Lady Knights sweep Bobcats

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BROOKINGS – No. 2 O’Gorman swept the Bobcats in a nonconference volleyball match Thursday night at the BHS Auxiliary Gymnasium.

The Lady Knights won by the set scores of 25-12, 25-23 and 25-16.

“I think we came out flat. We came out, after we got into our serve-receive, and started connecting a little bit better and getting out of that hole,” said BHS coach Tina Birgen. “We came back and competed really well. In the second set, I was really pleased with how they played. And then in the third set, we missed four serves right away in the beginning of the game and it kind of changed the momentum of the game. Take those four serves away, it’s a totally different game.

“We’re growing; we’re learning; and every time we step out on that court, they’re doing what I ask them to do and we’re continuing to improve. So that’s what we’re asking.”

OG powered through Set 1 before Brookings scored the first six points in Set 2.

The Lady Knights eventually pulled even at 17-all and took their first lead – 19-18 – on a Bobcat passing error. They later secured the set victory via Josie Niedringhaus’ kill over the middle.

O’Gorman built a 12-4 lead in Set 3 and Brookings never got closer than three the rest of the way.

What do the Bobcats need to do to play at the level they did in the second set?

“I guess consistency; we want to work on consistency in practice everyday and not being able to turn it on and turn it off,” added Birgen. “(O’Gorman) had a top-spin server tonight (and) we don’t have a girl on our team right now that really does that consistently, so that was a new look for us. We haven’t played against many teams that have done that. So I was proud of the girls that they came through that; they adjusted to that – I guess just mental focus; get ourselves through some of those things.

“We made some changes to our lineup and it seems to be working really well for us. So if we just continue to have consistency with that, I think that will help them, too.”

Bergen Reilly (12) tallied nine kills as she and Raegen Reilly (16) combined for 28 set assists for the Lady Knights (7-1), who finished with 36 kills and nine ace serves.

Regan Weisbeck paced the Bobcats with 10 kills and six digs.

Johanna Miller totaled five kills, two blocks and a service ace. Landree Wilson also recorded five kills.

Brittany Birgen dished out 21 set assists, while Molly Steffensen and Tessa Nelson both came up with six digs. Kennedy Schafer netted an ace.

Brookings (1-7) plays at Sioux Falls Roosevelt on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Junior varsity – O’Gorman 27-25, 25-23

Sophomore – O’Gorman 25-20, 25-13

Freshman A – O’Gorman 25-15, 25-16

Freshman B – Brookings 25-18, 25-21