GROTON – While Aberdeen Roncalli dominated the fifth set, it was work done at the end of the fourth that paved the path to victory Thursday night.

Despite losing the fourth set, the Cavaliers gained momentum that helped propel them to a 17-25, 25-23, 25-18, 22-25, 15-7 win over Milbank in Region 1A volleyball action.

“I feel like we carried all that momentum over from our fourth set into our fifth set,” said Roncalli coach Leesa Ware, “and the girls just came out blazing and guns on fire, and they did awesome.”

The Cavaliers trailed 24-16 near the end of the fourth, before they scored six unanswered points to make things interesting. While Roncalli lost the set, the surge was building heading into the fifth.

“We had that momentum coming from the fourth set after our big run,” said Roncalli’s Rylee Voeller, “and I think that really pushed us into the fifth set.”

Once there, Maddie Huber, who had just served during Roncalli’s flurry in the fourth, opened with four straight points to start the fifth and the Bulldogs never recovered.

“We always know that fifth set you have to come out strong,” said Milbank coach Nancy Hoeke, “and that number four (Huber) is a tough, tough server.”

The match played out much differently than Roncalli’s sweep over the Bulldogs late in the regular season, which Milbank was close in two of the sets, but unable to get over the top.

Milbank senior Claire Snaza said Tuesday’s win over Sisseton gave the team a jolt of confidence heading into the rematch against the Cavaliers.

“I think on Tuesday, it gave us a lot of confidence, switching up our defense. We knew we had it in us,” Snaza said. “And we knew that from the last game (against Roncalli) we were so close, we could do it this time.”

Snaza did her part to keep the Bulldogs in contention in the rematch.

“She’s a very, very good player. That was kind of our game plan was to follow her blocking and just try to stop her as much as we possible could,” Ware said, “and I feel like whatever we did, we definitely did not shut her down tonight.”

However, Milbank also had a tough time containing the Roncalli offense. Ava Hanson led the Cavaliers with 23 kills, but had plenty of help on the evening.

Voeller contributed 10 kills and 21 digs.

“Rylee did great,” Ware said. “Whether it be in the front row, the back row, I thought Rylee did awesome tonight. She was all over the place.”

The Cavaliers also received a boost from Gabby Thomas, who delivered timely hits when Roncalli needed them.

“The videos I watched, all she does was tip over the middle,” Hoeke said, “and tonight she didn’t tip any. She smoked the heck out the ball.”

While Snaza collected four blocks during the match, the Cavaliers were able to keep her off balance.

“They did a good job of trying to trick me and run different routes,” Snaza said.

It was the final match for the standout senior.

“I think it was good way to go out,” Snaza said. “It was our whole effort.”

In the end, the Cavaliers overcame a rough start and played as a unit to fuel the victory.

“I think we came together more as a team. The first set we were not playing together,” Voeller said. “We were all playing a single game, so we just needed to come together and play as six people on the court together. I think that really helped us through.”

It was the last match for six Milbank seniors, who gave it their best shot in their biggest match of the year.

“The girls were really determined,” Hoeke said, “and I thought they executed the game plan pretty well.”

Roncalli, 16-8, will face Dell Rapids in the SoDak 16 on Tuesday.

Voeller said the Cavaliers can’t afford to have another slow start.

“We need to come out strong from the beginning,” Voeller said. “We can’t dig ourselves in a hole. We need to play together from the start and come out strong.”

Serving: Milbank 5 aces (Addisyn Krause 3, Avery Schuneman 2); Aberdeen Roncalli 96-107 9 aces (Maddie Huber 23-27 3 aces, McKenna O’Keefe 20-21 3 aces).

Hitting: Milbank 41 kills (Isabella Anderson 13, Claire Snaza 9, Siera Wenzl 9, Schuneman 9); Aberdeen Roncalli 181-214 55 kills (Ava Hanson 42-46 21 kills, O’Keefe 48-57 12 kills, Rylee Voeller 33-41 10 kills).

Setting: Milbank 40 assists (Rylee Scoular 24, Krause 14); Aberdeen Roncalli 190-193 52 assists (Huber 163-165 51 assists).

Digs: Milbank 105 (Ella Sandvig 30, Krause 27, Wenzl 15, Scoular 14); Aberdeen Roncalli 106 (Hanson 23, Voeller 21, Huber 19).

Blocks: Milbank 7 solo 4 assists (Snaza 4 solo, Anderson 2 solo 3 assists, Kenzie Kooima 1 solo 2 assists); Aberdeen Roncalli 2 solo 4 assists (Hanson 1 solo 1 assist, Gabby Thomas 1 solo 1 assist).

Records: Milbank 14-16; Aberdeen Roncalli 16-8.