RAPID CITY - Rapid City Stevens dominated all facets of their second-round game playoff game on Monday night. The Raiders never trailed in any of the three games as they advanced to the district 4AA championship game by downing the Douglas Patriots 25-7, 25-23, 25-17 at Carold Heier Gymnasium.

"This time of the year, we have to be playing well all of the time," said Raiders head coach Josh Lien.

"I thought we did that about 90 percent of the time tonight. I never took a timeout tonight because I never felt like the game was out of our hands, and that is a credit to the players."

The Raiders were especially tough at the net, using their height advantage to block the Patriots 15 times on the night which forced Douglas miscues in attack. Kelly Herrmann led the way for the Raiders offensively with 12 kills in the game, five of which came in Game 1. Becca Spangler also contributed five ace serves for Stevens.

Douglas rebounded in Game 2 behind the hitting of Christina Scheler and Kayla Miller, both of whom recorded four kills each in the second game.

After the Raiders jumped out to an early six-point advantage, the Patriots cut the lead to two points several times, and even tied the game at 21-21.

However, the Raiders never relinquished the lead and bounced back with kills from Sarah Jundt, Kacey Herrmann, and Justine Blade to close out a 25-23 win.

"We played really well in the first game," said Lien. "Not only because of the score, but because of what we accomplished. We played quick on defense and hit the ball aggressively. In Game 2, we made some changes and worked on some things that we thought could help us at the state tournament so we knew it (score) could be close."

In Game 3, Stevens came out attacking by committee. Five Raiders had at least three kills, with Jundt leading the way in the final game with four kills as the Raiders closed out the match 25-17.

"When we had those snow days for school we came in and had extra practices and I think that helped tonight," said senior Nikki Gleich.

"When you work hard it pays off. We're playing well together as a team and that is a lot of fun."

Stacie Brinker had 18 assists for Stevens and Gleich led them defensively with 21 digs.

The win by the Raiders sets up a championship game with their cross-town rivals, the Central Cobblers at Carold Heier Gymnasium tonight at 7 p.m.

"We have to play defense against the Cobblers," said Lien.

"They're hot right now, they've beaten the same teams we have. It is probably the tallest volleyball match-up in the state, so it is going to be a great offensive game. The team that plays defense will probably win the game."

Douglas travels to Sturgis to play the Scoopers in the third place game of District 4AA tonight at 7 p.m.