Lady Bulldogs Advance to Region Semi-Finals

The Lady Bulldogs secured a first round victory in the Region 1A high school volleyball tournament Tuesday, October 31, in Milbank. Milbank Area shutout Webster Area 3-0.

The Lady Bulldogs travel to Groton Thursday, November 2, to take on the No. 1 seeded Lady Tigers in Region 1A semi-final action beginning at 7 p.m. The winner advances to the Sweet 16 tournament.

In other first round contests, No. 2 Redfield-Doland defeated No. 7 Tiospa Zina 3-0 with scores of 25-6, 25-12, and 25-9. No. 3 Aberdeen Roncalli downed No. 6 Sisseton 3-0 by scores of 25-19, 25-12, and 25-14. Redfield-Doland and Roncalli battle it out for a Sweet 16 berth on Thursday, November 2, in Redfield.

The Lady Bulldogs jumped out to a 17-12 lead in the first set. They cruised to the 25-16 win with kills by Jaecy Engebretson, Molly Rick, and Jaden Hoeke. Makayla Johnson dropped in three aces to seal the victory.

The Lady Bulldogs started out hot in the second set. Kills by Hoeke, Engebretson, Rick, and Gabbi Cummins and five aces by Engebretson gave Milbank Area a commanding 14-1 lead. The Dawgs pushed ahead to win the set 25-11.

In the third and final set, Milbank Area soared ahead 11-6 following two back-to-back aces by Rick. The Lady Bulldogs extended their lead to 22-13 with kills by Johnson, Cummins, Rick, and Engebretson and a block by Johnson. Webster Area committed several unforced errors which Milbank Area capitalized on to take the win at 25-17.

Engebretson led the Lady Bulldogs’ attack with 11 kills on 25-25 hitting, five aces on 18-19 serving, six assists on 20-20 setting, and 12 digs. Rick followed with eight kills on 19-24 hitting, three aces on 12-12 serving, and 10 digs. Johnson tallied four kills on 5-8 hitting and one block. Maty Lightfield added 17 assists on 30-30 setting. Cummins finished the game with nine digs and one block.

Photo: Sophomore Jaecy Engebretson.