Ranger volleyball wins one, loses one at home

The Hill City High School volleyball team went head to head against St. Thomas More (STM) last Tuesday night in the Gins Gym for a volleyball match-up. 

It was a hard-fought battle that stretched five sets of volleyball action. 

St. Thomas More came out strong in the first set, hanging onto the lead throughout, ending 25-17.

The Cavaliers once again took the lead early in the second set, but big hits by Demi Schrier and Carlie Hobbick kept the Rangers in it. A tip over the net by Lillie Ham tied it up, and a Hobbick kill put the Rangers ahead 8-7. An explosion in the Hill City momentum pushed them forward with big plays, and  it forced an STM time-out. The Rangers maintained control of the set with an Aly Isakson kill for game point 25-21.

The Rangers put the first point on the board in the third set, but STM quickly pulled ahead, maintaining the lead throughout most of the set. The Rangers whittled away at the deficit. Big kills by Schrier and Grace Peckosh brought the Rangers within one. A volley on both sides of the net full of big hits and blocks ended in Schrier knocking one down to tie up the game 20-20. Isakson served up an ace to take the lead, but STM didn’t go down without a fight, tying back up 23-23. The final points came from an L. Ham short set spike followed by STM shanking a serve receive out of bounds for game point 26-24.

STM took the fourth and fifth sets 25-13 and 15-8 to earn the victory on the Rangers’ home court. 

Though disappointed in the loss, head coach Allie Henderson is grateful to put her team to the test against teams that challenge them. 

“Not every game is going to go the way you want it to. Sports aren’t just about winning and losing, they’re about how you work through those losses and overcome the frustration,” she said. “If you’re winning every game, then you’re not putting your team in enough challenging situations. I’m happy that we play teams that we are compatible with and give us those opportunities to grow through a challenge.”

Peckosh was a force from the serving line, executing 21 serves and four aces with 100 percent accuracy.

Big hitters Schrier and Hobbick led the Rangers with 15 and 11 kills, respectively, with Isakson knocking down 11, L. Ham with 10 and Peckosh contributing six. The defense stayed on its toes, with Alaina Dean digging up 24, Peckosh with 15 digs and L. Ham contributing 13. Peckosh led in assists with 28 followed by L. Ham with 19 for the Rangers.

Just two days later, the Rangers hosted the Wall Eagles during their homecoming volleyball game  Thursday in the Gins Gym. The Rangers played well in front of their hometown fans, dominating the match from start to finish. The Rangers swept the Eagles in three straight sets (25-13, 25-8, 25-18) and played deep into their bench for the win.

“After a tough loss to STM, it was nice to get a sweep right after,” said Henderson. “We needed some confidence and fun to bring our goals back into frame. Even more impressive, we played them through some illnesses and had to switch up the lineup a bit. I’m proud of them for persevering through change and having some of our other players step up and still get the job done. 

Dean and Macie Ham served with 100 percent  accuracy while L. Ham served up 24 of the Rangers serves including three aces with 96 percent accuracy. 

Leading the offense was Schrier with 11 kills, followed by Hobbick knocking down seven, L. Ham with six, Peckosh with five and Joy Anderson contributing four. 

Defensively, Dean had 19 digs to keep the ball in play, followed by Luperico with seven and Peckosh and Lillie Ham both with six. 

The Rangers traveled to Custer Tuesday night to take on the Wildcats. Results will be published in the next edition.