from VonnaGail Schlechter ended the second period at a 25-12 set score.
Ultimately, Miller breezed through the third set with two already claimed. The Rustlers ended the last period at 25-10, with the team’s best score of the three sets.
“The team plays with a lot of emotion and enthusiasm,” DeBoer said. “Hopefully that continues to propel us in the right direction.”
The Miller Rustlers advance to the semifinals match as the team prepares to take on Elk Point-Jefferson at 6 p.m. tonight, while the Lady Comets move to the consolation semifinals match at noon against Winner, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center.

Miller         25  25  25
Rapid City Christian     19  12  10
Hitting: M — Kadye Fernholz 23 kills; VonnaGail Schlechter 12 kills. RCC — Tori Altstiel 7 kills; Olivia Kieffer 7 kills.
Serving: M — Kailen Krause 3 aces; Madison Wetz 1 ace. RCC — Rebecca Morgan 3 aces; Tori Altstiel 1 ace.
Setting: M — Rachel Oligmueller 43 assists. RCC — Riley Freeland 14 assists.
Digs: M — Madison Wetz 12; VonnaGail Schlechter 11. RCC — Tori Altstiel 8; Riley Freeland 5.
Blocks: M — Kadye Fernholz 4; Josi Stevens 2. RCC — Tori Altstiel 2.