Kindred High school coach Brooks Dockter didn't give much credence to his team's two-game lead.
Considering the fact the Vikings' foe, Langdon, advanced to Saturday night's Class B championship by way of a string of comebacks, the cushion was an afterthought.
Dockter, and his raucous supporters who made the 272-mile jaunt, were more interested finishing the job.
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Daniel Allar/MDN
Kindred’s Kellie Schmit (11) and Emily Cose (3) watch Schmit’s spike attempt sail over the hands of Langdon’s Kaylee Anderson during the championship match of the Class B state tournament Saturday at the Minot State University Dome.
But after Abbey Braaten's kill attempt was stuffed in the fourth set, Kindred finally cemented its first-ever state title, downing the never-say-die Cardinals 25-17, 22-25, 25-17, 25-22 at the Minot State University Dome.
"Langdon had Park River on the ropes yesterday, so nothing is ever final with them," Dockter said. "In the third set our kids took more swings and our kids just gutted it out."
Kellie Schmit, Kindred's UND-bound outside hitter, spearheaded one of the more dominant state tournament runs in recent memory. The strong-armed senior finished with a team-high 20 kills, 11 digs, four blocks and two aces.
She finished the tournament with 50 kills and 13 aces.
"I'm not sure words can describe it, really," Dockter said. "The girls set a goal and they accomplished it."
Kindred, which hadn't lost a set since October, dropped its second set against Langdon after dominating the first. From there the Vikings atoned for the hiccup.
The tournament fixture Cardinals - who fell short of their fourth title in 15 appearances - were led by Braaten's 15 kills. Kindred was also paced by the play of Casey Allmaras, who had 36 assists.