The Lady Patriots traveled to Mellette on Thursday night to take on the #4 ranked Northwestern Wildcats. The Patriots could not overcome the slow starts in each set. The Wildcats swept the Patriots 3-0.
In set one, the the Patriots would get down five points early in the set and were not able to recover. The closest the Patriots would get would be 4 points as the Wildcats used a time out. The Wildcats came out of the time out and finish the set off by winning 20-25.
Set two proved to be the same story, as the Patriots would get down 6 early on and could not recover, dropping the set 12-25.
Set three, the two teams played point for point until the Wildcats would string a run together to take a 5 point lead. At that point, the Patriots kept fighting, but could not recover and ultimately dropping the set 16-25.
The strong point for the Patriots was the defense as Cambree Hoekman led the team with 10 digs, Brooklyn Frankenstein added 9, Katelyn Schroeder tallied 8, Ella Johnson added 7 and, Presley Binger and Gracyn Bixler recorded 6 digs each.
The front row had several blocks and touches in the match. Rebecca Huizenga recorded 2 solo blocks and 1 assist. Ella Johnson would also record a solo block.
Offensively, the Patriots could not get much going as they had a difficult time controlling the ball. Schroeder led the team with 8 kills, Ella and Lila Johnson added 4 kills each. Binger and Bixler added 7 assists each.
The Patriots end the season at 14-17. The Patriots wish our two seniors, Kaycee Stoner and Greeley LaBrie, the best of luck in the future endeavors. The future is bright for this young group of athletes as valuable experience was gained throughout the season. This will be a fun group to watch the next could of seasons!