The De Smet Jesuit volleyball team. (Photo provided)
The De Smet Jesuit volleyball team had to come from behind to claim the Parkway Central Classic championship.
The Spartans defeated Lindbergh 19-25, 25-19, 25-22, 2-1. It was the second time in the last three years the Spartans have won the prestigious tournament.
“The Lindbergh match was the one that I wanted when the schedule came out,” De Smet coach Tim Haffner said. “They are having a great season. I knew we didn’t have them on our schedule, and this would be the only chance to see them head-to-head before the playoffs. It was a tightly-contested match. They are really good all around with two great setters and a lot of attacking options.
“I thought my guys made some good adjustments after dropping the first set. Then Lindbergh came right back and did the same thing after they dropped the second set. Both teams reacted well and changed to take away what they could. The third set went back and forth. It could have gone either way.”
Senior Riley Massey, who will play basketball at North Dakota State, was named the tournament’s MVP. (Photo provided)
The annual tournament is more than 31 years old and draws a solid field of teams.
“I felt like there were eight teams that could have been competing in the Gold bracket on the second day of the tournament,” Haffner said. “And with high school sports, anyone can be beat on any given day. You have to show up ready to fight.”
De Smet swept Webster Groves and Parkway South in Pool C play. In the Gold Challenge game, the Spartans swept Fort Zumwalt West.
In the semifinal match, De Smet swept St. Dominic.
The Spartans then took care of business by topping Lindbergh.
“The guys were pretty pumped about winning. We are No. 1, and Lindbergh is ranked No. 2 so they knew it was a big matchup,” Haffner said. “And they knew we wouldn’t get another shot at them until playoffs potentially. It was a long day so maybe they were just excited about getting out of the gym on a Saturday.”
Senior Riley Massey, who will play basketball at North Dakota State, was named the tournament’s MVP.
“Riley is an incredible athlete. He constantly impresses me on and off the court,” Haffner said. “The other guys on the team really respect him and the leader that he is. He will also be one of the first guys on the team to tell you that it takes the entire team, and that he didn’t do it alone.
“But that is also why he deserves that recognition. He is an excellent leader. He competes hard every day. He has an impact on the games. He is not always the stat leader, but he is making those around him better. And he is always giving us a fighting chance.”
De Smet’s Cole Esparza, Ryker Whittle and Rory Luina were named to the All-Tournament Team. Whittle had seven aces and 96 assists over the five matches. Esparza recorded six aces and 49 kills. Luina had 52 receptions with three errors and 67 digs.
“Evan Strahlendorf also played great all weekend with five aces and 30 kills,” Haffner said.
