BROOKINGS The Brookings Bobcats rallied after dropping the first set to defeat Mitchell 3-1 at Brookings High School on Tuesday night.
The Bobcats lost the first set by a score of 25-21 before responding with a 25-16 win in the second set, 25-22 in the third set and 25-21 in the fourth set to earn their first home win of the year.
The Kernels and Bobcats battled to an 8-8 draw in the early stages of the first set before Mitchell jumped ahead to a 12-8 lead. The four-point advantage continued as the Bobcats took a second timeout down 18-14 and Mitchell finished it off to take a 25-21 win into the second set.
But the Bobcats bounced back, going on a 6-1 run to start the second set. Brookings used the fast start to lead from wire-to-wire, leading 16-11 and 20-13 at a pair of Mitchell timeouts before winning the second game 25-16.
Mitchell outplayed us in the first set, Thomas explained. Their defense was picking up everything and they had four or five big blocks. We talked about finding open shots on the court and moving the ball on the block. And it was great to see our team bounce back.
Part of the reason for the comeback was the Bobcats proficiency at the service line which saw Kamryn Streich post seven of Brookings nine aces and an improved effort on defense with four players with 10 or more digs.
The momentum continued from there as Brookings jumped ahead 5-1 in the third set. Mitchell tied the set at 8-8 and took the lead soon after before both teams stayed within a couple of points of each other throughout the set.
When Mitchell held a 21-19 advantage late in the third set, Brookings scored three straight points to take a 22-21 lead and eventually won the third set 25-22 to take a 2-1 lead in the match.
With the Kernels on the ropes, the Bobcats took an 11-7 lead when Mitchell used its first timeout and 18-10 when Mitchell used a second timeout. Brookings had match point at 24-16 but Mitchell scored five straight points before Kymber Buys closed the match with a kill in the center of the court to give the Bobcats a four-set victory.
Macy Even led the way offensively for the Bobcats with 13 kills. Rylee Thompson had 11 kills while Arielle Ferrell had six kills. Buys had four kills while Lily Thompson and Tess Burns each had three kills.
Buys had 31 assists. Streich had three assists and Morgan Norgaard had two assists. Rylee Thompson and Tess Burns had one assist each.
Burns had three aces and Buys had two aces.
Norgaard had a team-high 23 digs while Streich had 14 digs, Even had 12 digs and Buys had 11 digs.
Rylee Thompson also had seven digs while Burns had five digs and Logan Smidt had four digs.
Lily Thompson had four block assists. Even and Rylee Thompson had two block assists. Burns and Buys each had a block assist.
It was an important win for Brookings, who now owns a record of 9-6 and earned a victory to kick off a stretch against ESD opponents that continues on Thursday in Huron. But it was also exciting to get a win in front of the home crowd with an extended group as part of Little Bobcats night.
It felt great to get an ESD win at home, Thomas said. Especially with our awesome crowd tonight.
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