Milbank Area Drops to Tough Northwestern Team

The Milbank Area Lady Bulldogs dropped 3-0 to a very tough Northwestern team in non-conference high school volleyball action Saturday in Mellette. The locals season record falls to 12-10 with the loss.

“They (Northwestern) are just very good,” noted head volleyball coach Nancy Hoeke. The Lady Bulldogs lost all three sets by scores of 25-16, 25-13 and 25-14.

Caryssa Mielitz led the Milbank Area attack with five kills on 33-39 hitting, 7-8 serving, two blocks and 15 digs. Katie Cannedy followed with four kills on 8-11 hitting and nine digs while Molly Rick added two kills on 10-11 hitting, 6-7 serving and 12 digs. Rachelle Gabriel rounded out the hitting forces with one kill on 8-12 hitting and 1 solo block.

Mikaela Hoeke went 67-68 setting with 12 assists, 11-11 serving and had 10 digs. Mackayla Schuelke had one assist on 9-9 setting, 5-5 serving and eight digs while Madi Schulte went 8-8 setting with one assist, 7-8 serving with one ace and 14 digs. Maty Lightfield rounded out the team totals going 5-6 serving. The Lady Bulldogs were 91% serving on the night with one lone ace on 41-45 serving.

Milbank Area has two regular season contests remaining. The Lady Bulldogs will host Webster Area Friday, October 23, and Deubrook Area Monday, October 26, before heading into post-season action.

Junior Varsity – The Milbank Area junior varsity team fell 2-0 with scores of 25-16 and 25-16 to Northwestern Saturday. Gabbi Cummins led the locals attack with three kills on 12-15 hitting, one ace on 5-6 serving and six digs. Alexis Folk followed with three kills on 8-9 hitting and one block. Jaecy Engebretson chipped in with two kills on 4-4 hitting, two assists on 7-7 setting and five digs. Maty Lightfield ran the offense with two assists on 13-14 setting and 8-9 serving. Also contributing for Milbank Area were Mady Hilbrands, two aces on 7-7 serving and one block, and Jaden Hoeke, three digs.