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.

“We always know coming across town is hard,” said McCloud. “They had the home crowd and the home court so we just focused on our game. We got out of system in the second set, but we re-focused and reeled it back in.”

The fourth set was tight for the first 15 points (8-7 RCS) but the Raiders then pulled away after rattling off a 13-3 run. McCloud led the way hammering four kills in the final set.

“The seniors on the floor tonight stayed composed,” said Lien. “When they do that everybody else follows. They never panicked. All of that positive energy trickled through everybody.”

Central won the district championship win over Stevens in 2009. They went on to finish runner up at the state tournament. Wolfe said the mentality of this year’s squad needs to change when they have the lead.

“Right now we’re happy being ahead by a point,” said Wolfe. “You have to want to hammer teams by ten. We need to get that mentality of cream teams, don’t just beat them.”

The Cobblers were led by Markie Kruse and Kayla Deranleau who had nine kills apiece. Kelsey Olson had a game-high 11 kills for the Raiders.

Stevens (3-0 overall, 1-0 GDC) and Central  (1-2 overall, 0-1 GDC) won’t be back in action until Friday, Sept. 10th, when they travel to Sioux Falls to take on all four Class AA Sioux Falls schools.