Rangers win back-to-back games

Hill City volleyball gave its homecoming week a boost with back-to-back victories, edging out Lead-Deadwood in five sets on the road before returning home Thursday night to defeat Newell in a three-set sweep.

“We are continuing to play more consistently and improve with each game,” said head coach Allie Henderson. “It takes a lot of mental toughness to overcome a tough opening season.”

The Rangers opened the week with a hard-fought victory over Lead-Deadwood last Tuesday. After winning the opener, Hill City dropped the second and third sets but rallied to take the final two sets and the win, 25-16, 21-25, 19-25, 25-15 and 15-11.

“The team has really kept a level head and started understanding that our goals are much more individual/team oriented, rather than focused on just wins against an opponent,” said Henderson. “We just needed to see that success is earned and is not something just to be expected.”

The win was fueled by a balanced attack at the net with Carlie Hobbick leading the Rangers with 16 kills and 15 assists. Zulema Lupercio kept the offense moving with 16 assists.

Eighth-grader Cora Stoebner was a force at the net, contributing 10 kills, while Ashley Ronning added eight, Eden Wildeman had six and Izabella Johnson and Emma Del Valle each contributed five.

From the service line, Wildeman recorded five aces, Stoebner four and Lupercio three.

Defensively, Hobbick recorded a team-high 27 digs, followed by Stoebner with 26, Katelyn Dean with 20 and Lupercio with 15.

The Rangers carried the momentum back to their home court Thursday night for homecoming where they swept Newell 3-0, winning 25-16, 25-21 and 25-12.

“I was really happy to celebrate a couple of wins during homecoming week,” said Henderson. “Newell was one of the most consistent games we’ve had yet. We were able to spread the wealth a bit more and utilize all of our players. Each player did their part to bring home some wins.”

Lupercio kept the offense moving with 16 assists, while Wildeman and Hobbick led the Rangers’ offensive charge with nine kills each, followed by Ronning with five and Stoebner and Johnson adding three each. Del Valle contributed two for the Ranger win.

Stoebner recorded three aces from the service line, while Hobbick contributed two, and Dean and Lupercio added one each.

Dean led the defense with 12 digs, followed closely by Hobbick and Lupercio with 11 and Stoebner contributing 10.

“It’s so rewarding seeing that hunger to improve every day and goes to show that these girls are dedicated to being the best they can be. We’re back on the ascent, and I’m excited to see what we can accomplish the rest of the season,” said Henderson. “I think a big take away now though is not to be satisfied with just being ‘good enough.’”

The Rangers traveled to Philip Tuesday to take on the Scotties. Results were not yet available. Thursday, the Rangers face-off against Rapid City Christian at Gins Gym at 7 p.m.