Cardinals keep on winning

The current crop of girls at Carrington High School is really good at winning.

Basketball, track and field, volleyball – whatever, these Cardinals just win, baby.

Since its fall, that means volleyball and all they’ve done so far is play 30 matches and win 28 of them. So, what else is new?

“It’s a pretty talented group,” said Carrington volleyball coach Sharon Boehmer. “It seems like whatever they do, they’re good at.”

When basketball season rolls around, the same core group will try to defend their state title. But in the meantime, they’d like to make a run in volleyball, too. Last year, they went 32-5 and finished one win from the state tournament. This year, they want to take at least one more step.

“We lost two seniors off that team, and the girls coming back had every expectation of getting back, if not going further,” Boehmer said.

The Cardinals have good size, speed, experience and depth, but they’re also tested.

“Experience in big matches, these girls have been there. Not just in volleyball, but obviously in basketball too,” Boehmer said. “They’re not going to get nervous under pressure. They like those situations.”

Few teams can match up with the firepower the Cardinals have.

Seniors Emily Thompson and Sierra Rosenau — names familiar to everyone who follows Class B sports — give the Cardinals a powerful 1-2 hitting punch.

“Emily and Sierra have played in so many big games. When you have two girls like that, you’re going to have success,” Boehmer said.

But they also have depth.

Sophomore middle hitters Madison Wendel and Kayla Hochhalter also possess a spirited swing, and Breanna Barton is steadily getting back to her old form after suffering a major knee injury last season.

Junior Josey Page and senior Miranda Peterson share setting duties. Hannah Lipetzky handles libero duties and Nikki Braaten does a little bit of everything.

“We are blessed with a lot of depth,” Boehmer said.

The Cardinals have two regular-season matches remaining, including an intriguing showdown with District 8 power North Star on Monday in Cando.

The postseason is rapidly approaching and with the Cardinals, Midkota, Langdon and North Star, the Region 4 tournament in Devils Lake on Nov. 7-8 and 10 could double as a mini-state tournament.

Midkota and Carrington — the top two teams in District 7 — have a combined four losses in nearly 60 matches and all four are against each other.

“The girls are fired up for the postseason,” Boehmer said. “With as good as the teams are it should be very exciting.”

Sun sports editor Dave Selvig can be reached at (701) 952-8460 or by e-mail at daves@jamestownsun.com

Tags: class b, sports, volleyball, carrington