Loss ends Rangers’ season

Sioux Valley knocked the Hill City Rangers volleyball team out of the playoffs with a win in five sets (15-25,25-17,21-25,25-21,15-7) during  SoDak 16 play. The 29-4 Rangers had a strong season despite not making it to state. 

It was not the way the teams had hoped the season would end, according to head coach Allie Henderson.  

“Dealing with loss is a part of the process and should be the biggest motivator for improvement,” she said. “Losing is supposed to hurt and that hurt will stay with you until you correct whatever hurt you. If the end of a season doesn’t always break your heart, then your heart was never in it.”

Henderson is proud of her team and their resilience and camaraderie. 

“They fought every step of the way and earned every win because they did it as a team,” she said. She calls her girls selfless and says their effort and attitude was unmatched.  

“We continue to improve every year and I think next year will be even better,” Henderson said.

The team had six seniors on its roster this year.

“Our seniors will be greatly missed, but their impact will not be forgotten. We know that who is on the same side of the net is a lot more important than who’s on the other side,” said Henderson. “I hope we have given all the up and coming volleyball players something to look up to and aspire to be. That impact is a lot more important than wins and losses. Losing with dignity, winning humbly, putting others above yourself and giving everything you have to be the best that you can be is what it means to be a Ranger.”