By Alan Van Ormer
Tribune editor

Dell Rapids traveled to the Lake Preston Volleyball Tournament on Saturday and came away with a third place finish. Arlington captured the championship.
The Quarriers defeated Sioux Valley, 21-25, 25-23 and 30-28 in an early match and then beat Lake Preston, 26-24 and 25-18. Arlington beat Dell Rapids, 25-14 and 25-11.
Sioux Valley avenged an earlier defeat by posting a 25-22, 23-25 and 25-22 win in the double elimination tournament.
Leaders on the day included Karlie Solum’s 33 service points, Paige Bunkers’ 39 digs, Shelby Bierema’s and Emily Kerns’ 45 kills and 23 kills respectively, Kristi Hoffman’s 66 set assists. The Quarrier’s record stands at 6-7 overall.
“We did some nice things throughout the day. I was especially proud of the girls with their comeback win against Sioux Valley in the first round,” Coach Dale Solberg said. “I like to see that type of team character. We will make some adjustments to better ourselves in the upcoming weeks. “
Solberg said that one area that the team has to improve is blocking. “It is a very important aspect of the game,” he said.
Earlier in the week, Tri-Valley defeated the Quarriers in three games, 25-21, 25-21 and 25-18.
In that match, Paige Bunkers had 15 digs, Shelby Bierema had 13 kills and Kristi Hoffman had 24 assists.
“As a coach, you always look for little ‘victories’ within a defeat. However, I am struggling to put my finger on something we did well as a team,” Solberg said. “I was most disappointed in our team’s mental preparation. True competitors always prepare themselves to go ‘toe-to-toe’ with her opponents especially against a good Tri-Valley team. I know we are much better than this.”
The Quarriers lost a tough one in five games to Canton on Sept. 14 in Dell Rapids 17-25, 25-19, 16-25, 25-19, 17-15.
“You have to give Canton credit,” Solberg said. “Their blocking was the difference in the contest and we just didn’t make the plays when we needed them.”
Bierema had 11 points, 27 kills and two blocks to lead the way. Emily Kerns had 10 kills and four blocks, while Ashley Munk had 14 points an 12 serve receives. Hoffman had 37 set assists, while Bunkers and Solum had 18 and 13 digs respectively.