Volleyball team makes a comeback

The Custer High School Wildcat volleyball team made a comeback in the season last week, with a victory over the Belle Fourche Broncs and a third-place finish at the Lakota Nation Invitational (LNI) in Rapid City. 
“They did a great job,” said head coach Jill Hohn. 
After losing to the Broncs a few days before, the ’Cats faced them again on their home court Sept. 30. 
“They really came in. That first set, they were able to establish some different things, and they really started to get their teamwork together. Then, by the end of the other two sets, they were having such a good time on the court. They had fun, and we were able to get a lot of girls into play. So it was a really good night,” said Hohn. 
Several younger varsity athletes took the court in the third set, flooding the game with fresh energy. 
“We want to try to get as many girls in as possible,” Hohn said. “So it was just a good opportunity for that game to be able to get a lot of players rotated in.” 
The Wildcats won in a three-set stretch of 25-18, 25-13 and 25-8. 
After that the Wildcats got a brief rest before the LNI Oct. 3-4. The ’Cats won the first five games of pool play, going into bracket play the next day with three more games. 
On Oct. 3, Custer beat Takini Indian School 25-6 and 25-5, McLaughlin Indian School 25-13 and 25-7, Oelrichs High School 25-10 and 25-8, Lodge Grass High School 25-12 and 25-18 and Santee High School 25-7 and 25-14.
The next day, Custer faced White River High School, winning 25-12 and 25-20. In the game against Bennett County High School, Custer lost 25-18 and 25-15. However, the ’Cats pulled out one more win against Pine Ridge High School, finishing 25-6 and 25-18. 
“I think it went really well overall for the girls. It was a lot of volleyball, but they did a very good job. They played really well over the course of the weekend. We were very proud of how they did,” Hohn said.
Overall, the Wildcats went 7-1 and took third place. Rylan Lowe received the Outstanding Setter Award, and Keira Nelson made the All-Tournament Team. 
“They just performed very well throughout the tournament,” said Hohn. 
The Wildcats faced the Hot Springs Bison Tuesday, Oct. 7. The Wildcats have beaten the Bison twice previously, but Hohn said the girls would need to go into the game mentally tough due to the crowd atmosphere. Results were not available at publication. 
After that, the Wildcats will face the Wall Eagles at home Thursday, Oct. 9. 
“We played Wall at the tournament, and we played very well against them,” said Hohn. 
Then, the Wildcats will travel for a game against Maȟpíya Lúta Tuesday, Oct. 14. 
“We haven’t played Maȟpíya Lúta yet, but I did watch them play,” said Hohn. “We looked at what some of their strengths are, and we know we can perform well against them as well. So we’re feeling pretty confident coming into these next three games.”