RAPID CITY — For the first time in co-op history, Clark/Willow Lake will hang a state volleyball banner. 

The Cyclones weathered St. Thomas More for the Class A consolation championship on Saturday at the Summit Arena, holding off the Cavaliers in a tight four-set match. The set scores were 27-25, 26-24, 12-25 and 25-23. 

For the Cyclones (27-2), the consolation championship capped off the best season in co-op history. 

“It definitely was a big goal of ours to make it to state and get a banner on the wall because we don’t have one in Willow Lake or Clark gym,” CWL senior setter Zoe Nichols said. “It feels amazing. It feels like Christmas morning.”

Entering the season, CWL coach Betty McGraw was confident in the Cyclones’ chances to make state. The consolation championship only solidified the belief in the team’s capabilities. 

“It feels great,” McGraw said. “We are definitely excited for the win and to come back as consolation champs.”

The Cyclones and the Cavaliers (31-10) played a seesaw first two sets. In the first set, the teams exchanged the lead twice and were tied seven times. Clark/Willow Lake held a few three-point leads, including a 24-21 advantage. The Cavaliers evened the score at 24-24 and 25-25. But the Cyclones scored the final two points for a 1-0 match advantage. 

In the second set, the Cyclones stormed out to a 19-12 advantage. But the Cavaliers surged back for a 24-23 advantage. Clark/Willow Lake, however, scored the final three points for the 2-0 match lead. 

“It was a good match,” Nichols said. “They played us really well. It was definitely really fun. I think we didn't expect that back and forth play, but it was a really great match.” 

In the third set, the Cavaliers bolted out to a 18-6 lead en route to slicing into the deficit. Despite the double-digit loss in the third set, McGraw never felt any panic from the Cyclones. 

“We stayed very even kneeled,” McGraw said. “We didn’t go too high. We didn’t go low. We obviously gave up a set. So that wasn't ideal, but we came back from it and that’s what is important.”

In the fourth set, the teams traded point-for-point and STM evened the score at 23-23. After a CWL timeout, Shelby Begeman hammered the last two kills for the win. 

STM’s Leighton Scherr finished with 19 kills, four digs and two blocks. Enna Henry dished out 44 assists and added 10 digs. Kaitlin Strain recorded 23 digs. Madison Boyum recorded five blocks.

Begeman, a 6-foot freshman hitter, finished with 19 kills and three blocks. Kelsey Hofer added 12 kills and 18 digs. Kadee Frankfurth totaled 21 digs. Nichols dished out 37 assists and added 12 digs. 

Nichols and Zoey Helkenn were the lone two seniors for the Cyclones. 

“They do a lot for our team,” McGraw said. “They’re great leaders and they’re really good energy on the court. So we will definitely miss them.” 

But the future is bright for the Cyclones, whose roster includes two juniors, eight sophomores and three freshmen.  

“They’re going to excel,” Nichols said about CWL’s future. “All these young girls are coming up so fast, especially our middle, Shelby Begeman, a freshman. She is going to be stellar when she gets older.” 

“We are excited,” McGraw added. “I think we have a lot of years of success and really good leadership and then the team chemistry is just getting better and better and better.”