BISMARCK, N.D. – Linton-HMB repeated as North Dakota Class B volleyball champions Saturday, dispatching #1 Northern Cass in straight sets, 25-11, 25-22, 25-22.
The #2 Lions cruised to victory in the first set aided by a surprising seven unforced errors by the Jaguars.
In the second set Northern Cass jumped out to a 14-7 lead, but the Lions retained their composure and leaned on the steady hand of setter Gracie Schumacher to mount a comeback and superb defensive efforts by Callie Hase, JayCee Richter, and Teegan Scherr.
Northern Cass seemed poised to force a fourth set after taking a 20-14 lead in the third frame. However, the Lions ended the game on a 11-2 run, and Kim Gefroh finished the match with an emphatic kill to deliver a second straight championship to Linton-HMB.
Scherr led the Lions with 14 kills, Richter was next with 11, and ShayLee Bosch tallied six. Gracie Schumacher had a terrific all-around game with 39 assists, seven digs, and two kills.
Josie Jensen paced Northern Cass with six kills while adding two blocks. Halle Crockett had 18 digs, three kills, and an ace. The Jaguars’ runner-up finish follows a 4th place at the 2020 state tournament.
Linton-HMB goes back-to-back after previously never winning a state title, going 37-2 this year. It was also a banner season for the Richter family, as JayCee was named Class B Senior Athlete of the Year, and her mother Jaime was recognized as Coach of the Year.
