×

ORCS volleyball halts upset-minded Ryan

Alex Eisen/MDN Our Redeemer's junior Calli Weekley (13) rises up to hit the ball over the net Tuesday evening in a District 12 volleyball match against Bishop Ryan.

ultiple times Tuesday evening to prevent Bishop Ryan from beating the Knights for the first time in seven years.

ORCS (5-3, 2-0 District 12) dropped the first set but won the match 3-1 by set scores of 21-25, 25-13, 25-23, 26-24.

“Woo, that was an awesome match from both sides of the court,” ORCS head coach Kara Nunziato said. “Bishop Ryan played fundamentally solid defense. They were incredibly scrappy and made us really work for every point.”

The opening set was up for grabs for both teams up to 15 points. The Lions, however, won the crucial points down the stretch to pull away. A block on set point gave Ryan a 25-21 first set win.

“This way by far the most fun I’ve had this season,” Ryan head coach Nick Theis said. “Obviously, it didn’t end the way we wanted, but I can’t be disappointed with what we did. We worked together and believed in each other.”

Alex Eisen/MDN Ryan senior Sylvie Kramer (left) prepares to receive a serve Tuesday evening at Our Redeemer's.

The Knights recovered from a slow start to the second set with a 5-0 run to regain control and take a 9-7 lead.

Ryan (4-2, 1-1 District 12) got within a point at 13-12, but ORCS found another gear to orchestrate a 6-0 run to build a decent cushion and then scored the last six points of the frame to close out the second set on a dominating 12-1 run.

ORCS senior libero Kendal Braun notched an ace on set point to even the match at one game apiece.

“Kendal Braun showed some solid leadership on that back row,” Nunziato said.

In the third set, Ryan turned around a 14-10 deficit into ORCS having to call a timeout down 17-15. Back-to-back aces in the middle of Knight’s defense by Sydney Upton had Ryan up 20-16.

Trailing 23-20, ORCS buckled down and notched the final five points of the set for a come from behind victory. Calli Weekley had a timely kill, Halle Vibeto rocketed in an ace and a Ryan attack error into the net decided set point.

“It was really fun,” Weekley said. “I really liked the environment. We were all loud and talking.”

Weekley provided a pure reaction tap kill early into the fourth set to keep the Knights rolling. But the Lions weren’t going to lay down. A pair of kills from Berkley Lundeen and Upton put Ryan up 13-11.

Lundeen surfaced again with a low-trajectory bump with her back facing the net that somehow dropped in the middle of the court to increase Ryan’s lead to 17-14.

Olivia Nelson tapped down a kill to even the set at 21-21. She was then part of a block with Aubrey Griedl to keep the frame going at 24-24.

An ace and an attack error got the Knights home, 26-24.

“We are learning how to play with each other and how to fight back in tight moments,” Nunziato said. “I think tonight they proved they have the mental toughness to compete with any team.”

Weekley led the Knights with 12 kills. Setter Eden Olson was reliable as usual, with 32 assists. Sydney Popinga caused problems behind the service line with seven aces.

For Ryan, Upton buried a match-high 18 kills, followed by Sylvie Kramer with 10 and Lundeen with six. Magee Rovig and Maleah Abel combined for 31 assists. Upton (16), Sylvie Kramer (11), Maddie Hedberg (10) and Nora Kramer (10) all finished with double-digit digs.

“The girls are buying in and believe they can be as good as we tell them,” Theis said. “They want to be winners.”

Moving forward, both teams are back in action at 7 p.m. on Thursday. ORCS travels to Des Lacs/Burlington while Ryan heads to South Prairie.

Alex Eisen covered Minot State athletics, the Minot Minotauros and high school sports. You can still follow him on Twitter @AEisen13.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today