WDA teams head to Class A Tournament

BISMARCK –  The 2024 volleyball season will come to a close later this week at the Class A Tournament in Fargo. For the WDA, its a chance to bring a state tournament title back to the west. The last time that happened was 2021 when Bismarck Century defeated rival Bismarck High. Since then, West Fargo Sheyenne of has won a pair of titles and is a serious contender for three in a row.  The WDA’s four entries were part of the tournament field the past two seasons. Bismarck Century is the West’s top seed and the WDA regular season and West Region Tournament champion. Bismarck High is No. 2. Bismarck Legacy is No. 3 squad and Jamestown is No. 4.
As mentioned, WF Sheyenne is the two-time defending champion and did not lose a match to any of the WDA state tourney entries during play this season at the Bismarck and Fargo Tournaments. The Mustangs, who finished third in the EDC regular season, won the East Region Tournament and have reached the state tournament in each of the past seven years. West Fargo Horace is making its state tournament debut. The Hawks, which finished fourth in regular season EDC play, rose to the occasion at regionals to finish second. The final two East entries are (3) Fargo Shanley and (4) Fargo Davies. Both shared the EDC regular season title, but dropped semifinal matches in the region tournament. This is the second consecutive trips for both squads.
Success at the tournament often comes down to the little things. A few keys for success this weekend include a good start. All four quarterfinal winners a season ago took the opening set, so bringing a lot of energy and precision at the start of a match is important.
There are many serves throughout the course of a match and teams that reduce service errors and put pressure on the back row with serves with pace stand a good chance to win a lot of quick points. And finally, communication. Teams that communicate on the court stay engaged in every point and are in proper position to make a play on a ball, keep a ball alive or get a hit through a shifting defense.

Nov. 21 Quarterfinal: Jamestown vs. West Fargo Sheyenne, 1 p.m.
The Blue Jays’ path to the Class A Tournament was the most unlikely of the four WDA entries. The squad had a sub-par regular season in conference play, finishing seventh. However the ’Jays which have veteran players who have been in big matches over the years, found their form at the West Region Tournament, going 3-1. After a play-in home sweep over (10) St. Mary’s, it dropped a four-setter to (2) Bismarck High in the quarterfinal before rattling off a victory over (6) Minot North in loser-out play and then posted a sweep of (4) Dickinson in a state qualifier. Jamestown is at its best when it can block well at the net.
Key players: Edie Hegerle, Sr.; Leah Trumbauer, Sr.; Lucy Falk, So.
Record vs. EDC opponents in 2024: 6-4

Coach Hegerle: “We need to keep up the energy in every situation. We had a lot of intentional energy at the WDA Tournament. Passing well and serving tough is always something we stress. We need to defend like crazy. Defense wins games. And have fun! Keep connected and grow stronger as a team.”

Nov. 21 Quarterfinal: Bismarck High vs. Fargo Shanley, 3 p.m.
Reaching the Class A Tournament was expected for the Demons which are making their third-straight appearance. BHS had a solid regular season which included a second place WDA finish and a pair of wins over rival Century. One coming at the Fargo Tournament in early October. The squad reached the West Region Tournament final for the first time since 2021. BHS defeated (7) Jamestown in four sets in the quarterfinal and then earned a hard-fought four-set victory over (3) Minot High in semifinal play. The final two sets were decided each by two points. In the final, BHS was swept by top-seed Century. In that quarterfinal match, senior Mya Williams went down with an injury. The team has a steady back row and capable hitters up front.
Key players: Madison Foster, Sr.; Jordyn Rood, Jr.; Aspen Roaldson, Jr.
Record vs. EDC opponents in 2024: 4-5

Coach Kline: “We need to stay confident and mentally in a good place. We need to get our block back on track and help out our defense. Our defense also needs to stay scrappy. And even when we don’t get a perfect pass, be able to control the second and third contacts to stay aggressive. A big part of our game is our middles. We need to keep them involved.”

Nov. 21 Quarterfinal: Bismarck Legacy vs. WF Horace, 7 p.m.
The Sabers’ extended their state tournament appearance streak to five years following a 3-1 mark at the West Region Tournament. Legacy defeated (12) TMCHS Belcourt in a home play-in match. It was swept by (4) Dickinson in the quarterfinals but roared back from that set back. It defeated (8) Williston in loser-out play and won an emotional five-set thriller over (3) Minot High in a state qualifier. Legacy trailed 2-1 in the match. Legacy won just two of its first seven matches as the squad was looking to adjust to new faces filling different roles. Eventually, things began to click and it culminated with a solid region showing as the No. 5 seed. 
Key players: Brooklynn Felchle, Sr.; McKenna Brendel, Sr.; Cambree Volk, Jr.
Record vs. EDC opponents in 2024: 3-5

Coach Astle: “I hope we can limit our peaks and valleys (stay consistent). Last week (at regionals) we had quite a few sets where we started behind. We have to keep spreading the ball around to all our hitters. We have to block well at the net and let the defense in the back row do their thing. Keep trusting one another.”

Nov. 21 Quarterfinal: Bismarck Century vs. Fargo Dvaies, 5 p.m.
 The Patriots just keep on trucking. Century has reached the state tournament now for the past 14 seasons and enter state on the heels of an 11th consecutive West Region Tournament championship. The program now sets its sights on a state title. The last time the Pats won the championship was in 2021. The WDA regular season champs had a solid performance at the aforementioned region tournament, sweeping all three opponents. It defeated (8) Williston in the quarterfinals and then (4) Dickinson in the semifinals before topping rival and No. 2 Bismarck High in the championship. Solid is a good word to describe the Patriots. They are fundamentally sound and rarely make unforced errors. A big reason they don’t drop too many sets. And the team has a number of reserves that come off the bench.
Key players: Atrianna Backman, Sr.; Addison Klemin, Sr.; Holland Fitterer, Sr.
Record vs. EDC opponents in 2024: 7-2

Coach Zastoupil: “Our first contact is going to be extremely important. We have a number of good hitters that we need to be able to utilize. If we keep a balance doffnese we are going to be playing our best volleyball. This is a special group of players. They have a strong bond and can play well off of each other.”

Final volleys: The last time the EDC won three-straight tournament title was 2002-2003..(Red River, winter of 2002; Fargo South, fall; of 2002; and Red River, fall of 20023)...WDAY-TV (ABC) will be televising and/or livestreaming all tournament matches...The Fargodome is the site of the Class A-B Tournament for a second year in a row...

Photo: McKenzie Schilke, Legacy