RAPID CITY — Fifth-seeded Watertown won a five-set marathon over Sioux Falls Lincoln to join No. 1 Harrisburg, No. 2 Brandon Valley and No. 3 O'Gorman in the Class AA semifinals at the South Dakota State High School Volleyball Tournament.
The teams each won first-round matches on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, in The Monument.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHere's some highlights from the opening-round matches.
Watertown players, from left, Anna Hirtz, Ellie Thury, Sianna Stanton, Kali Ellis, Bryn Koistinen, Jaelyn Kettwig and Lauren Paulson cheer on their teammates during a first-round Class AA match against Sioux Falls Lincoln in the South Dakota State High School Volleyball Tournament on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, at The Momument in Rapid City. Watertown won 3-2.Harrisburg 3, Mitchell 0
The Tigers kicked off their bid for a fourth-straight championship with a 25-8, 25-9 and 25-18 win over Mitchell.
Gabi Zachariasen smacked 19 kills for Harrisburg (33-2). Bergen Steff contributed seven kills, Josalyn Samuels 30 assists and Lindsay Langner three aces and nine digs.
Mitchell (16-9) received five kills from Aubrey Miller, eight assists from Addie Siemsen and five digs from Kenna Soulek.
Harrisburg's Josalyn Samuels (8) sets the ball for teammate Kya Keegan (6) during a first-round Class AA match against Mitchell in the South Dakota State High School Volleyball Tournament on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, at The Momument in Rapid City. Harrisburg won 3-0.Watertown 3, Sioux Falls Lincoln 2
The Arrows avenged a 3-0 regular-season loss to Lincoln with a 25-21, 25-21, 12-25, 25-27 and 15-12 win over Lincoln.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWatertown overcame a third-set ankle injury to Torrence Tipton and the comeback by the Patriots.
"It was a marathon and our focus was to avenge the earlier loss," Watertown coach Rosemary Bellum said. "We moved players into different positions to get the best results. Even after a disastrous third set, the girls didn't quit or give up."
Anna Hirtz smacked 16 kills, Siri Bach and Carighan Klatt each 11 and Reese Munger 10 for the Arrows (22-9). Munger also added three aces and five block assists. Andi Olson chipped in with 20 digs, Jordan Remmers 13 digs and four aces, Ellie Thury 12 digs and Kynsee Rusell 50 assists.
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AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLeaders for No. 4 seed Lincoln (19-6) included Hannah Baron, 13 kills; Malory Schneider, 10 kills and 41 assists; Camila Langenfeld, 13 kills and three aces; Julia Blom, 18 digs; Hayden Kok, 11 digs; and Evelynn Cartney, nine kills and two solo and four block assists.
After a back-and-fourth battle, the Arrows never trailed in the final set, leading 4-1 early and 10-4 at one point before holding on. Hirtz had four kilks and Kali Ellis, filling in for Tipton, three in the set.
"Our back-row defense by Olson, Thury, (Hensley) Hogue and Remmers is just top shelf. They have served "spot on" to make the opponent struggle to set up an aggressive first swing," Bellum said. "And they madke it difficult for opponents to find the floor for a kill."
Brandon Valley's Jayaunna Stroh makes a dig in front of teammates Mya VanWesten during a first-round Class AA match against Sioux Falls Lincoln in the South Dakota State High School Volleyball Tournament on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, at The Momument in Rapid City. Watertown won 3-2.Brandon Valley 3, Sioux Falls Washington 0
Brandon Valley (26-3) opened with the 25-20, 25-15 and 25-17 victory over Washington that included 12 kills from Abby Gruber.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Lynx also received eight kills from Jersie Melcher, 27 assists and 16 digs from Logan McGuire and four block assists from Ashley Ertelt.
No. 7 seed Sioux Falls Washington (17-8) was led by Chloe Peterson with 11 kills, Emily Akkerman 25 assists, Hannah Nesdahl three aces and 16 digs and Dana Harpe 19 digs.
O'Gorman 3, S.F. Jefferson 0
A 33-31 second-set win helped O'Gorman (25-4) record the sweep. The Knights won the first set 25-15 and the third set 25-16 over No. 11 seed Jefferson (12-13).
Lauren Venenga, Makenzie Walsh and Reese Venenga led the Knights with 21, 15 and 11 kills, respectively. Londyn Smith made 54 assists and six aces, Katie McKay 27 digs, Venenga 14 digs and Cali Roemen and Ali Jones each 10 digs.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementJefferson's leaders were Sienna Sabers with 15 kills, Natalie Welty with 10 kills, Olivia Wachal with 28 digs, Riley Fodness with 17 digs and Abby Horner with 14 digs.
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Friday's Schedule
Consolation matches begin at noon Central with Mitchell taking on Sioux Falls Lincoln, followed by Sioux Falls Washington and Sioux Falls Jefferson at 7:45 p.m.
Watertown battles Harrisburg at 6 p.m. and Brandon Valley squares off with O'Gorman at 7:45 p.m. in semifinal matches.
Follow Watertown Public Opinion sports reporter Roger Merriam on X (formerly known as Twitter) @PO_Sports or email: [email protected]
This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: Opening-day Class AA coverage in state volleyball tourney
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