SPEARFISH - Spearfish earned the right to 'play on' in the tournament, sweeping Douglas 25-17, 25-21, 25-20 with a win in the District 4AA play-in game Tuesday.

The win advances the Spartans into the semifinal round of the District 4AA tourney at No. 1 seed Rapid City Stevens at 7 p.m. Thursday.

"Tonight was a team effort," said Spearfish coach Sarah Dittman. "Our middle hitters played a strong net game."

Senior middle hitters Katherine Oldenkamp and Erika Carlson had nine and eight attack kills, respectively. Junior outside hitter Sydney Tetrault chipped in five kills.

Spearfish took an 8-1 lead in Game 1 and never trailed in the opener.

The Patriots enjoyed a 14-5 lead in the second game. Spearfish knotted the game at 21-21 on a kill by Carlson. The Spartans rattled off the final four points to claim a 25-21 win.

"In Game 2, we were up, and then hit the ball in the net six times in a row," said Douglas coach Jeff Nugent. "It's pretty hard to win when you have that many unforced errors."

A kill spike by Hannah Edwards presented Douglas with a 17-15 edge in Game 3. An ace serve by Carlson gave Spearfish an 18-17 advantage.

The Patriots evened the score at 18-18. The teams traded the next two points on a tip by the Spartans' Bridget Decker and a kill by the Patriots' Jordan McCausland.

Spearfish ran off five unanswered points with three of those coming on consecutive kills by Oldenakmp and Tetrault. Tetrault's kill finished off the match and gave the Spartans their second win over the Patriots this season.

"In Game 3, they (Spartans) hit the corner, and we did not adjust." said Nugent. "We served well (44-of-49, four aces)."

Chelsea Edwards connected on 14-of-15 serves with an ace. McCausland was 11-of-11 with an ace. She contributed 10 set assists. Hannah Edwards chipped in seven attack kills and two blocks.

Douglas closed out the season at 11-20. Erica Simien, Hannah Edwards and Sheryl Gillen were the three seniors playing their final prep match for the Black Hills Conference Patriots.

"Our back row players - Kelsey Bosworth, Kellie Balding and Abby Albers - kept us in the game," said coach Dittman.

"Carlson and Oldenkamp had some tough hits in all three games."

Carlson served two aces, while Oldenkamp, Tessa Aiken and Albers added one ace apiece. Carlson collected one solo and six assisted blocks.

Decker provided two solo and two assisted blocks.

"Bridgett Decker and Tessa Aiken communicated well as our setters," said Dittman.

Spearfish, 3-18, lost both of its regular season matches against Greater Dakota Conference foe Rapid City Stevens, one loss coming in five games and the other in four games.

"I feel our kids are confident going into the match," said Dittman. "They're going in knowing they can challenge them."