RAPID CITY — Hamlin is in the Class A state semifinals.

The No. 5 Chargers pulled away from an early deficit to defeat Region 2A foe and No. 4 seeded Clark/Willow Lake in four sets, advancing to the Class A state semifinals Friday night. The set scores were 23-25, 25-19, 25-12 and 25-21 at the Summit Arena at the Monument. 

“It was great,” said Hamlin head coach Ashley Heinrich. “We knew that Clark/Willow Lake was going to show up and be competitive with us. It’s a region opponent, a conference opponent so anytime we can come out on top in a game like that, at the state tournament, it’s even more sweet.”

Thursday’s quarterfinal featured a Lake Central Conference rematch from the regular season finale, a Hamlin sweep over the Cyclones, handing them its first loss of the season.

But the sequel started in favor of the Cyclones, taking a 17-16 lead in set one after facing a 10-3 deficit.

“It’s a state tournament, so you know everybody is going to bring their best,” said Heinrich. “They definitely did some scouting and they did a great job at keeping us on our heels for the most part.”

The Cyclones worked around the Charger block with tips over the net, causing fits for the Hamlin backrow. The late adjustment by the Chargers was enough for the Cyclones to take a 24-21 lead, with a service error clinching the opening frame in favor of CWL.

“We didn’t adjust as quickly as I would’ve liked us to and they’ve got some length to them so clearly they were using that to their advantage as well,” said Heinrich.

That momentum carried into set two with CWL taking a 6-1 lead, but the Chargers offense led by junior setter Issie Steffensen started to find a groove.

“I think we just played really good and we stayed composed and controlled,” Steffensen said. “We just played our game and when we stayed in tempo, they couldn’t keep up.”

Steffensen added postgame the Chargers had a bit of nerves in the first set which led to the early deficit.

“We were a little bit more in system and just able to play our game,” said Steffensen after the first set. “We weren’t as nervous and were able to stay under control.”

Down 6-1, Hamlin went on a 21-7 run to take set two in dominating fashion. That trend continued in the third set, breaking away from a 9-9 tie to win set three 25-12.

“We’re just gritty and they figure out how to play with competitors,” said Heinrich. “Most of these girls have been here before, whether it’s state volleyball, state basketball. I’ve got a couple girls that have played club for me and they’ve been to nationals. We have a lot of experience competing at this level.”

In the fourth, Hamlin gained a 17-11 advantage, closing out the final set on a CWL error to secure the win.

The Charger offense was paced by Steffensen, who dished out 40 assists with 15 digs and four kills as well.

“Every coach would tell you your setter is your quarterback and she did such a great job at just knowing which hitter to go to,” said Heinrich of Steffensen. “We’re very terminal on our pins, we have great Addie’s on both pins, and she just did such a great job at who to go to and when to go to them. We really like to run a quick tempo offense and I thought she did a great job at keeping us in that rhythm.”

Addie Neuendorf collected 16 digs and 12 kills, Addelyn Jensen had 15 kills, five digs and three blocks, Jade Thue added 11 kills and two digs. Jayci Trowbridge had 18 digs while Paige Stormo netted 12 digs in the win as well.

For CWL, Shelby Begeman tallied 14 kills, 11 digs and four blocks, Ella Sass had 11 kills, four digs and five blocks, Zoe Nichols dished out 20 assists while Kelsey Hofer had 21 digs and nine kills in the loss. The Cyclones will take on No. 8 Wagner Friday 11 a.m., MT.

Hamlin will take on No. 1 Dakota Valley Friday night at 5 p.m., MT.

“It’s going to be a battle,” Heinrich said. “We came here to win, I feel like every state tournament that’s everybody’s goal. We’re going to give them a challenge, and hopefully, we’re seeing ourselves in the state championship.”