SPEARFISH, S.D. — The Spearfish Spartans Volleyball team started strong Thursday night at home against Aberdeen Central, but the Golden Eagles responded by taking the next three sets to hand Spearfish a 3-1 loss. At the time of this article, the Spartans sit at 6-8 before playing the Pierre Governors on Saturday, September 12.
Spearfish won the opening set 25-22 before Aberdeen Central answered with victories of 25-18, 25-19 and 25-12 to close out the match.
The Spartans were at their best offensively in the opening set. Spearfish recorded 15 kills on 31 attacks with just four errors, finishing the set with a .355 hitting percentage.
That efficiency proved difficult to maintain as the match progressed. Spearfish recorded three kills in the second set, seven in the third and 10 in the fourth. The Spartans hit -.040, .148 and .071 over those final three sets.
Billington Leads Spearfish Attack
Julia Billington led the Spartans offensively with 14 kills on 40 attacks. She also added a service ace and finished with a team-high 16 points.
Addie Keller added seven kills and two service aces, while Layla Meredith finished with six kills on 13 attacks for a .231 hitting percentage. Meredith also recorded 13 assists and 11 digs.
Finley Bouman was efficient in the middle, finishing with four kills and just one error on 12 attacks for a .250 hitting percentage. Bouman also recorded two solo blocks.
Piper Jacobs led Spearfish with 18 assists and added a service ace. Taylor Burry contributed three kills, an ace and a team-high 15 digs while adding two block assists.
Strong Start Slips Away
After putting down 15 kills in the opening set, Spearfish struggled to maintain that offensive rhythm in the second.
The Spartans recorded just three kills with four attack errors as Aberdeen Central took the second set 25-18 to even the match.
Spearfish improved offensively in the third with seven kills and three errors, but the Golden Eagles claimed a 25-19 victory to take a 2-1 advantage.
The Spartans put down 10 kills in the fourth set, but eight attack errors helped Aberdeen Central pull away for a 25-12 win to finish the match.
For the match, Spearfish finished with 35 kills and 19 attack errors on 111 attempts for a .144 hitting percentage. The Spartans also totaled 31 assists, five service aces, 46 digs and four total team blocks.
Spearfish will now turn its attention to another road test when the Spartans travel to Rapid City to face Rapid City Stevens on Tuesday, Sept. 15.
Final: Aberdeen Central 3, Spearfish 1
Set Scores: Spearfish 25-22, Aberdeen Central 25-18, Aberdeen Central 25-19, Aberdeen Central 25-12
Spearfish Stat Leaders
Kills: Julia Billington 14, Addie Keller 7, Layla Meredith 6
Assists: Piper Jacobs 18, Layla Meredith 13
Digs: Taylor Burry 15, Layla Meredith 11
Aces: Addie Keller 2; Julia Billington, Piper Jacobs and Taylor Burry 1 each
Blocks: Finley Bouman 2 solo blocks; Taylor Burry 2 block assists; Julia Billington and Layla Meredith 1 block assist each
Next Match: at Rapid City Stevens, Sept. 15