ORCS punched its ticket to the Region 6 championship Tuesday after taking down Lewis & Clark Berthold in the semifinals, 3-1. Set scores were 25-10, 19-25, 25-15 and 25-23. The Knights will play Rugby for a fourth straight region championship at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Minot Municipal Auditorium.

“This team is a phenomenal team,” ORCS coach Kara Nunziato said. “I really love these girls. They’re just true teammates and they’ve worked really for moments like these. We’re looking forward to Thursday.”

Berthold’s second set win snapped a 31-set Region 6 winning streak for the Knights dating back to 2014.

“The streak was never really something we focused on, we just strive to come out on the court and play the best game we can possibly play,” Nunziato said.

Photos courtesy of Al Christianson ORCS setter Eden Olson (11) sets up a teammate with a pass.

After the Knights dominated the first set 25-10, L&C responded by taking a 16-12 lead and hanging on for a 25-19 win.

“We knew coming into tonight that they’re just an incredible team,” L&C coach Brooke Storro said. “They fight till the bitter end and play great defense. We knew it would be a tough match for us and it was.”

The Knights bounced back with a 25-15 win in the third set, but found themselves trailing 14-10 in set four. L&C had ORCS on the brink of a fifth set leading 22-18, but the Knights went on a 7-1 run to close out the match.

“I’m proud of my team,” Storro said. “Our goal for this tournament was to come in and sneak three wins. I think tonight is a showing of that want. We played right until the last point.”

Karolynn Winger led ORCS with 17 kills, while Ryleigh Popinga chipped in 15. Karlee Zablotney contributed 24 assists, two aces, a block and 20 digs, while Tessa Olson had 21 digs.

For L&C, Toni Hamilton had 12 kills and three blocks, Laura Vangsness racked up 33 assists and Corina Pabian notched 23 digs.

The Knights face Rugby at 7:30 p.m. Thursday with a trip to state on the line.

“Rugby is a solid team and they have a lot of athletic players,” Nunziato said. “The biggest thing is we have to take care of the game from our side of the court first. We just have to play a consistent game of volleyball.”

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