Linton-HMB falls in state semifinals

MINOT — When the Linton-Hazelton-Moffit-Braddock volleyball team did find ways to slow Kindred standout Kellie Schmit at the net, she went to another option.

Schmitt added seven aces to her match-high 18 kills as the Vikings rolled past Linton-HMB 25-13, 25-23, 25-15 and into the Class B state championship match Friday at the Minot State University Dome.

Kindred meets Langdon at approximately 8 tonight, while the Lions face Park River-Fordville-Lankin for third place at 2 p.m.

It was another strong night for Schmit, a University of North Dakota commit, who had 22 kills and 11 aces in a sweep of Flasher on Thursday.

“She’s the real deal,” Linton-HMB coach Jaime Richter said. “She’s a phenomenal player. There’s a reason she’s signed at UND. Not only is she a great hitter; she’s a great volleyball player.”

Kindred used a fast start to go up 1-0 in the match, closing out game 1 on a 9-2 run.

But the Lions showed their heart in the second game, despite a heavy dose of Schmit. She had nine kills and three aces in game 2 and the Vikings needed every bit of it.

Linton-HMB sophomore Nicole Nieuwsma delivered with eight of her team-high 14 kills, the last of which put the Lions ahead 22-20. However, they managed just one more point in the game on a Kindred net violation. The Vikings used a pair of Alex Erickson kills to go ahead 24-23, getting the clincher from Laura Podolak. Erickson finished with 11 kills.

“I knew the girls were fighting pretty hard in that set, the third set too,” Richter said. “I’m proud of them. When you get beat bad like that in the first set and then come out and go point for point, you can’t ask for much more.”

Kindred coach Brooks Dockter credited Linton-HMB for their strategy on Schmit.

“I thought (Linton-HMB) did a nice job of taking away her options (at the net),” he said. “She made up for it at the service line. ... Either way, she’s a leader on the court.”

Much like it did the first day, Kindred controlled the third game en route to another sweep. Kindred hasn’t given up a game to an opponent since being swept by Central Cass in the District 2 championship match.

Kindred 3, Linton-Hazelton-Moffit-Braddock 0

Kindred 25 25 25

Linton-HMB 13 23 15

Kindred — Kills, Kellie Schmit 18, Alexandra Erickson 11, Laura Podolak 6. Assists, Casey Allmaras 35. Aces, Schmit 7. Digs, Schmit 8, Casey 7, Allmaras 7.

Linton-HMB — Kills, Nicole Nieuwsma 14, Jadyn Gefroh 3, McKenna Flyberg 3, Paulina Haak 3. Assists, Tiffaney Gerving 23. Blocks, Kaidra Larson 1, Taylor Beck 1. Digs, Flyberg 8, Jessica Schlosser 7, Gerving 5, Gefroh 3, Larson 3, Nieuwsma 3, Kayla Jacob 2, Haak 2.

Sun sportswriter Chris Aarhus can be reached at (701) 952-8462 or by email at caarhus@jamestownsun.com

Tags: class b, sports, volleyball