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JACKSON — The Jackson County Central volleyball team had already won the first set by four points.
The Huskies then bolted to a 6-0 in the second, well on their way to defeating Pipestone Area Schools in three by scores of 25-21, 25-18, 25-22 on Tuesday, Oct. 28, in the Section 3AA South Subsection semifinals.
“Jackson came out right away, and served aggressively and mixed up their hitters,” PAS head coach Shelly Hennager said. “We dug such a hole, and we couldn’t catch up.”
Pipestone Area Schools’ Taryn Tuinstra (21) digs the ball during her final scholastic volleyball match. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Despite the loss, the 2025 season could be characterized as a return to respectability with a 17-7 record.
“I was very happy with how the girls played this season,” Hennager said. “We beat teams we had not won against (in a while). On the whole, it was a huge improvement.”
(An aside, a more detailed season in review with run in a future edition of the Pipestone County Star.)
Pipestone Area Schools’ Avery Reinhard (10) sets for Emersyn Smidt (seen in the foreground). (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Experienced JCC senior setter Bailey Finck played a massive role in the Huskies’ victory with 34 assists. Finck also was 18-of-18 behind the service line with three aces, scooped up 10 digs and had two kills.
“We had trouble where the setter was putting the ball,” Hennager explained.
The Arrows had better touches on the ball during the third set. However, by then, it was a case of too little and too late.
Kaysa Douty helped PAS draw within three points in the opening set, followed by a Huskies’ attack error. However, the Huskies won it with a Madelyn Rowe kill and service ace on points Nos. 24 and 25, respectively.
Pipestone Area Schools’ Kaysa Douty (4) uses a jump serving sytel in this Section 3AA South playoff match versus Jackson County Central. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
JCC claimed the second set as Mady Wachal delivered a kill that clipped off of Jadyn Kor’s fingers.
A Taryn Tuinstra kill helped PAS draw within two points, 24-22, in the third set.
However, Brielle Tufvesson finished off the Arrows with a kill of her own.
Tuinstra capped her stellar scholastic career with a magnificent stat line: 12-of-12 serving, one ace, 24-of-27 on attack chances with 16 kills and 13 digs.
Pipestone Area Schools’ Taryn Tuinsra (21) attempts to send the ball over a Jackson County Central double block on Tuesday, Oct. 28 in the Section 3AA South playoffs. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Kor was 15-of-16 with two aces and she was efficient on 26-of-31 attacks with nine kills and 12 digs.
Pipestone Area Schools’ Jadyn Kor (9) attempts to kill the ball during a Section 3AA South match on Tuesday, Oct. 28, versus Jackson County Central. (Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
In the Arrows’ 6-2 offense, setter Avery Reinhard distributed 15 assists and Carmen Wiese 11.
Emersyn Smidt and Brynn Schulze both posted two solo ace blocks and two assists. Brooke Einck and Douty also provided a pair of assisted blocks. Douty also chipped in with 12 digs, libero Kailyn Burmeister 11 and Wiese eight.
Wachal went 12-13 serving to go with two ace blocks, four digs and seven kills. Paylin Sether was tops in kills with 12 and Braelyn Boogard digs (16).
This marked the final match for seniors Jadyn Kor, Taryn Tuinstra and Carmen Wiese.
Section 3AA Scores
JCC (20-11) eventually swept Windom Area, 25-20, 25-21, 25-21, in the 3AA South subsection championship game Thursday, Oct. 30, before falling in the 3AA title match versus New London-Spicer (25-23, 22-25, 25-23, 21-25, 15-12) on Saturday, Nov. 1, at Southwest Minnesota State University’s R/A Facility.
Windom set up the match versus JCC by downing Luverne in four, 25-21, 25-16, 18-25, 25-20, also on Tuesday, Oct. 28.
Pipestone Area Schools’ Brynn Schulze sends the ball over the net with this free ball.(Star photo by Eric Viccaro)
Awards this Sunday
PAS will conduct its awards program at 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9, at Dar’s Pizza.
Hennager said four major team awards will be announced in most valuable player, best offensive player, best defensive player, and most improved performer.