Set scores were 25-21, 25-16 and 25-14.

“We came into the match knowing we needed to get going right away,” Rugby coach Jessica Fritz said. “We’re a pretty strong team offensively and we have to rely on a lot of little things to go together. It helped getting off to such a fast start because it gave the girls the confidence they needed to win.”

The District 11 champions opened the first set on a 14-8 run over the Lions, then won three straight points to take a 17-8 lead. Ryan responded with six straight points to cut the Panthers’ lead to three, but Rugby eventually pulled away for a 25-21 victory.

“One thing we really worked on this year was keeping mental toughness,” Fritz said. “As the year has gone along we’ve kept getting stronger mentally and physically. Ryan is a strong team no matter what and has always had great teams. Even when things don’t go their way you can always count on them responding. It was nice to be challenged in our first game and see what the other district has to offer.”

Garrick Hodge/MDN Rugby’s Karsyn Hager (5) records a kill during a Region 6 volleyball game Monday.

In the second set, Rugby raced out to a 7-0 lead and cruised to a 25-16 win. The Lions went point-for-point with the Panthers early in the third set and had an 8-7 lead, but Rugby went on an 8-1 run to take a 15-9 advantage. The Panthers won the set 25-14.

Maria Blessum led Rugby with 11 kills and eight digs, while Brianna Leier chipped in nine assists, Sara Stier had four aces and Anni Stier contributed three blocks.

McKinlee Harmon had 11 kills for Bishop Ryan, while Grace Candrian had 16 assists, Eden Kramer recorded an ace and Maya Wald and Nora Kramer each had one dig for Ryan.

“The girls had a lot of fight (against Rugby),” Ryan coach Kaycee Grochow said. “We’ll have a lot of youth coming into next season. It will be interesting to see where they go.”

Rugby is back in action against Des Lacs-Burlington at 6 p.m. today in the region semifinals at the Minot Municipal Auditorium

“Our girls love to play to their best but they’ll never take any team for granted,” Fritz said.

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