M-P/B rallies past Hankinson for regional championship

John M. Steiner / The Jamestown Sun By Paul Garcia II Today at 10:48 PM Listen Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? JAMESTOWN — With the Region 1B championship hanging in the balance, the Medina-Pingree/Buchanan Thunder needed two more points to complete a comeback that had nearly slipped away. After trailing by six points in the second set, the Thunder rallied to take a 21-19 lead over Hankinson before the Pirates fought back. The teams traded points until the score was tied 25-25. ADVERTISEMENT Freshman Ilaina Schmidt delivered a kill to give M-P/B set point. With Schmidt serving, the Thunder finished the comeback with a block to claim a 27-25 victory and even the match at one set apiece. The Thunder never trailed in the next two sets, defeating Hankinson 17-25, 27-25, 25-15, 25-20 on Thursday, Nov. 12, to capture the Region 1B championship and advance to the state tournament. M-P/B head coach Jacie Connell said her team has spent the season learning how to respond when things aren't going their way. "We've been working on that all year long," Connell said. "Like, when we get down on the score, we just got to stay positive, stay upbeat, bring the energy, and there's so much game left is what I always tell them. Anything can happen." The championship didn't come easily for the Thunder, who struggled to find an offensive rhythm early in the match. Hankinson jumped out to a 7-2 lead in the opening set, with sophomore Lillie Grohnke recording two kills during the early run. Connell called a timeout, but the Pirates continued their momentum, stretching the lead to 14-5 and forcing another Thunder timeout. ADVERTISEMENT M-P/B finally found some offense behind senior outside hitter Jasmine Houmann. Houmann recorded six kills during an 11-5 Thunder run that trimmed the deficit to 19-16. Hankinson head coach Tera Paulson called a timeout to regroup, and the Pirates answered by scoring six of the final seven points to take the opening set 25-17. The Thunder came out stronger in the second set, jumping ahead 3-0 before Hankinson battled back. The Pirates eventually built a 17-11 advantage, putting M-P/B in danger of falling behind two sets to none. But the Thunder weren't finished. Behind the offensive efforts of Houmann and fellow senior outside hitter Destiny Opp, M-P/B scored eight of the next nine points to take a 19-18 lead. John M. Steiner / The Jamestown Sun The Thunder extended their advantage to 21-19, but Hankinson continued fighting and pulled ahead 23-22. ADVERTISEMENT M-P/B eventually reached set point at 24-23, but the Pirates tied the score and kept the set alive. The teams traded the next two points before Schmidt's kill and the Thunder's ensuing block completed the comeback. Connell credited her outside hitters for refusing to back down against the Pirates. "They stepped up huge for us," Connell said. "They, you know, hit spots; they stayed aggressive. I mean, we had our errors, but they stayed aggressive through it all, and I was so proud of them." With the match tied, M-P/B carried its momentum into the third set. The teams were even at 4-4 before the Thunder went on a 9-1 run to take a 13-5 advantage. Houmann and Schmidt powered the offense, while the Thunder kept pulling away behind Opp and sophomore Emmi Odenbach. ADVERTISEMENT Hankinson briefly cut the deficit to eight points, but M-P/B responded with another run to build a 22-10 lead. Houmann eventually put the finishing touches on the set with a kill, giving the Thunder a 25-15 victory and a 2-1 match lead. The Thunder scored seven of the first nine points, with Opp and Houmann contributing kills during the opening run of the fourth set. John M. Steiner / The Jamestown Sun M-P/B extended its lead to 16-9 before Hankinson mounted one final comeback attempt. The Pirates scored six consecutive points to cut the deficit to 16-15, forcing Connell to call a timeout. The Thunder responded with four straight points, including consecutive kills by Schmidt and Houmann, to regain control at 20-15. Hankinson continued battling, cutting the deficit to 23-20, but the Thunder scored the final two points. ADVERTISEMENT Opp hit the championship-clinching kill to secure the 25-20 victory. The championship also marked a milestone for senior setter Violet Bohl, who recorded her 4,000th career assist during the match. Bohl, a four-year starter, was named the Region 1 Outstanding Senior Athlete of the Year and earned All-Region honors alongside Opp. Hankinson's Hudsyn Hubrig was also named to the All-Region team. Connell said Bohl's leadership has been instrumental throughout her career. "I mean, she's a four-year starter for us. She leads the court. I don't know what we'd do without her out there," Connell said. "She knows where to put the balls to make our team successful. I mean, what an amazing career she's had. And I'm so excited I get three more games with her." The Thunder will compete in the 2026 NDHSAA Division B Volleyball State Tournament, scheduled for Nov. 19-21 at the Bismarck Event Center. Medina-Pingree/Buchanan 3, Hankinson 1 ADVERTISEMENT HAN: 25 25 15 20 — 1 M-P/B: 17 27 25 25 — 3 Highlights (unofficial stats): M-P/B — Jasmine Houmann 22 kills; Destiny Opp 15 kills; Ilaina Schmidt 8 kills; Emmi Odenbach 6 kills; Violet Bohl 4,000th career assist. Linton/HMB claims third place over Rebels in four sets John M. Steiner / The Jamestown Sun Linton/Hazelton-Moffit-Braddock held off a comeback attempt from Edgeley/Kulm/Montpelier to claim third place at the Region 1B volleyball tournament Thursday, Nov. 12. The Lions, the No. 2 seed from District 2, defeated the Rebels 25-14, 28-26, 20-25, 25-20. Linton/HMB dominated the opening set before surviving a second-set battle that went into extra points. E/K/M held a 24-23 advantage and had an opportunity to even the match, but the Lions scored back-to-back points to take a 25-24 lead. The Rebels kept fighting, but Linton/HMB eventually finished the set 28-26 to take a commanding 2-0 lead. Facing elimination in the third set, E/K/M trailed 17-12 before mounting a comeback. The Rebels outscored the Lions 13-3 down the stretch, including nine consecutive points to finish the set, earning a 25-20 victory and forcing a fourth set. E/K/M carried that momentum into the fourth, building a 17-14 advantage as the Rebels looked to force a decisive fifth set. But the Lions answered with an 11-3 run to close out the match, winning the final set 25-20. Linton/Hazelton-Moffit-Braddock 3, Edgeley/Kulm/Montpelier 1 E/K/M: 14 26 25 20 — 1 Linton/HMB: 25 28 20 25 — 3 Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? Tags Tags JAMESTOWN STUTSMAN COUNTY MEDINA-PINGREE/BUCHANAN THUNDER GIRLS VOLLEYBALL PREP SPORTS By Paul Garcia II Paul Garcia II is a sports reporter for The Jamestown Sun. Paul is an Air Force veteran where he was stationed at Minot Air Force Base. After finishing his contract with the Air Force, Paul obtained a bachelor's degree in Communication and Media Studies at University California of San Diego, and a Master's in Sports Journalism from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Arizona State University. Twitter Listen to this article Conversation ADVERTISEMENT What To Read Next Prep Jamestown sweeps past Minot in WDA quarterfinals 2h ago · By Katie Ringer Prep Third straight Dakota Bowl showdown awaits Loboes, Rockets 1d ago · By Paul Garcia II Prep Region 1 volleyball tournament to conclude Thursday 1d ago · By Katie Ringer ADVERTISEMENT Get Local Must Re