Turning things around: Cavaliers enjoy strong start, newfound momentum
The winds of change swept through the St. Thomas More volleyball program over the offseason.
Last year, the Cavaliers managed to put together a 15-24 overall record and a regional quarterfinal appearance. Since then, coaches had been switched out and players have grown a year older and wiser.
Under the watch of Mikayla Watson and a group of senior leaders, STM has almost reached its win total from last season, boasting a 14-8 overall record.
The Cavs started the autumn campaign with a solid 5-2 footing, only dropping to Hill City at the Comet Fall Volleyball Tournament on August 31. A trip to Wyoming for the Gillette Volleyball Tournament slowed that early momentum, and by the start of the Rapid City Volleyball Invitational, held last weekend at the Summit Arena at The Monument, STM was 9-6.
After a rough first day that saw the Cavs go 1-2, the blue and black decided that losing was no longer an option.
"Our goal was making the gold bracket," Watson said. "That didn't happen for us. Going into day two, we had the mindset and attitude of, well, if we're in the silver bracket, we better win the silver bracket."
STM went on a tear in the proverbial consolation rounds, sweeping Belle Fourche before meeting Custer for the Silver Bracket Championship. In a hard fought three-set battle, the Cavaliers eliminated the Wildcats to end their weekend on a high note.
So, what's different about this year?
According to senior Riley Gylten, it came down to a lot of offseason workouts during the warmer months of the year.
"We kind of built up trust with each other over the summer," Gylten said. "There were a lot of open gyms and a lot of constant practices. That's where our trust in one another came in, which changed things for the better."
Last Tuesday on the campus of St. Thomas More High School, STM had to face off against the Wildcats for the third time in five days.
"I was definitely wasn't expecting to play them twice in the tournament," Watson said. "I knew that we had them (on Tuesday), and it was a little nerve wracking, because it's hard to a team three times."
In that meeting with the Wildcats, the Cavs quickly gained some early momentum, gaining an early 9-3 lead. By Custer's second timeout, STM had already pushed their lead to 13 points at 16-13.
The Wildcats fought back, going on an 8-5 run to make it a respectable 21-11 advantage for STM. The Cavs went on to take a 25-17 win in the first set.
Both sides went back and forth early in the second game, before the Cavs came out with a 13-7 advantage. STM then went on a 6-2 run, prompting Custer to call timeout at 19-9.
Moments later, the white-clad Cavs picked up a 25-14 win.
The third set was another back and forth clash, where STM emerged with a narrow 12-11 lead. Custer fought back to gain a 17-15 lead, before withstanding STM to take a 19-17 advantage.
This is where the Cavs dug deep. Down 20-18, STM rallied with three straight points to regain the lead at 21-20. STM then went on to complete the sweep at 25-22.
Just like that, the Cavs had won all three of their meetings with the Wildcats.
"I told my girls that we have to play like we're playing that team that's beaten us before," Watson said. "We knew that they had to come out firing, and we did that really well."
Gylten put on the exclamation point for STM, scoring the final kill that allowed the Cavs to sweep the Wildcats.
"We were very excited," Gylten said. "It feels good to beat them three times in a row in one week. Once we had that final hit, everyone was thrilled. All of us played very important roles in that game."
Gylten recorded eight kills and seven digs for the winning cause. STM was led by sophomore Leighton Scherr, who tallied 13 kills, while teammate Kesley Benda reeled in seven kills. Sophomore Myah Eggleston totaled 14 digs, as Benda contributed with 13 digs.
To Watson, the recent success is a collective effort.
"Everyone has been impressing me," Watson said. "Coming into this season, I knew that our seniors were really, really good leaders. They've done just that. The sophomores have surprised me a lot, as far as being intentional, finding the open spots and being coachable."
"Everyone on the team has done a great job," added Watson. "But the sophomores have stuck out to me a bit more, because they are younger and they are having to play like upperclassmen, even though they aren't."
Fortunately for both squads, St. Thomas More and Custer won't meet again until Oct. 17 at the Custer Armory.
This past Thursday, the Cavaliers handled Lead-Deadwood by a 3-0 (25-18, 25-20, 25-10) on the campus of St. Thomas More High School. Compared to their familiar with the Wildcats, it was first meeting of the season between the Cavs and Golddiggers.
On tap for next week, St. Thomas More will bring in Hot Springs (4-6) for a match set for 7 p.m. next Tuesday.
Next Thursday, STM will take on Rapid City Christian (7-10) in a rematch from August 31. The Cavs and Comets will face off on the campus of Rapid City Christian at Hart Ranch.
What will it take for the Cavs to keep their momentum going? According to Watson, it's about realizing the goals that the team has set out for itself.
"We just have to remain intentional and understand the goal that we set before ourselves," Watson said. "We know what goals we have for this year, and that's to go very far in the postseason. I don't see them letting up on that goal at all. They know that in every single game, no matter who they're playing, they have to give it 110 percent on the court."
"I have high expectations for them, and they keep meeting that," Watson continued. "It's super awesome to be their coach. It's been great."
For Gylten, it's all about keeping up their solid work.
"We just need to stay consistent," Gylten said. "(Coach Watson) always tell us to have consistent passes, consistent sets, consistent hits and just keeping that connection with everyone on the team."
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