The hottest team in Class B volleyball may be Ray High School, who hasn't dropped a game since Aug. 25.
The Ray Jays (9-1 overall, 3-0 Region 8) won their last five matches by a combined score of 14-0 and are in a three-way tie atop the region standings.
"It's been a good, solid start to the season," DA coach Michelle Dolan said. "Our level of play has been real consistent and that's what I always look for out of my team."
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Ray High School senior Kendra Heier bumps the ball during Ray’s match against Tioga earlier this season. Photo courtesy of David Tengesdal.
Senior middle blocker Kendra Heier, junior middle blocker Hanna Gillund and junior setter Haley Hodenfield are leading the Jays strong start. Heier had a match-high nine kills against Kenmare and recorded 34 digs in her last two matches. Gillund had 16 kills against Tioga and Hodenfield had 71 assists in her last three matches.
"They've been good solid players," Dolan said. "They're real consistent passing, hitting and serving."
The Jays' only loss was to Our Redeemer's Christian School at the Coal Country Invite. ORCS won the match in three games. Dolan said that the loss wasn't a bad thing and will prepare the team for upcoming matches.
"We know we have some tough competition coming up," Dolan said. "You try to maintain and get better each game."
Ray plays at Divide County at 7 tonight.
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McClintock runs over Benson County
Drake-Anamoose junior running back Darin McClintock single-handedly rallied his team to a 40-26 victory over Benson County on Friday.
Trailing 18-6 in the third quarter, McClintock scored five unanswered touchdowns to give the Raiders a 40-18 lead. McClintock rushed for 267 yards on 19 carries against Benson County. His 57-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter was the longest of the game.
McClintock contributed on defense with two interceptions late in the game.
"He's a work horse," coach Chris Arnold said. "He took it upon himself in the second half to get after it. He's a kid who doesn't take no for an answer."
McClintock, who rushed for 1,726 yards and 18 touchdowns with a 10.4 yards-per-carry average as a sophomore, has six touchdowns in his first two games this season. His first touchdown came on a 58-yard run in a 42-20 loss against Towner-Granville-Upham on Aug. 31.
Arnold said that McClintock isn't the average running back.
"He's not a real fast or elusive running back," Arnold said. "If you're in his way he's just going to run over you. He has a different style than typical running back. He simply runs hard."
McClintock serves as one of the team's captains and Arnold said that he has fully embraced that role.
"He's very vocal during practice," Arnold said. "He's always positive to the young kids. He shows good composure during practice and in games and is a great example for the younger players on the team."
The Raiders (1-2 overall, 1-2 Region 3) play at Kenmare-Bowbells-Burke County at 7 p.m. on Friday.
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Waloch running by competition
Class A schools have dominated the cross country season for the most part. The only exception has been Southern McLean freshman Abigail Waloch.
Waloch won the girls individual race at the Mouse River Local Meet on Aug. 30. She finished the 4K race with a time of 15 minutes, 47 seconds. Her teammate, senior Keisha Schock, finished two seconds behind Waloch for second place.
Waloch shaved 22 seconds in the Becki Wells Invitational on Saturday. She finished seventh in the field of 99 with a time of 15:25, the best mark of any runner from Class B. Bismarck High, Bismarck Century and West Fargo had the top-six finishers.
Waloch improved her time in each of her last two meets. She ran 16:14 at the "Orr"iginals Invite in her first meet of the season on Aug. 24. Her time placed her third in the field, but first of runners from Class B.
Waloch's next race is at 1 p.m. in the Mandan Invitational on Saturday.