Harrisburg, O’Gorman spoil openers for Aberdeen Central, Watertown
RAPID CITY — Fifth-seeded O’Gorman won a rematch with No. 4 Watertown and joined No. 1 Harrisburg, No. 2 Sioux Falls Jefferson and No. 3 Sioux Falls Washington in tallying first-round victories Thursday in the state Class AA volleyball tournament.
O’Gorman’s 25-16, 25-12 and 25-22 win over Watertown, a team the Knights had needed five sets to beat during the regular season, was one of three 3-0 sweeps. Harrisburg and Jefferson also won in straight sets.
Washington closed out the day with a 3-1 win over Sioux Falls Lincoln in the Summit Arena at The Monument.
“It was just a very slow start for the Arrows,” Watertown coach Rosemary
Bellum said. “Playing at The Monument is a different atmosphere and can rattle teams.”
Defending champion Harrisburg and O’Gorman meet in the first semifinal at 6 p.m. Friday, followed by Jefferson and Washington at 7;45 p.m.
Watertown and Aberdeen Central meet in the consolation semifinals at noon with Brandon Valley and Lincoln set for 1:45 p.m.
No. 1 Harrisburg 3,
No. 8 Aberdeen Central 0
The Tigers improved to 29-0 withy a 25-18, 25-16 and 25-18 win over the Golden Eagles (14-12).
Gabi Zachariasen tallied 14 kills and nine digs, Koralynn Leach nine kills, Josalyn Samuels 35 assists, Kennedy Kokenge five aces, Maggie Meister 14 digs and Lauren Vengenga four block assists for Harrisburg.
Aberdeen Central got six kills from Lauryn Burckhard, five kills each from Ashley Wangler and Kenadi Withers, three aces and 10 digs from Sawyer Bahr and two solo and one block assists from Taryn Nieman.
No. 5 O’Gorman 3, No. 4 Watertown 0
After rallying for the five-set regular season win in Watertown, the Knights had an easier time in the rematch.
Keira McManus recorded 10 kills and one solo and four block assists, Makenzie Walsh eight kills and three block assists, Kyra Hermanson 28 assists and Tyla Mauney 23 digs for O’Gorman (18