The Miler Rustlers come into the SoDak 16 as the number two overall seed in Class A as they face Groton Area at James Valley Christian tonight in the SoDak 16.
The Rustlers are 31-2 on the season and have lost to just one team all season. The Rustlers dropped two matches to the Warner Monarchs, the number one team in Class B. Miller has won 13 in a row heading into tonight’s game against 14-14 Groton Area. The seven seniors for the Rustlers look to return to the state tournament for the first time since 2019 when they placed third. Abbi Blake, Jayden Werdel and Patricia Lammers each had over 10 kills on the night last Thursday in the win over Dupree to reach the SoDak 16. Tyra Gates had 38 assists.
The Groton Area Tigers, at .500, are also looking to get back to the state tournament for the first time since 2019, the only time they’ve been to the state volleyball tournament. Groton Area has just two seniors on the young team. The Tigers were able to defeat Webster Area and then upset top seed Aberdeen Roncalli in the Region 1 qualifying game to reach the SoDak 16. Linda Deboer, head coach of the Rustlers says for Goton Area, a 15 seed playing a 2 seed, there’s no pressure on the Tigers which makes it dangerous…
Deboer says these seniors leadership and dedication have helped make the Rustlers get to this point…
Deboer says teamwork is key tonight for Miller…
First serve between the Rustlers and Tigers is set for 5:30 at James Valley Christian school.
