Lady Bulldogs Defeat Roncalli

The Milbank Area Lady Bulldogs took home a big 3-1 victory over Aberdeen Roncalli in volleyball action Thursday, September 1. It was their third road game of the season. Milbank Area improved its record to 3-0.

“The first two games of the season, we didn’t really have our backs against the wall,” stated Coach Nancy Hoeke. “This game gave us a better idea where are strengths and weaknesses lie and how we handle pressure. I think we did quite well.”

After settling into the flow of the first set, Milbank Area soared ahead with several short runs to secure a 25-13 win. Milbank came out flat in the second set and Roncalli pulled its offense together. The Lady Bulldogs fell 25-16.

Milbank Area got behind early in the third set and trailed 6-1. They battled back with big kills by Caryssa Mielitz, Molly Rick, and Jaden Hoeke to take the advantage at 14-13. Milbank Area maintained control throughout the rest of the set and won 25-21.

Roncalli committed several errors to start the fourth set. The Lady Bulldogs found themselves ahead 13-8 before Aberdeen pulled to within one point at 13-12. Mielitz made three kills and Mikaela Hoeke dropped in two aces to widen the gap to 19-15. Rick and Madi Schulte finished out the set at 25-20 with a kill apiece.

Mielitz led the Lady Bulldogs with 20 kills on 43-49 hitting, two aces on 17-18 serving, 21 digs, and one block. Rick followed with nine kills on 27-31 hitting, one ace on 10-10 serving, two assists on 7-7 setting, and 27 digs. Jaden Hoeke added four kills on 7-8 hitting, four assists on 16-16 setting, and five digs. Jaecy Engebretson contributed three kills on 13-14 hitting, one assist on 3-3 setting, 12-13 serving, and seven digs.

Mikaela Hoeke ran the offense with 33 assists on 96-98 setting, two aces on 21-21 serving, seven kills on 16-18 hitting, 17 digs, and one block. Schulte led the Lady Bulldog defense with 24 digs, four assists on 9-9 setting, one kill on 3-3 hitting, and 11-13 serving. Maty Lightfield chipped in with 8-8 serving, 7-7 setting, one kill, and 10 digs. Mady Hilbrands had one kill on 7-8 hitting and four digs.

Milbank Area will compete in the Sioux Falls Christian volleyball tournament Saturday, September 3. Games begin at 9 a.m.

Junior Varsity and C team – The Milbank Area junior varsity and C teams both suffered a 2-0 loss to Aberdeen Roncalli Thursday night. The two teams will be back in action Thursday, September 8, in Webster.

Senior Madi Schulte.

Click here to view our full album of photos from the Milbank vs. Roncalli match!