SPEARFISH, S.D. — The Spearfish Spartans battled until the final whistle Thursday night but came up just short, falling to the Aberdeen Central Golden Eagles in a five-set heartbreaker, 2-3 (24-26, 25-19, 13-25, 25-14, 12-15).
With the loss, the Spartans drop to 8-5 on the season.
The night was a rollercoaster of momentum swings. Spearfish narrowly dropped the opening set, 24-26, after a late push from the Golden Eagles erased a slim Spartan lead. The home team responded with purpose in the second, winning 25-19 behind strong net play and improved passing.
However, the third set proved costly. Spearfish struggled to generate rhythm, falling 13-25 as Aberdeen Central capitalized on a series of unforced errors and dominant serving runs.
Facing elimination, the Spartans came alive in the fourth. Energized by a vocal home crowd, they delivered their most complete set of the night, winning 25-14 and forcing a decisive fifth frame.
The final set was tight from the start, but Aberdeen Central edged ahead late and held off a last-ditch Spartan rally to take it 15-12.
Spearfish returns to action on Saturday as the Spartans travel to Pierre to take on the Governors. Odrix Sports will bring you that score and news when it becomes available.