The Hitchcock-Tulare Patriots shook off a slow start Tuesday night and came away with a 3-1 victory over the Iroquois-Lake Preston Sharks.
The Sharks took the first set 25-19, but the Patriots answered with a close 26-24 win to even the match. Hitchcock-Tulare then rolled to a 25-10 victory in the third set before finishing the night with a 25-19 win in the fourth.
The Patriots spread the attack across three hitters. Emmerie Arthurs put down 14 kills, Keilee Schone added 12, and Tess Bixler finished with 10. Brynn Binger directed the offense with 37 assists. Schone also served five of the team’s 11 aces.
Hitchcock-Tulare got a strong defensive effort across the court. Arthurs collected 29 digs, Olivia Knox had 25, Paige McNeely added 13, Kaylie LaBrie recorded 12, and Binger chipped in 10. The Patriots finished with two solo blocks and 12 block assists. Schone and Bixler each recorded a solo block and three block assists, while McNeely added three block assists.
The victory brings the Patriots to 5-6 overall and 2-2 in 281 Conference play. Next, they head to the Sioux Falls Pentagon invitational, where they will face Ethan at 10:30 a.m. and Hanson at 11:45 a.m. on Court 7.