The Hitchcock-Tulare Patriots suffered their first loss of the season Tuesday night, falling to the Faulkton Trojans 3-1. Set scores were 23-25, 26-24, 17-25 and 24-26.
Several errors hurt the Patriots in a closely contested opening set as the Trojans held on for a 25-23 victory.
Hitchcock-Tulare found itself facing a 21-11 deficit in the second set, but the Patriots refused to go away. They staged an impressive comeback, scoring 15 of the final 18 points to win the set 26-24 and even the match at one set apiece.
Faulkton controlled most of the third set and pulled away for a 25-17 win. The Patriots responded with a strong effort in the fourth and held a lead late in the set. However, the Trojans rallied in the closing points to earn a 26-24 victory and secure the match.
Emmerie Arthurs led the Patriots’ attack with 12 kills, while Laina Puffer recorded 10 and Tess Bixler added nine. Keilee Schone delivered several big kills late in the fourth set and finished with five. Olivia Knox directed the offense with 32 assists.
At the service line, the Patriots recorded six aces, led by Brynn Binger with two.
Kaylie LaBrie led the defensive effort with 22 digs. Arthurs collected 21 digs, Knox finished with 18 and Puffer added 10.
Bixler led the Patriots at the net with two solo blocks and one block assist. Schone and Rylee Knock each recorded one solo block and two block assists.
The loss moves Hitchcock-Tulare’s record to 2-1. The Patriots will return to action Thursday night when they host rival Wolsey-Wessington in a key 281 Conference matchup. Matches begin in Tulare at 4:30 p.m. with the seventh-grade contest.