Dickinson volleyball sweeps Williston at home

The Dickinson High volleyball team were victorious against Williston as they closed out the regular season. The spikes kept on coming from the Midgets’ pair of outside hitters, senior Taya Hopfauf and junior Caton Pearcy, accumulating 27 kills between the two.

The 3-0 match didn't bring too much excitement, but head coach Jay Schobinger said that the win carried significance to their postseason.

“Tonight was pretty important because there is a really good chance that we will host Williston in a play-in,” Schobinger said. “We told the kids we have to make a statement and they made the statement. A little bit of a slow start in the first set, but then got on a roll.”

The first set ended with a narrow margin of 25-20, with the two sides scoring back and forth until the Midgets had two late runs of scoring to staple their lead and take a six point advantage at 24-18.

By the second set, Dickinson had built momentum and would never slow down, winning 25-13 and then 25-14. Sophomore middle hitter Jenna Decker, who has missed the majority of the season due to injury, made an appearance on the court, contributing a kill and a block. Last week in their matchup with Minot, Decker mad her return, tallying three blocks

“It feels really good to be on the court with my best friends again,” Decker said. “It really sucks just sitting there watching them and I am glad to be able to help my team again.”

Schobinger said that Decker will be bringing back with her a strong presence at the net and will be in their rotation.

As always, Dickinson’s seniors showed a strong presence on the court in both the back and front row. Hopfauf’s 11 kills came with three aces and 12 digs. Setter Staci Kempenich added three aces herself with 13 digs. Libero Reese Hauck led in digs with 17 and recorded two kills.

“This senior group have been wonderful leaders, they go out and get after it,” Schobinger said. “I have had a blast, they are a pretty special group and we are going to miss them.”

Senior defensive specialist Makenna Eckelberg also had two aces and four digs

The Midgets finished their season with a WDA record of 7-13 and overall of 16-17. They will participate in the West Region play-in match Thursday, Nov. 4, with the opponent yet to be determined.

TEAM STATS

Kills - Caton Pearcy, 17; Taya Hopfauf, 11; Maeva Kuehl, 2; Staci Kempenich, 2; Jenna Decker, 1; Jazmin Barry,1

Digs - Reese Hauck, 17; Hopfauf, 12; Kempenich, 13; Pearcy, 4; Makenna Eckelberg, 4; Kuehl, 1

Assists - Kempenich, 29

Blocks - Kempenich, 1; Hopfauf, 1; Decker, 1

Aces - Kempenich, 3; Hopfauf, 3; Eckelberg, 2; Pearcy, 1

1/3: Pure joy is shown on middle blocker Maeva Kuehl face after completing a successful single block against Williston Coyotes, Tuesday, Oct. 27 (Josiah C. Cuellar / The Dickinson Press)

2/3: Seniors Taya Hopfauf, Reese Hauck and Makenna Eckelberg defend the back line and between the three accumulating 33 digs against Williston Coyotes, Tuesday, Oct. 27 (Josiah C. Cuellar / The Dickinson Press)

3/3: Jenna Decker gets back on the court after recovering from season long injury. (Josiah C. Cuellar / The Dickinson Press)