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LUVERNE — Maybe there needs a traveling trophy for volleyball. Just maybe.
Such a trophy would now be in Pipestone Area Schools’ possession after the Arrows posted a four-set victory over Big South Conference rival Luverne on Tuesday, Sept. 2, at Cardinal Gymnasium.
Set scores were 25-19, 20-25, 25-22, 25-10 in PAS favor.
PAS (3-1 record) followed up that match with a similar four-set win over Red Rock Conference school Adrian-Ellsworth Thursday, Sept. 4, by scores of 25-23, 18-25, 25-21, 25-22.
Pipestone Area Schools’ Carmen Wiese (2) sets the ball for Emersyn Smidt during a Big South Conference match at Luverne’s Cardinal Gymnasium on Tuesday, Sept. 2. The Arrows won in four sets. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
“I’m really proud of them,” PAS head coach Shelly Hennager said. “These wins give us the confidence we need.”
Versus Luverne (4-4), Hennager added: “We played really well in the fourth game. We took control, and played the volleyball we are capable of playing.”
On the final point of the match, Kaysa Douty’s serve clipped the net and landed in free space on Luverne’s half of the court.
Kailyn Burmeister and Douty joined forces on one point during the third set.
Pipestone Area Schools’ Kaysa Douty serves during a Big South Conference volleyball match versus Luverne on Tuesday, Sept. 2. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Both players saved the ball from the floor, jump-starting the Arrows for the remainder of the match.
PAS eventually surpassed Luverne in the third on an Avery Reinhard service ace and Emersyn Smidt kill. The Cardinals also helped with several hitting errors.
All-conference player Taryn Tuinstra continued her exemplary play with a team-leading 14 kills. Tuinstra began to neutralize Luverne hitters CeCe Rock and Alexa Braun along the front row in the deciding fourth set.
Pipestone Area Schools’ Taryn Tuinstra (21) talks with teammates, including Kailyn Burmeister and Brynn Schulze, during a match at Luverne on Tuesday, Sept. 2. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
The Cardinals also had difficulty dealing with Jadyn Kor’s serves. Kor had a match-best six aces on 19-of-20 serving.
Carmen Wiese added three aces on 14-of-16 attempts. Douty was accurate on 20-of-21 serves.
Defensively, Douty recorded 14 digs, Kor 11 and Tuinstra 10. Kor and Tuinstra also partnered for 15 serve receptions each.
Pipestone Area Schools’ Jadyn Kor plays along the net during a Big South Conference match versus Luverne on Tuesday, Sept. 2. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Brynn Schulze teamed up with Douty on a key ace block during the match, which was seen on video at the Pipestone County Star’s Facebook page. Both girls finished with four ace block assists. Kor had two solo ace blocks.
Setters also effectively went about their work as Wiese and Reinhard combined for 37 of the team’s 40 overall assists.
Brooke Einck also contributed to win with several digs and one assisted ace block.
PAS will travel to the Wabasso Tournament Saturday, Sept. 13.
Pipestone Area Schools’ Avery Reinhard bumps the ball during a Big South Conference volleyball match versus Luverne on Tuesday, Sept. 2. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)