A nailbiter of a game was held between Garretson Blue Dragons and Baltic Bulldogs during the region playoffs last Thursday, November 7. The Blue Dragons prevailed, winning in the fourth set and sending them to the Sweet Sixteen Tournament.
The Bulldogs had beat the Dell Rapids Quarriers on Tuesday, November 5 to earn their spot against the Lady Dragons, and they came out swinging. However, the Blue Dragons made quick work of them in set 1, beating them 25-17. The Blue Dragons lost a bit of momentum in set two, but managed to prevail with a score of 25-22.
Set 3, however, started off with an 8-point run by Baltic’s Elyssa Clark after Garretson had acquired 3 points, and after that, the Blue Dragons played catch up. Play continued back and forth, until it was tied 14-14. The Blue Dragons pulled ahead slightly for a bit, but Baltic caught up. After tying again at 16 points and 17 points, Baltic managed to pull ahead and Garretson struggled to catch up, only gaining 3 more points. Until the last moment, however, it looked as though Garretson might ward off the Bulldog win, gaining two more points to bring the game to 20-24. However, Baltic managed to pull off the win.
Chastised, the Blue Dragons showed back up for set 4, quickly gaining 4 points right out of the gate. After Baltic played catch up, the game stayed neck in neck throughout the rest of the game, each team going on several-point runs at a time. As Garretson gained to nearly set point, Baltic rallied several points, bringing the game to 23-22. A net-hitting, successful kill by #11 Lizzie Olson brought the game to set point, and the next play brought the win when Baltic tipped the ball out of bounds on their side of the net.
The Blue Dragons moved on to the Sweet Sixteen tournament, pitting them against McCook County/Montrose at Roosevelt High School on Tuesday, November 12 (results unavailable at press time). If the Blue Dragons prevail, they will play in the State Tournament in Rapid City November 21-23.
Photos by Angela Bly
