RAPID CITY - Rapid City Central has come a long way over the course of the season to qualify for next week's state Class AA girls volleyball tournament, but the Cobblers will have just a short walk to get there.

The Cobblers punched their tickets for state, to be held just across the street from Central's Naasz Gymnasium at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, with a 25-21, 25-15, 25-14 Region 2AA championship win over Huron on Friday night.

Defending state Class AA champion Rapid City Stevens downed Central in a five-set thriller Tuesday night for the District 4AA title and an automatic berth in the AA tourney.

As district runner-up, Central had to contend with District 3AA third-place finisher Huron to get into the eight-team state tourney field.

"We feel like we've put in some tough work throughout the season, and that's why we get to walk across the street," said Cobbler coach Shelly Wolfe, in her first year at the helm for Central after guiding St. Thomas More's volleyball program.

"It is a long season, but it all paid off for us tonight," she said. "To play in front of our hometown crowd is an honor and a blessing."

After a closely-contested first set, the taller Cobblers took control with solid back row defense and strong play at the net to complete the three-set sweep over Huron.

Central's balanced attack was led by four hitters, each topping 6-feet tall.

Kattie Ranta and Andrea Johnson with seven kills apiece. Caitlin Templeton and Courtney Carmichael had six kills each.

"The attacks and passes were good. The hitters ran into a little block there but we picked it up. Everybody played together as a team and that's what won it for us," Johnson said.

"Our passes were absolutely awesome tonight. Jo (Weige), our libero, did so amazing tonight. She was all over the place," Johnson added.

Huron denied the Cobblers a trip to the state tournament in the Region 2AA matchup last year. Central will take a 14-16 record into their first state tournament appearance since 2006.

"It's awesome. This is the best feeling in the world. They (Huron) actually took us out last year, so revenge is sweet," said Johnson.

The Tigers, whose tallest players are 5-10 Brittany Hirschkorn and 5-11 Allyson Waldner, tried to sidestep Central's tall front line by sideline and backcourt attacks.

"They kept us guessing on defense all night long. They were getting some nicer pushes on us, and I love that, because it keeps the pace of the game really fast. We're better with that. When we stand around we get into trouble," Wolfe said.

"We have to spread the ball around when we're out-sized liked like that. We didn't do what we needed to do against their size so we got outplayed," said Huron coach Britt Samson.

Huron was led by Hirschkorn's six kills. TyAnn Buddenhagen had five kills.

Molly Reimer and Emily Carda each had two service aces. Libero Mandi Robesh led the defense with 29 digs.

"A lot of liberos won't have that many digs in five games," Samson said.

Huron finishes at 5-18. The Tigers will return all but two seniors, Carda and Waldner.

"The girls have come a long way and improved a lot since the start of the season. Most people didn't think we would make it out of districts. This team has played with so much heart," Samson said.