BROOKINGS – Aberdeen Central was tough under fire to fuel a five-set victory over Brookings in Eastern South Dakota Conference volleyball action.

The Golden Eagles controlled the fifth and final set in a 24-26, 25-13, 25-13, 19-25, 15-9, victory Tuesday night.

“It was really nice to see the girls persevere and be strong in that fifth set,” said Central coach Jackie Bindenagel. “They played well together.”

After splitting the first four sets, the Eagles jumped out to a 6-2 lead in the fifth and eventually extended it to 13-6.

“We were up 13-6 and they got a couple of really nice kills on us, and then we just put a couple of points together,” said Bindenagel.

The five-set road win is impressive when you consider that Central has a completely new looking lineup this year with not a single player back at regular spots from a year ago.

“Not one kid on the court played in that position last year,” Bindenagel noted. “Sydney Evans has experience, but she was not the Libero. And Grace Kuch was in the middle and now she’s on the outside. Every kid that played was in a new spot or was a rookie.”

Kuch led the team with 12 kills. Abby Berry had a big night as well with seven ace serves, six kills and 14 set assists.

The Eagles finished with 15 aces a team.

“We served the ball really well. We kept them back on their heels and got some free balls coming our way,” Bindenagel said. “The girls did serve real aggressive. We focus a lot on practice on driving the ball and we did that, tonight.”

Bindenagel said going into the season that she likes the grit and determination of this year’s players and they came up big in their first test of the season.

“They’re just such a great group. I’ve said it a hundred times, but they showed it tonight,” she said. “I think they made a great first impression.”

Aberdeen Central will head west for the weekend. The Eagles play at Rapid City Central on Friday and at Rapid City Stevens on Saturday.

Aberdeen Central def. Brookings 24-26, 25-13, 25-13, 19-25, 15-9

Serving: Aberdeen Central 15 aces (Abby Berry 7, Camryn Bain 4).

Hitting: Aberdeen Central 35 kills (Grace Kuch 12, Karly Wellman 9, Berry 6, Maddi Struble 5).

Setting: Aberdeen Central 25 assists (Berry 14 assists, Ayrlie Waldo 11 assists).

Digs: Aberdeen Central 39 (Sydney Evans 15, Waldo 12).

Blocks: Aberdeen Central 2 solos, 3 assists (Kiana Mounga 2 solos).