Redtails Go 2-1 at NDSCS Tournament

The RedTails traveled to Wahpeton, North Dakota, where they played in the NDSCS (North Dakota State College of Science) Tournament. They went 2-1 on the weekend. The first match against Lake Region State College started out slow and dropped the first set (23-25). They quickly turned things around and won the next three sets handily with scores of 25-13, 25-14, & 25-18.

Sophomore setter Nohea Mahi had a triple double with 11 kills hitting .688, 33 assists and 13 digs. Freshman outside hitter Alexis Even led all attackers with 13 kills while hitting .346. Sophomore middle hitter Mallory Tisue added 11 kills and freshman pin hitter Emersyn Secora added 10 kills and also had 24 digs. Sophomore libero Lexi Gehrke had 15 digs and two service aces. 

The second match was an exhibition match against Concordia JV. Head Coach Christy Mahi said "This was a fun match to play as all of our non-starters played the entire match. We ended up losing in five sets, but battled hard in each one."

To start Saturday off, the RedTails faced Bismarck State College, losing the first set (21-25), but picked up the heat beating the Mystics the next three sets (25-23, 25-16, & 25-18). 

Head Coach Christy Mahi had some thoughts about the match:

"We started slow again against Bismarck, but really came on strong and closed out the 4th set playing some really good volleyball. We hit .304 as a team in that set to get the win." 

Sophomore middle hitter Mallory Tisue lead all hitters with 13 kills and hit .276. The freshman duo Emersyn Secora and Ruby Patterson added 12 kills and 11 kills respectively. Freshman middle hitter Emma Boge returned from injuries and dominated the net with seven block assists. Lexi Gehrke had 20 digs and Nohea Mahi dished out 39 assists and had six service.

In their final match of the weekend the RedTails faced #19 NDSCS (North Dakota State College of Science). Head Coach Christy Mahi stated, ​​"I was very pleased with our match against NDSCS. We were able to get the first set 25-21 and set the tone for the match. We battled hard every set and ended up losing sets two (25-27) and five (13-15) by only two points. We showed grit and determination and almost beat the #19 team in the country. I thought sophomore DS, Allie Barrus, had a great match coming off the bench and came up with 16 digs and had four service aces." 

Sophomore libero, Lexi Gehrke led all defenders with 20 digs and also contributed 4 service aces. Sophomore setter Nohea Mahi had 6 kills, 50 assists and 18 digs in the battle against the Wildcats. Nohea did a great job of finding the hot hitter which helped spread out the offense making it more difficult to defend. Hitters Mallory Tisue, Emersyn Secora, Alexis Even and Ruby Patterson had 14, 13, 13, and 11 kills respectively.

The RedTails continue play Wednesday, September 18, against Marshalltown Community College in Marshalltown.