Volleyball: Flawless Pierre clinches district

By Mike Smith, Journal correspondent Wednesday, November 07, 2007

PIERRE — The Pierre volleyball team clinched its first-ever district title in dominating fashion as the Govs swept Aberdeen Central for the District 3AA title Tuesday at Riggs Gym.

The Lady Govs head to the state tournament in eight days as the undefeated and No. 1-seeded team. Pierre beat the defending district champions and state runners-up from 2006, 25-10, 25-13, 25-16. It was the 21st straight win of the season and 23rd in a row dating back to last year.

“I’m just overwhelmed,” said Pierre coach Kacy Kienholz, who is taking her second straight team to the state tournament. “I didn’t think it would be this easy. The girls played hard from the beginning. They knew what they wanted.”

The Lady Govs got off to a slow start in the first round of the districts, losing the first game against Mitchell. But they seized the early momentum Tuesday, scoring five of the first six points of the game and eight of the first 10. They would trail just once, 1-0 in the third game, the entire evening.

“We kept going after them,” Kienholz said.

Pierre’s senior middle hitter Polly Gill helped heap the dirt on Aberdeen Central as she had five kills in the first game. Steph Paluch, a junior outside hitter, had four first-game kills. She served an ace to score the 24th point. An Aberdeen attack went beyond the back line for the 25th point.

“The whole team worked together,” said Gill, who finished with 14 kills. “Gina (Geffre) did an awesome job setting the ball.”

The tide continued to stay in Pierre’s favor as the second game opened 11-1 in favor of the home team. Sam Flynn scored the 24th point, which was followed by Gill’s game-winning kill.

“Polly Gill was very strong at the net even though they tried to triple block her,” Kienholz said.

“Steph Paluch played a great game, too. All the girls stepped up.”

The Golden Eagles (16-6) were more competitive in the third game. They forged a 6-6 tie early in the game and trailed just 14-12 before Pierre went on a 6-0 run to take command. Paluch had the game-winning kill.

Pierre had seven days to prepare for their long-time nemesis for top district honors.

“It gets to be kind of long to keep the girls interested,” Kienholz said. “These next eight days are going to seem long, so we have to stay focused.”

Paluch finished with nine kills. Bethany Goeden 10, with five coming in the third game.

Amanda Lipp had five kills to lead the Golden Eagles, who will host a regional play-in game on Saturday against Sturgis.

For Pierre, it will be an anxious wait until the state tournament begins Nov. 15 at the Arena in Sioux Falls.

“We’ve been working hard all season, and hopefully, we can keep it going,” Paluch said.