District Champs!

Energy and adrenaline carried the Carrington Cardinals for the first two sets of their District 5 championship match with the E-K-M Rebels.

It was the response of the team from the lull of the two set losses that followed that would determine if the Cards would hoist the trophy.

CHS took advantage of the moment in their final season of Class B volleyball before the transition to three divisions, taking an emotional three-point win in the fifth set to claim the title, 25-13, 25-17, 19-25, 20-25 and 15-12 last Monday, Nov. 4, in Ellendale.

At one point in the fifth, the Cards were down 7-3, but took 12 of the next 17 points to fend off the determined Rebs' comeback bid.

The win was especially sweet for Coach Megan Trautman and her seven seniors, as the tight-knit group had not won a title, or advanced to a championship game, since 2021 when they were freshmen.

"Against E-K-M, I really felt we came out strong, fearless, and confident," said Trautman, who was honored as the District 5 Coach of the Year following the event. "Although we did lose our momentum in the third and fourth, I think that fifth set proves how gritty and determined our girls are."

One of those seniors, Isabel Wendel, was a contributor to that team from three seasons ago, and was named the Outstanding Senior Athlete from the district.

Wendel could probably be considered the Cards' "Swiss Army knife," as her versatility on the court at nearly any position, along with her court smarts, makes the team a formidable opponent to play most nights.

She carried play in the championship, finishing with a team-high 18 kills, while also trading time with Brynn Smith (28 assists) at the setter spot depending on the rotation.

"I told them to go out there and fight for what they want, and they did just that," Trautman said.

But it wasn't all Wendel with the attacking prowess, however. The Cards' balance meant that five other players had at least five kills, paced by nine each from senior Edyn Hoornaert and sophomore Harper Kollman. Kaydence VanRay added seven, Mercedes Lura six and Calleigh Hewitt five.

Hoornaert, VanRay, Kollman and Wendel handled the Rebel attack effectively, combining forces for 10 blocks. Libero Kenadie Pazdernik, the Cards' other All-District 5 selection, had 34 digs to lead the team, followed closely by 29 from Kollman.

The Cards started the tournament on Halloween against the Barnes County North Bison, and quickly put together a spook-tacular showing in an efficient 25-8, 25-6, 25-6 win.

Hewitt led with eight kills and Wendel added seven. On the back line, Smith finished with five aces, and Hoornaert patrolled the top of the net with four blocks. Pazdernik would have 15 digs in the victory.

In between two 25-14 set victories in the semifinal round sweep over host Ellendale, the Cards played perhaps the most entertaining set of the entire tournament in taking a 31-29 victory well into extra points.

Wendel had 17 kills, 29 digs and 13 assists, and Smith also passed for 16 assists. Kollman's left-handed serve was effective with five aces.

After tournament awards were handed out, Trautman had great things to say about her senior leaders, Wendel and Pazdernik.

"They're so hard working, and play such vital roles for our squad. It's nice to know that other teams and coaches realize and appreciate that as well," she said.

In the midst of her fifth season as CHS program head, Trautman was humbled by receiving the district's top coaching honor.

"I was surprised, and so honored. The award is a big deal in District 5 because I feel that all of us put a great deal of time and energy into the season, and I really respect the other coaches in our district," she said. "So, to receive their vote means a great deal to me, and I'm very thankful."

The Cards (19-10) will take on the fourth seed from District 6, South Border, in the opening round of play at the Region 3 Tournament in Hazelton beginning Monday, Nov. 11, at 1 p.m.

"Overall, we've learned a lot this season, and grown so much," said Trautman.

In other loser-out first round games, District 6 runner-up M/P-B faces LaMoure/Litchville-Marion, followed by District 6 champion Linton-HMB against Oakes and E-K-M facing Kidder County.

The tournament winner Thursday night, Nov. 14, advances to the Fargodome November 21-23 for the State Class B Volleyball Tournament.

District 5 Volleyball

Tournament, Ellendale

First Round

Carrington 3,

Barnes Co. North 0

BCN 8 6 ­ 6 - 0

Cgtn. 25 25 ­ 25 - 3

CHS Individual Stats

Kills: Calleigh Hewitt 8, Isabel Wendel 7, Kaydence VanRay 5, Edyn Hoornaert 4, Harper Kollman and Mercedes Lura 3, Brynn Smith 1.

Assists: Smith 12, Wendel 11, Aubrey Neis and Kenadie Pazdernik 1.

Aces: Smith 5, Wendel 3, Lauren Hendrickson and Kollman 1.

Blocks: Hoornaert 4, Hewitt and Wendel 1.

Digs: Pazdernik 15, Wendel 9, Kollman and Lura 8, Hoornaert 7, Sierra Friedt 2.

Semifinals

Carrington 3, Ellendale 0

Ellen. 14 29 ­ 14 - 0

Cgtn. 25 31 ­ 25 - 3

CHS Individual Stats

Kills: Wendel 17, Hewitt 6, Kollman and VanRay 5, Lura 4, Hoornaert 3.

Assists: Smith 16, Wendel 13, Pazdernik 4.

Aces: Kollman 5, Lura 2.

Blocks: Hoornaert 2, Lura and VanRay 1.

Digs: Wendel 29, Pazdernik 25, Kollman 22, Lura 19, Smith 11, Hoornaert 10, Hewitt 3.

Championship

Carrington 3, E-K-M 2

Cgtn. 25 25 19 20 ­15 - 3

E-K-M 13 17 25 25 ­12 - 2

CHS Individual Stats

Kills: Wendel 18, Hoornaert and Kollman 9, VanRay 7, Lura 6, Hewitt 5.

Assists: Smith 28, Wendel 17, Pazdernik 2.

Aces: Lura, Smith and Wendel 2, Hoornaert, Kollman and Pazdernik 1.

Blocks: Hoornaert and VanRay 3, Kollman and Wendel 2, Hewitt 1.

Digs: Pazdernik 34, Kollman 29, Wendel 22, Lura 17, Smith 9, Hoornaert 5, Hewitt and VanRay 3.