Elk Point-Jefferson volleyball players celebrate their first-round upset of Wagner on Nov. 17 at the state volleyball tournament. The team placed third at the tournament.
Tim Hynds, Sioux City Journal
Elk Point-Jefferson's Bentlee Kollbaum (13) hits towards Wagner's Shona Kocer (6) and Shalayne Nagel (3) during a Class A quarterfinal-round match at the state volleyball tournament Thursday in Sioux Falls. Elk Point-Jefferson upset top-seeded Wagner in four sets to advance to the semi-finals Friday.Â
Tim Hynds, Sioux City Journal
Elk Point-Jefferson's Alyssa Chytka (0) bumps the ball vs Wagner during a Class A quarterfinal-round match at the state volleyball tournament Thursday in Sioux Falls. Elk Point Jefferson upset top-seeded Wagner in four sets.
Tim Hynds, Sioux City Journal
Elk Point-Jefferson's Natalie Heuertz (16) hits past Wagner's Avari Bruguier (9) and Kya Kjeldgaard (11) during a Class A quarterfinal-round match at the state volleyball tournament Thursday in Sioux Falls.
Tim Hynds, Sioux City Journal
Elk Point-Jefferson's Josie Curry (11) hits over Wagner's Shona Kocer (6) and Macy Koupal (4) during Elk Point-Jefferson vs Wagner Class A quarterfinal-round action of the state volleyball tournament played Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Elk Point Jefferson upset Wagner, winning in four sets.
SIOUX FALLS -- Trailing 24-23 in the fourth set, Elk Point-Jefferson's Bentlee Kollbaum and Josie Curry lept high at the net to block a Wagner kill attempt, knotting the score.
After Curry's kill pulled EP-J ahead, 25-24, Wagner answered with a kill from Shona Kocer. That set the stage for Kollbaum, who hammered home the final two points of the match, giving the Huskies an upset victory over top-seeded Wagner in the quarter-finals of the state volleyball tournament Thursday.
Elk Point-Jefferson volleyball players celebrate their first-round upset of Wagner on Nov. 17 at the state volleyball tournament. The team placed third at the tournament.
Elk Point-Jefferson assistant coach Tami Goehring and members of the team celebrate a point against Wagner in the Class A quarterfinal-round of the state volleyball tournament in Sioux Falls. Seated at right is EP-J head coach Erin Kuper. Elk Point Jefferson upset Wagner, winning in four sets.
Elk Point-Jefferson's Natalie Heuertz (16) hits towards Wagner's Kya Kjeldgaard (11) and Macy Koupal (4) during Elk Point-Jefferson vs Wagner Class A quarterfinal-round action of the state volleyball tournament played Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Elk Point Jefferson upset Wagner, winning in four sets.
Elk Point-Jefferson's Natalie Heuertz (16) has her hit blocked by Wagner's Shalayne Nagel (3) and Kya Kjeldgaard (11) during Elk Point-Jefferson vs Wagner Class A quarterfinal-round action of the state volleyball tournament played Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Elk Point Jefferson upset Wagner, winning in four sets.
Elk Point-Jefferson's Bentlee Kollbaum (13) hits past Wagner's Shalayne Nagel (3) during Elk Point-Jefferson vs Wagner Class A quarterfinal-round action of the state volleyball tournament played Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Elk Point Jefferson upset Wagner, winning in four sets.
Elk Point-Jefferson's Bentlee Kollbaum (13) hits towards Wagner's Shona Kocer (6) and Shalayne Nagel (3) during a Class A quarterfinal-round match at the state volleyball tournament Thursday in Sioux Falls. Elk Point-Jefferson upset top-seeded Wagner in four sets to advance to the semi-finals Friday.Â
Elk Point-Jefferson's Ashley Brewer (12) hits over Wagner's Kya Kjeldgaard (11) and Shalayne Nagel (3)during Elk Point-Jefferson vs Wagner Class A quarterfinal-round action of the state volleyball tournament played Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Elk Point Jefferson upset Wagner, winning in four sets.
Elk Point-Jefferson's Natalie Heuertz (16) hits past Wagner's Avari Bruguier (9) and Kya Kjeldgaard (11) during a Class A quarterfinal-round match at the state volleyball tournament Thursday in Sioux Falls.
Elk Point-Jefferson's Sophia Giorgio (10), Kaitlyn VanRoekel (5) and Josie Curry (11) defend against Wagner's Emma Yost (10)during Elk Point-Jefferson vs Wagner Class A quarterfinal-round action of the state volleyball tournament played Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Elk Point Jefferson upset Wagner, winning in four sets.
Elk Point-Jefferson assistant coach Tami Goehring and her squad celebrate a point in first set action against Wagner in Class A quarterfinal-round action of the state volleyball tournament played Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Elk Point Jefferson upset Wagner, winning in four sets.
Elk Point-Jefferson's Josie Curry (11) hits over Wagner's Shona Kocer (6) and Macy Koupal (4) during Elk Point-Jefferson vs Wagner Class A quarterfinal-round action of the state volleyball tournament played Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Elk Point Jefferson upset Wagner, winning in four sets.
Elk Point-Jefferson's Natalie Heuertz (16) hitd past Wagner's Avari Bruguier (9) and Shona Kocer (6) during Elk Point-Jefferson vs Wagner Class A quarterfinal-round action of the state volleyball tournament played Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Elk Point Jefferson upset Wagner, winning in four sets.
Elk Point-Jefferson's Sophia Giorgio (10) sets the ball during Elk Point-Jefferson vs Wagner Class A quarterfinal-round action of the state volleyball tournament played Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Elk Point Jefferson upset Wagner, winning in four sets.
Elk Point-Jefferson's Alyssa Chytka (0) hits the ball during Elk Point-Jefferson vs Wagner Class A quarterfinal-round action of the state volleyball tournament played Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Elk Point Jefferson upset Wagner, winning in four sets.
Elk Point-Jefferson's Alyssa Chytka (0) bumps the ball vs Wagner during a Class A quarterfinal-round match at the state volleyball tournament Thursday in Sioux Falls. Elk Point Jefferson upset top-seeded Wagner in four sets.
Members of the Elk Point-Jefferson squad, including Danica Torrez (2), facing camera, celebrate beating Wagner in Class A quarterfinal-round action of the state volleyball tournament played Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Elk Point Jefferson upset Wagner, winning in four sets.
Elk Point-Jefferson head coach Erin Kuper cheers a play during her team's quarterfinal-round match in state volleyball tournament Thursday in Sioux Falls. Kuper gave birth to her first child Saturday, and returned to the court five days later to lead the Huskiers to an upset victory over top-seeded Wagner.
Dakota Valley's Jorja Van Den Hul (4) hits past Sioux Falls Christian's Taylor Byl (9) and Addisen Barber (4) during Dakota Valley vs Sioux Falls Christian Class A quarterfinal round action of the state volleyball tournament played Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Dakota Valley lost in three sets.
Dakota Valley's Claire Munch (12) bumps the ball vs. Sioux Falls Christian in the quarterfinals of the 2022 South Dakota Class A state tournament in Sioux Falls. Munch returns for the Panthers this season.Â
Dakota Valley's Sophie Tuttle (13) hits past Sioux Falls Christian's Taylor Byl (9) during Dakota Valley vs Sioux Falls Christian Class A quarterfinal round action of the state volleyball tournament played Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Dakota Valley lost in three sets.
Dakota Valley's Reagan VanRooyan (3) dives for the ball during Dakota Valley vs Sioux Falls Christian Class A quarterfinal round action of the state volleyball tournament played Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Dakota Valley lost in three sets.
Dakota Valley's Jorja Van Den Hul (4) hits the ball as Sioux Falls Christian's Sidney Oostra (8) and Taylor Byl (9) defend during Dakota Valley vs Sioux Falls Christian Class A quarterfinal round action of the state volleyball tournament played Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Dakota Valley lost in three sets.
Dakota Valley's Logan Miller (8) defends against Sioux Falls Christian's Sidney Oostra (8) during a Class A quarterfinal match at the 2023 state volleyball tournament. Miller, one of the state's top setters, is the Journal's 2023 Metro Female Athlete of the Year.
Dakota Valley's Sophie Tuttle (13) runs to save an out of bounds ball during Dakota Valley vs Sioux Falls Christian Class A quarterfinal round action of the state volleyball tournament played Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Standing is Dakota Valley head coach Mary Miller. Dakota Valley lost in three sets.
Dakota Valley's Sophie Tuttle (13) hits towards Sioux Falls Christian's Peyton Poppema (3) during Dakota Valley vs Sioux Falls Christian Class A quarterfinal round action of the state volleyball tournament played Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Dakota Valley lost in three sets.
Dakota Valley's Addison Kleis (14) hits as Sioux Falls Christian's Ellie Lems (10) and Brietta Tims (15) defend during Dakota Valley vs Sioux Falls Christian Class A quarterfinal round action of the state volleyball tournament played Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Dakota Valley lost in three sets.
Dakota Valley's Addison Kleis (14) hits as Sioux Falls Christian's Peyton Poppema (3) and Ellie Lems (10) reach to defend during Dakota Valley vs Sioux Falls Christian Class A quarterfinal round action of the state volleyball tournament played Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Dakota Valley lost in three sets.
Dakota Valley's Reagan VanRooyan (3) bumps the ball during Dakota Valley vs Sioux Falls Christian Class A quarterfinal round action of the state volleyball tournament played Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Dakota Valley lost in three sets.
Dakota Valley's Logan Miller (8) sets the ball against Sioux Falls Christian in the quarterfinals of the Class A state tournament in Sioux Falls. Miller, one of the state's premiere setters the last three seasons, is The Journal's 2023 Metro Female Athlete of the Year.
Dakota Valley's Kate VanRooyan (2) returns the ball during Dakota Valley vs Sioux Falls Christian Class A quarterfinal round action of the state volleyball tournament played Thursday at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Dakota Valley lost in three sets.
Members of the Dakota Valley team react to an official's call during Dakota Valley vs Sioux Falls Christian Class A quarterfinal round action of the state volleyball tournament played Thursday at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.Â
Dakota Valley head coach Mary Miller signals her team during Dakota Valley vs Sioux Falls Christian Class A quarterfinal round action of the state volleyball tournament played Thursday at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Dakota Valley lost in three sets.
"I just knew I had to keep it in play and hit it hard," Kollbaum said of her last kill.Â
The sophomore finished with 18 kills as EP-J won 25-21, 25-23, 23-25, 27-25, avenging a two-set loss to Wagner in the regular season and a five-set heartbreaking loss to the Red Raiders in the Sweet 16 last season.
"We had more energy. We were more scrappy," Kollbaum said. "We just played with our whole hearts."
EP-J, which improved to 25-9, advances to the semi-finals of Class A Friday against five-time defending champion Sioux Falls Christian. The Knights swept Dakota Valley, 25-14, 25-16, 25-21, in another first-round match Thursday at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
Elk Point-Jefferson, which won the first two sets against Wagner in their 2021 postseason match, did the same Thursday. But after the Huskies jumped out to a 7-1 lead in the third set, Wagner rallied, taking the lead for the first time, 19-18. The set then went back and forth, with the Huskies edging ahead, 21-20, only to see Wagner come back again. With the score knotted 23-23, the Red Raiders closed out the set on a Kya Kjeldgaard kill and a net violation by the Huskies.
The Huskies responded in the fourth set, zooming to a 8-3 lead that later grew to 14-7. But the Red Raiders, facing elimination, slowly cut the deficit, behind the hitting of Emma Yost, who recorded five kills in the final stages of the set.Â
EP-J head coach Erin Kuper said her team, which returned nearly all of its key players, showed more mental toughness in Thursday's match than they did in the Round of 16 last year.
"Even when they were down, they continued to fight and come back," Kuper said. "I think they had the confidence in themselves and each other."
The jubilant coach spoke as she held a bag of ice against her stomach, five days after she gave birth to her first child last Saturday. She returned to the court a few days later to lead the Huskies in their first state tournament appearance since 2019.Â
Senior setter Sophia Giorgio and defensive specialist Alyssa Chytka are the lone holdovers from the 2019 team, which was Kuper's first as head coach. The Huskies finished seventh at state that season.
Kuper credited Giorgio with repeatedly making plays all over the court against Wagner. The senior finished with 53 assists and 11 digs.
"Our setter worked her butt off," the coach said. "She never asks for help. She just goes and gets every ball. It just installs confidence in everyone else."
Chytka led the team with 30 digs. Curry, a senior middle hitter, finished with 13 kills.
Kollbaum said the victory was a total team effort.
"Everyone was hitting well and setting well. Our passes were perfect," she said.
Fourth-ranked Sioux Center built early leads and fed off of its opponent’s errors to sweep No. 5 West Liberty in the Class 3A quarterfinals, Tuesday.
Elk Point-Jefferson volleyball players celebrate their first-round upset of Wagner on Nov. 17 at the state volleyball tournament. The team placed third at the tournament.
Elk Point-Jefferson's Bentlee Kollbaum (13) hits towards Wagner's Shona Kocer (6) and Shalayne Nagel (3) during a Class A quarterfinal-round match at the state volleyball tournament Thursday in Sioux Falls. Elk Point-Jefferson upset top-seeded Wagner in four sets to advance to the semi-finals Friday.Â
Elk Point-Jefferson's Alyssa Chytka (0) bumps the ball vs Wagner during a Class A quarterfinal-round match at the state volleyball tournament Thursday in Sioux Falls. Elk Point Jefferson upset top-seeded Wagner in four sets.
Elk Point-Jefferson's Natalie Heuertz (16) hits past Wagner's Avari Bruguier (9) and Kya Kjeldgaard (11) during a Class A quarterfinal-round match at the state volleyball tournament Thursday in Sioux Falls.
Elk Point-Jefferson's Josie Curry (11) hits over Wagner's Shona Kocer (6) and Macy Koupal (4) during Elk Point-Jefferson vs Wagner Class A quarterfinal-round action of the state volleyball tournament played Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Elk Point Jefferson upset Wagner, winning in four sets.