Volleyball Preview: Lady Bulldogs Take Center Court in Region Semifinals

The Milbank Area Lady Bulldogs are ready to take center court when they face the Webster Area Bearcats. The second semi-final contest of the Region 1A high school volleyball tournament is this evening at the Milbank Armory. The teams will battle it out in the second game of the night. Sisseton and Groton Area face each other in the opening game at 6 p.m.

Milbank Area defeated Webster Area 3-1 a few weeks ago during the regular season, but the Lady Bulldogs were down one starter. The locals are back to full strength tonight and hope to earn a spot in the championship tilt.
“I think there are a few nerves building up,” said Milbank Area head coach Nancy Hoeke. “The girls want the dream.”

Hoeke noted that the Lady Bulldogs need to “do what we do”. “We have to play the game and be sure to execute the basics,” she explained. “Each player needs to do her job whether it’s steady passing, setting or attacking, and then go the extra by getting a great save, an amazing dig or hitting the ball down the line.”

Coach Hoeke also mentioned the importance of the players communicating with one another about strategy and encourage each other at all times. “It all has to come together,” she said. “Anything less can make it difficult and frustrating. But we have the tools to get this done and the pieces to the puzzle to put a great picture together!”