James Jackson/MDN Knights senior middle hitter Aubrey Griedl was the net’s gatekeeper both offensively and defensively in Our Redeemer’s 3-0 victory over Des Lacs-Burlington on Tuesday night.

In a battle of teams looking to assert their dominance in the Region 6 pecking order, Our Redeemer’s Christian School (ORCS) traveled to Des Lacs-Burlington for a District 12 showdown Tuesday night.

Coming off a 3-0 victory against Mohall-Landsford-Sherwood, the Our Redeemer’s Knights (15-7-1 overall, 3-0 Region 6) entered Tuesday’s contest against DLB sitting atop the District 12 standings and having shown a propensity to overwhelm their opponents offensively this season.

Outside of their 2-1 victory over Bishop Ryan, 14 wins for the Knights have come in the form of a sweep.

Ironically, in their seven losses recorded by the NDHSAA, ORCS has been on the receiving end of a sweep by their opponents.

Entering their matchup with a proven ORCS squad, the Des Lacs-Burlington Lakers (4-1 overall, 2-0 Region 6) looked to put the first blemish on the Knights’ perfect Region 6 record.

After knocking off South-Prairie Max 3-1 on the road last Thursday, the Lakers had their sights set on extending their winning streak and being the lone undefeated team in Region 6 play in the aftermath of Tuesday night’s match.

Even before the match began, the atmosphere was permeated with electricity, as fans of both teams filled the stands to watch what would turn out to be a top-tier display of all-around volleyball action.

Wasting no time in running up the score and showing off her serving prowess, ORCS junior setter Allie Francis would give the Knights a 5-0 lead to open the first, and most fierce, of the three sets played on the night.

Also showing off her deadly serving skills in the opening set would be DLB’s senior Ariel Frazier, who would tally a number of the Lakers’ points throughout the night.

With the largest point differential between the two teams being a meager four points, it looked as if DLB would take the first set when driving the score to 23-19, needing only two points to secure the win.

Nevertheless, in what would become the central theme of the night, Knights senior middle hitter Aubrey Griedl and junior outside hitter Maya Vibeto would effectively take ownership of the net and all of the points that developed around it.

In a feverish six-point rally, ORCS would not only nullify the DLB lead, but ultimately steal the first set by a score of 25-23.

Kicking off the second set, the Knights would draw energy not just from the momentum of the first set, but the frenzied ORCS crowd in attendance.

Taking the lead early, ORCS junior middle hitter Leah Lindquist would put the Knights up 3-2 on a vicious spike that was orchestrated by a beautifully placed set courtesy of sophomore Mikayla Altringer.

Despite a textbook block at the net for DLB junior middle hitter Paige Berard to temporarily pause the ORCS’ run, it wouldn’t be long before Knights senior outside hitter Kiera Biberdorf would all but explode the lights in the scoreboard via a bevy of booming serves that fueled a fast and furious scoring barrage.

Holding a 10-6 lead, ORCS would quickly string together a crippling 15-1 run to claim the second set 25-7.

Refusing to go down without a fight, DLB would do their best to generate a comeback in the third set, led by the solid net play of Berard and sophomore middle hitter Ava Brown.

However, the Knights’ Vibeto and Griedl would continue their killing spree, racking up the bulk of the ORCS points along the way.

In addition to her stellar offensive play at the net, Griedl would also showcase her defensive skills with a number of key blocks throughout the match.

Despite keeping it close, the Lakers would lack the ability to repel the explosive Knights, culminating in a 25-18 third-set win for ORCS to cement the 3-0 victory.

For the Knights, Vibeto would end the night with 13 kills, followed by Griedl with 8.

Defensively, sophomore libero Olivia Ebel would accumulate 17 digs, joined by senior Mya Borud with 11 and junior setter Allie Francis with 10. Griedl would lead the team handily with 9 blocks.

For DLB, sophomore setter Kaylee Werner would tally 12 assists, while senior libero Kaelyn Bachmeier would continue her outstanding play on the season with 19 total digs.

When asked about the Knights’ success thus far in the season, head coach Kara Nunziato stated, “Tonight’s win is a testament to how far our girls have come this season on the court. The chemistry between the players on this team is genuine, unmatched, and key to our victories.”

In the wake of tonight’s contest, DLB will host the Des-Lacs-Burlington Tourney this Friday and Saturday, where Our Redeemer’s will also participate in action.