Sioux Falls Washington Ends Mitchell’s Home Winning Streak

The Mitchell High School volleyball team suffered its first home defeat of the season, as Sioux Falls Washington swept the No. 5-ranked Kernels on November 2, 2023. The match concluded with set scores of 25-21, 25-23, and 25-12, marking a significant victory for the Warriors and ending Mitchell’s impressive run of eight consecutive home wins.

Washington’s strong start set the tone for the match. They quickly built a commanding 17-7 lead in the first set, which proved insurmountable for Mitchell. Although the Kernels fought back in the second set, holding a 13-8 advantage at one point, the Warriors responded with a decisive 12-4 run that shifted the momentum. By the third set, Washington had established dominance, scoring 21 of the first 30 points to secure the sweep.

Mitchell, now holding a record of 15-6, struggled offensively throughout the match. The team recorded only 22 kills and hit a mere .100 collectively. Despite the challenges, Kenzie Hetland stood out with a match-best seven total blocks. Teammates Addie Siemsen, Charleigh Collins, Nia Talley, Audrey Miller, and Kambyl Wede each contributed four kills. Siemsen also added 15 assists, while both Londyn Hajek and Siemsen notched 14 digs each. Talley contributed with two aces and ten digs, showcasing the team’s effort despite the loss.

On the opposing side, Sioux Falls Washington improved its record to 14-7. Jade Jere led the Warriors with 12 kills and three of the team’s eight service aces. Dana Harpe was also instrumental, delivering 11 kills, 22 digs, two aces, and two blocks, while Chloe Peterson added another 11 kills to the tally. Hannah Nesdahl contributed 18 digs and two aces, and Emily Akkerman provided 33 set assists alongside 18 digs.

Looking ahead, Washington will host Rapid City Stevens and Rapid City Central on November 7 and 8, wrapping up their regular season. Currently, Mitchell is positioned for the No. 7 seed in the Class AA postseason, with Washington closely behind at No. 8. The top eight seeds will host SoDak 16 games on November 13, providing a pathway to the state tournament.

The Kernels aim to rebound as they face more challenges ahead, starting with a match against the third-ranked Brandon Valley on November 4, followed by a regular-season finale against No. 2 O’Gorman on November 6. As the postseason approaches, both teams are looking to solidify their standings and make a strong impact.