Shanley rallies over Davies in East Region quarterfinals

Chris Flynn / The Forum By Andrew Haugland Today at 9:26 PM Listen Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? FARGO — Fargo Shanley’s Anna Strand hammered down a kill late Tuesday night and exploded into a fiery celebration. The senior outside hitter’s kill made it match-point in the fourth set. When a Fargo Davies attack sailed into the net to end the match, Strand’s teammates followed suit in a raucous celebration. ADVERTISEMENT The fifth-seeded Deacons upended No. 4 Davies 3-1 (25-21, 23-25, 27-25, 27-25) in the North Dakota Division 2A East Region volleyball tournament at Davies High School. “That’s kind of how I play,” said Strand, who finished with a team-high 16 kills. “I am an intense player, but I think it uplifts my team and I bring energy to my team.” Shanley (16-17) plays top-seeded West Fargo Sheyenne in the semifinals at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, at Sheyenne. The Deacons return to the semifinals after missing out last season. “It was very high intensity … we’ve been working on a lot of pressure situations in practice,” said first-year Shanley head coach Olivia Rohrich. “I think the girls were really able to capitalize.” Chris Flynn / The Forum Davies pushed the Deacons to the brink in each of the final two sets that ended 27-25. In the third set, the Eagles led 25-24 before a Shanley kill and Merit Hanson block ended the frame. In the fourth set, the Deacons led 21-19, but Davies pieced together a three-point string highlighted by Ellery Ames’ block. Both teams traded the lead back-and-forth before Strand’s kill and an attack error ended the contest. “We have high hopes and we know we can get far,” Strand said. “We really had grit today and fought for each other.” ADVERTISEMENT Shanley won the first set 25-21. The Eagles scored four straight points to end the second set 25-23, which included a pair of service aces from Sawyer Kosidowski. During the intermission ahead of the third set, Rohrich emphasized to her team the need to limit the Eagles damage. “Stringing our points together and then using our momentum to continue into the match,” Rohrich said, “and not letting them creep back in on the momentum.” Chris Flynn / The Forum Julia Hulstein led the Deacons with three service aces, while Hanson and Scarlett Horner both had five blocks. Brooklyn Bogenreif had 23 assists. The Eagles (16-17) host No. 8 Grand Forks Red River in a loser-out match at 6 p.m. Thursday. Sierra Reinke led Davies with 12 kills. Ames had five blocks and Kosidowski aced three serves. Shanley looks to return to the state tournament after missing out last season. The Deacons were swept 3-0 twice by Sheyenne during the regular season. “Our biggest thing against them is going to be trying to improve the efficiency of our serving pass,” Rohrich said. ADVERTISEMENT Chris Flynn / The Forum Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? Tags Tags PREP SPORTS GIRLS VOLLEYBALL FARGO SHANLEY DEACONS FARGO DAVIES EAGLES By Andrew Haugland After graduating from North Dakota State University, Haugland joined the Forum in January of 2023. Readers can reach him at 701-241-5508 or by emailing [email protected] Twitter Listen to this article Conversation ADVERTISEMENT What To Read Next Prep Stampede snap Force win streak at 4 4m ago · By Staff reports Prep West Fargo sweeps into East Region volleyball semifinals 38m ago · By Ryan Spitza Prep Sheyenne's Jake Dangerud finds his fit by committing to NDSU baseball 2d ago · By Andrew Haugland ADVERTISEMENT Get Local Must Reads Men's Sports McFeely: Hawaii, somehow, blocks out distractions in paradise 4h ago · By Mike McFeely Business New Fargo coffee shop will feature viral fruit dessert and Vietnamese coffee 15h ago · By Stephanie Dickerson Fargo Pucker Power: Ben Franklin trumpet students compete for best 'siren' sound 3h ago · By Kevin Wallevand Minnesota Becker County voter's ballot misses deadline by a day as Senate race remains close 3h ago · By Michael McGurran