The Lady Bulldogs celebrated Pink Night and posted a 3-1 victory over Waverly-South Shore in non-conference high school volleyball action at the Milbank Armory... Lady Bulldogs Soar to Victory

The Lady Bulldogs celebrated Pink Night and posted a 3-1 victory over Waverly-South Shore in non-conference high school volleyball action at the Milbank Armory on Tuesday, October 22. The win boosted Milbank’s season record to 10-15.

“Without starter Jaecy Engebretson in the lineup we had a big hole to fill,” said MHS head coach Nancy Hoeke. “Madi Thue really stepped up her offense, getting 15 kills. She is able to hit down the line, and she got a good number of kills by going there. Freshman Averie Engebretson played her sister’s spot… She was the second leading kill-getter with eight.”

Milbank started the first set by building a 15-9 lead. The Coyotes came back with solid kills and unforced errors by the Lady Bulldogs evened the score at 18-18. The Coyotes jumped ahead at 18-20, but Milbank knotted the score at 20-20. They tied again at 24-24 with a kill by Thue and an ace by Tracy Pillatzki. A Waverly-South Shore error and another ace by Pillatzki gave Milbank the 26-24 first set win.

Milbank settled into their new lineup and rotations during the second set. The Lady Bulldogs took control early and cruised to a 25-19 victory.

Troubles ensued early in the third set for Milbank. The Lady Bulldogs fell behind at 2-7, but managed to pull to within two points late in the set at 19-21. Amy Nelson dropped in an ace and A. Engebretson belted out a kill to even the score at 21-21. Unforced errors by Milbank and a tip kill by Waverly-South Shore gave the Coyotes the 25-23 win to extend the match to the fourth set.

Milbank fell behind early in the fourth set at 9-17. Kills by Elsie Rogers, A. Engebretson, and Madi Thue; a bump-kill by Hallie Schulte; and an ace by Nelson inched Milbank to within two points at 20-22. Pillatzki blocked a Coyote hit, and Waverly-South Shore committed two errors to give Milbank the 23-22 advantage. A Lady Bulldog error evened the score at 23-23. Thue pounded down a kill for the 24-23 lead. The Coyotes then committed a net error to give Milbank the 25-23 win.

“Overcoming that 9-17 deficit in the fourth set was miraculous,” exclaimed Hoeke.

Thue led the Lady Bulldogs attack with 15 kills on 50-56 hitting, 12-13 serving, and 19 digs. A. Engebretson followed with eight kills on 36-38 hitting, two aces on 12-12 serving, six assists on 43-44 setting, and 16 digs. Rogers tallied six kills on 33-39 hitting and six digs. Pillatzki added six kills on 22-29 hitting, 12-14 serving with three aces, 15 digs, and two blocks. Nelson contributed eight assists on 51-52 setting, four aces on 21-21 serving, 15-18 hitting, and 26 digs. Cassidy Christians earned 74-75 setting with 17 assists, 14-15 serving, 6-7
hitting, and 13 digs.

Schulte led the Lady Bulldog defense with 34 digs. She was also 11-12 serving, 5-5 setting, and 2-2 hitting with one kill. Casside Seezs chipped in with one kill on 4-5 hitting and one dig; Shelby Lee was 2-2 serving, and Siri Bien 1-1 serving.

Photo – Madi Thue

Staff Writer

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