Busy week for Griggs/Midkota

The Griggs/Midkota volleyball team had almost every scenario a squad could possibly face over a week's worth of action.

A humbling defeat (a 3-0 loss to a strong May-Port-CG team in Finley on September 26) was followed by a convincing four-set win over Nelson County in McVille September 30 and a stirring five-set triumph against South Border at GCCHS the next night improved the Titans' record to 9-11 this season.

Against the Patriots, G/M Coach Presley Paintner said her team gave away too many free points at the service line with 10 service errors.

"Digging our way back was a battle, which was made tougher by our serving struggles. Despite that uphill climb, I was thrilled to see the girls' grit in the third set," said Paintner.

Trailing by a 10-1 score, Paintner said the girls could have "rolled over," but would forge a 20-20 tie. Though they fell short in a 24-26 loss, following set defeats of 16-25 and 19-25, the coach said, "That never-give-up spirit will carry us forward."

Kelsey Johnson led the Titans with seven kills. Jessa Spickler finished with 12 digs, as did Vanessa Vollmer, and 16 assists came from Emma McCullough.

The Titans started slow against Nelson County, falling in set one by a 22-25 tally, before rattling off three straight wins, 25-22, 25-16 and 25-19.

The following night, G/M's fortitude was tested to the max in a back-and-forth, 25-17, 23-25, 25-17, 20-25 and 15-8 marathon.

Stats from the Nelson County and South Border matches were not available.

Nonregion Volleyball

May-Port-CG 3,

Griggs/Midkota 0

at Finley

G/M 16 19 24 ­ - 0

MPCG 25 25 26 ­ - 3

G/M Individual Statistics

Kills: Kelsey Johnson 7, Jessa Spickler 4, Alette Adrian and Karsyn Halvorson 2, Chloe Vincent 1.

Assists: Emma McCullough 16.

Aces: Kylie Johnson, Spickler, Klaire VenHuizen and Vanessa Vollmer 1.

Blocks: Kennedy Reidman 2, Adrian and Kelsey Johnson 1.

Digs: Spickler and Vollmer 12, McCullough 7, Jersey Gronneberg, Kylie Johnson and VenHuizen 3, Kelsey Johnson 2, Halvorson and Reidman 1.