Volleyball dynasties are nothing new to this corner of the state. First, there was the Panther teams that made going to the state tournament almost routine over a 30-year span. Then along came Minneota, did much the same thing from 2001-2024. Today, the RTR Knights are trying to build their own dynasty.
The Knights were in town Tuesday and showed why this year could mark another step in that dynasty-building process. RTR showed o its elite power and defense in a 2512, 25-20, 25-17 win over the Panthers.
“I think this group of girls still has a lot in them that we haven’t even tapped in to,” TMB coach Heather Kamrud-Rice said. “This early in the journey, I think it’s good to understand that being intimidated by the other team only takes away from our ability to capitalize on our own talents.”
Unlike last week’s match against Windom where the Panthers started strong, TMB found itself playing from behind for the start of the first set. RTR got up 14-6 and continued to roll from there, outscoring TMB 11-6 the rest of the way.
“Playing a team like RTR this early in the season gives us a chance to really see the things that we do well, the shining moments,” Kamrud-Rice said. “But I feel like we had a few deer-in-the-headlights looks, not realizing that we could do the same.”
Set 2 was a dierent - and much better - story for the home team. This time, the Panthers didn’t allow RTR to pull away. The Panthers took their first lead of the match at 8-7 on a Melaina Ankrum kill. Later, another Ankrum kill put TMB up 15-14. However, the Knights scored 11 of the next 16 points for the set win. Even so, it was clear that if there was an intimidation factor early on, it faded as the match went on.
“Braelynn Kirk (18 digs) was doing a fantastic job of honing in and playing some great defense, and our blockers were strong,” Kamrud-Rice said. “This wasn’t the best we’ll ever play. I’m really hoping that we dedicate some time in the gym and take a step up every game.”
TMB opened Set 3 by scoring four of the first six points, but RTR's consistency at the net allowed them to not only overcome the early deficit, but open up a five-point lead at 15-10. A couple RTR miscues brought TMB to within 15-13. The Knights' lead grew to 24-15 before Ankrum had a kill and a big block to pull TMB to within seven points, but a TMB kill attempt that went long ended the match.
Ankrum and Allie Adams had eight and six
kills, respectively, for the Panthers. Alli Dolan had 15 set assists and a pair of kills.
The Panthers will take their 1-2 record to Marshall on Friday for the Southwest Challenge. TMB will open play against another powerhouse, Benilde-St. Margaret’s, last year's Class AAA state runner-up.
RTR 25 25 25 TMB 12 20 17 Kills: Ankrum 8, Adams 6, Knott 3, Dolan 2, Lanoue 2, Martinez. Set assists: Dolan 15, Ankrum 4, Kirk. Digs: Kirk 18, Adams 6, Knakmuhs 5, Ankrum 5, Knott 3, Martinez 2, Dolan 2, Danielson. Blocks: Ankrum 3, Adams. Serve %: 88.2%. Service aces:
Adams, Danielson.
MELAINA ANKRUM passes to a teammate to set up the TMB offense against RTR on Tuesday.
ALLIE ADAMS receives a serve for the Panthers during Tuesday's match against Russell-Tyler-Ruthton. Photos / Per Peterson
