RAPID CITY - In an epic cross-town matchup overflowing with emotion on both sides, Rapid City Stevens rallied to escape with a 3-2 girls volleyball triumph over Rapid City Central pm Thursday night at Central's Howard Naasz Gymnasium.

Central claimed the first two games 25-22, 25-21, with Stevens bouncing back with three straight, 25-21, 25-22, 15-13.

Kelly Herrmann led the way for Stevens with 18 kills. In the decisive fifth game, the 6-foot senior shrugged off consecutive attacks that went long or found the net to score two of Stevens next three points to get the Raiders to match point.

The Raiders' comeback was complete when Andrea Johnson's attack went long for the Cobblers.

Kacey Herrmann and Justin Blade each had eight kills. Libero Nikki Gleich had 42 digs. Blade and Kelly Herrmann each had five blocks.

Johnson and Caitlyn Templeton each finished with eight kills for the Cobblers. Courtney Carmichael added seven kills.

Templeton's total included four kills in the first game, including the game-winner.

Central won Game 2 with a final 6-2 run, including the final three on Stevens hitting errors.

"When we lost the first game, I knew we were in for a long night," said Raider coach Josh Lien.

"We had an off night," added Herrmann. "After the first two games, we just accepted that and tried to play through it, keep our emotions up, brush off our mistakes and just try to get the next point."

Games three and four were closely-fought tussles, with neither team able to hold the momentum.

"You know it's always going to be a battle when it's Stevens and Central," said Central coach Shelly Wolfe. "I think we just got worn down emotionally there at the end."

The Cobblers struggled at times with their serve, which Wolfe said was an attempt to keep the Raider defense close to the net.

"We tried to serve them short all night and then when we'd go deep the ball would go out of bounds. We've got to learn how to control that a little better. Anytime you can have their setter at the 10-foot line, that's a good thing," Wolfe said.

The Cobblers were playing in memory of Central senior Chelsea Miller, who died in a traffic accident in south Rapid City on Sunday.

Wolfe said Miller had played volleyball as a freshman and sophomore and was a cheerleader last year.

Many of the Cobbler players and fans attended Miller's funeral Thursday morning. Fans, coaches and players wore bright green T-shirts in memory of Miller.

"We knew they were either going to be really, really tough tonight or easy to beat tonight because that emotion can go either way," Lien said. "This was the best volleyball we've seen them play in a long time, and we were lucky to win it.

"It's been a hard week at school this week, and expecially today," Wolfe said. I'm so proud of the girls the way they came out and played tonight."

"What a great match, and more to come," she said.

Stevens (15-4 overall) hosts Spearfish in another GDC matchup on Oct. 9. The Cobblers (5-10) host Aberdeen Central in a non-conference meeting on Oct. 10.

Aberdeen Central and Sioux Falls Roosevelt, both undefeated, are scheduled to play in Aberdeen on Saturday.