STURGIS, S.D. – The Sturgis Scooper Volleyball team kicked off their 2020 season with a convincing victory over Butte County rival Belle Fourche at West Gymnasium on Tuesday evening.
Amid COVID-19 restrictions requiring a mask and social distancing, a crowd of more than 500 fans cheered on the Scoopers as they downed the Broncs three sets to one.
The 2020 Scooper volleyball roster includes 8 seniors and four juniors and new head coach Debbie Cano. Belle Fourche’s roster featured a much younger squad with 5 seniors, 3 juniors, 3 sophomores and one freshman.
The Scoopers started strong in set one behind solid serving and setting by Cano and beat Belle Fourche 25-12. Several unforced errors by the Broncs contributed to the loss.
Belle Fourche cleaned up their play in set two and closed the gap against the Scoopers but came up short, with Sturgis taking a 25-22 win in set two.
The Scoopers made a number of unforced errors of their own in set three and Belle Fourche jumped out to an early lead. Bronc senior Amity Middleton scorched the Scoopers with her blistering serves and led Belle Fourche to a 25-22 win over Sturgis in set three.
Belle Fourche again took an early lead in set four but the Scoopers would not be denied in their home opener. Senior right side hitter Brinley Pickett recorded three kills during the set to give Sturgis a lead that they would not relinquish and the Scoopers won the match with a 25-17 win in set four. Senior Jillian Beck closed out the set and the match with a kill to win match point.
The Scoopers were led by Pickett with seven kills, one block and 1 assist. Seniors Kaylee Whatley and Elizabeth Ortiz had an outstanding first match of the season with Whatley contributing seven kills, one block and one ace. Ortiz chipped in six kills, two blocks and five aces. Junior setter Joellen Cano set up her teammates with 10 assists.
Middleton had seven kills, five aces and one dig for Belle Fourche. Grace Klooten added 6 kills and sophomore setter Ayden Kummer added six assists for the Broncs.
Sturgis, 1-0, faces St. Thomas More at home in their next scheduled match on Tuesday, Sept. 1. First serve starts at 7pm.
