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Knighted again

ORCS wins fourth straight Region 6 championship

Garrick Hodge/MDN The Our Redeemer’s volleyball team celebrates after the final point of their Region 6 championship Thursday in Minot.

After losing six seniors from last year’s state runner-up team, there were expectations that the Our Redeemer’s volleyball team would take a step back in 2017.

The Knights disproved that theory in dramatic fashion throughout the Region 6 tournament, punching their ticket to state for the fourth straight season.

ORCS defeated Rugby 3-0 in the region championship Thursday, beat Lewis & Clark/Berthold 3-1 in the semifinals and swept TGU 3-0 in the first round. Set scores for the Knights’ fourth consecutive Region 6 championship were 25-13, 25-21 and 25-23.

“It feels really good. I know we were counted out right at the beginning of the season and that really lit a fire under us to really show people what we have,” ORCS senior outside hitter Karolynn Winger said. “Even though we lost about half of our starters from last year, we knew we could come back and be a really strong team.”

ORCS came out the gates swinging with an 11-3 run in the first set. The Panthers couldn’t weather the storm and eventually fell 25-13.

“We always knew Our Redeemer’s was going to be a tough team,” Rugby coach Jessica Fritz said. “It seemed like they got everything we put down. Our girls fought through everything. We really started out slow and it gave our girls a few nerves they weren’t sure what to do with. After that, it was a game. We went point-for-point with them and were right there but we just couldn’t capitalize tonight.”

In the second set, Rugby jumped out to a 11-6 lead but the Knights responded and eventually tied the set at 16 apiece. ORCS closed the set on a 9-5 run to win 25-21.

The third set was tightly contested and saw both teams trade points until the very end, but the Knights made more plays down the stretch in a 25-23 victory.

“It really comes down to how hard these girls work,” ORCS coach Kara Nunziato said. “They put in a lot of time in agility training in the summers and go to all sorts of camps. They come in and are excited to play the game. It’s a coach’s’ dream to coach a team like this.”

Winger led ORCS with 13 kills, three aces and 14 digs. Meanwhile, Eden Olson had 17 assists, while Karlee Zablotney chipped in 19 digs, 12 assists and six kills. Tessa Olson recorded 16 digs in the match.

Ryleigh Popinga chipped in eight kills, an ace and 14 digs and was later named the Region 6 Senior Athlete of the Year.

“It’s really special,” Popinga said. “I could really give this award to my team and my coach. They push me to be better every day and I owe it all to them.”

For Rugby, Maria Blessum led the Panthers with 10 kills, four blocks and 22 digs. Sara Stier chipped in six kills, and aces. Jacque Blessum recorded five kills, five blocks and 12 digs, while Alissa Volk notched 10 assists.

ORCS (36-7) should know its seeding later tonight for next weekend’s state tournament Nov. 16-18 in Fargo.

Garrick Hodge covers Minot State athletics, the Minot Minotauros and high school sports. Follow him on Twitter @Garrick_Hodge.

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