Stevens topped the Cobblers in four games at Howard Naasz Gymnasium, 25-12, 20-25, 25-21 and 25-19 Thursday night. (Photo Jake Nordbye)
RAPID CITY—For two and a half sets on Thursday night the Stevens and Central volleyball teams were evenly matched. The Raiders won the first set 25-12. The Cobblers won the second 25-20. However, despite being on enemy turf, The No. 3-ranked Class AA Raiders grabbed the momentum in the third set and never looked back winning the third and fourth sets 25-21 and 25-19. What was the difference? The answer depends on which side of the net one was on.
“They were serving at us and we weren’t getting the ball to our setter in system,” said Stevens head coach Josh Lien. “We didn’t make any changes, instead we talked about what makes us good serve receivers and started executing. Game 4, our setter didn’t have to move much, and our offense took advantage. That was the difference.”
Cobbler’s head coach Shelly Wolfe had a different perception of the events that swung the momentum in the Raiders direction in the third set.
“If we would have served well, it’s a whole different match,” said Wolfe. “That was the difference. We missed 12 serves. That’s a lot of points to lose. If you don’t serve, you don’t win and that is the bottom line.”
With the third set knotted at 18-18, Stevens got big kills from Kelsey Olson and Karlee Huber. The two teams then traded points, followed by services errors from Central. Margaret McCloud hit a perfectly placed lob to the back line sealing the third set for the Raiders. McCloud finished with 8 kills, and said it was important for the team to maintain its composure in a hostile environment.
(Rapid City, SD) – Today, the Rapid City Rush are making noise with a pair of big signings for the 2010-11 season. The Rush welcome back last season’s and also add defenseman Vladimir Hartinger who will serve as player-assistant for the upcoming season. The signing bring the 2010-11 Rush roster total to 13 players.
Battochio returns after a stellar rookie campaign that culminated with a CHL Finals Game 6 victory to secure the Presidents’ Cup for Rapid City.
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