Bennington’s Volleyball Season Ends in Hard-Fought District Loss to Millard North

3–4 minutes

By Marisa Dawson

Two volleyball players jumping at the net, attempting to block a ball during a match, with a crowd visible in the background.
Not on our watch! Emersyn Buechler & Paige Gargano go airborne to challenge the incoming spike.

The Bennington Badgers’ volleyball season came to a close Tuesday night with a 3-0 loss to Millard North in the Class A District A-7 semifinals at Millard North High School. The Mustangs won the sets 25-18, 25-23 and 26-24.

Bennington kept the match competitive throughout, particularly in the second and third sets, before falling short. The Badgers finished the year with a 14-19 record after competing in Class A for the first time against a challenging schedule.

A volleyball player wearing a white jersey jumps to spike the ball during a game, with teammates and spectators in the background.
A female volleyball player jumps to spike the ball during a game, with teammates and an audience visible in the background.

Senior outside hitter Quinn Sanmann (above, left) led Bennington with nine kills on 27 attempts (.259 hitting percentage) and added 11 digs. Senior Brynn Rasmussen (above, right) contributed seven kills, and sophomore Paige Gargano had five. Junior setters Berkeley Osborne and Ella Marcinek each recorded 14 assists. Osborne also paced the team with four service aces. Junior middle blocker Laila McGaugh (below, left) led the front line with two blocks as the Badgers totaled five blocks as a team. Trina Schroeder (below, right) added 10 digs and Addy Olson seven.

A volleyball player jumps to block a ball at the net during a match, while another player observes from the side.
A volleyball player in a black uniform prepares to receive a serve, with the ball in motion. Spectators are visible in the background, sitting on bleachers.

Head coach Sami Hansen pointed to serving and resilience as bright spots.

“I’m really proud of our serving tonight,” Hansen said. “We’ve been working really hard on putting more pace on the ball, just really emphasizing trying to get teams out of system. And I thought we did a really good job all three sets with that.”

Below: Addy Olson (left) & Berkeley Osborne (right) focus on delivering strong, reliable serves from behind the line.

A female volleyball player in mid-air, preparing to serve the ball during a game. She is wearing a white jersey with blue accents and black shorts, with knee pads and blue shoes. The background features a brick wall and banners from a high school gym.
A volleyball player wearing a white jersey and black shorts jumps to serve a volleyball during a match in a gymnasium.

Hansen continued, “I’m also really proud of the fight and the grit the girls show the entire time that third set. Sometimes, especially in postseason, it can be easy to go one way, but the girls fought until the very end. So I’ll always be proud of that. I’m just always proud of our team. Our bench did a great job trying to help give energy to the court, which is a big momentum shifter as well.”

A group of enthusiastic volleyball players and supporters energetically cheering from the sidelines during a game, expressing excitement and encouragement.

Looking back on the full season, Hansen highlighted the group’s growth in chemistry and consistency.

“Coming into the season, the group was very close to start, but I think that they got even closer and learned to trust each other more and more on the court and off the court,” she said. “Consistency wise, I felt like we did a great job fighting until the end as the season progressed. I’m not saying we didn’t do a great job of it early, but I thought that was something we became more consistent with at the end of the year- playing with more confidence, playing and fighting until the end.”

Hansen also reflected on the team’s biggest takeaways from competing at the Class A level after previous success in Class B.

A volleyball team huddles together for a strategy discussion on the court, with players wearing blue and white uniforms.

“I think just the way we competed in Class A,” she said. “It’s hard to go from Class B to Class A, not to mention we played with the best teams in Class B or some of the best teams in class. A memory for me is the girls bonding and just seeing them compete and taking on the challenge of our schedule because it was a tough schedule this year.”

As the season ends, Hansen hopes the players carry forward a core lesson from their time together.

“I hope they take away never giving up, fighting until the end,” she said. “I know I keep repeating that, but that is one of the biggest things we’ve talked about all season long. And it showed in that third set. Not giving up, no matter what the score shows or anything. That’s a life lesson. If someone’s hitting you while you’re down, you get back up and you keep fighting.”

A volleyball player jumps to receive a serve during a game, showcasing athleticism and focus. In the background, an engaged audience watches, while a coach gives instructions. The player wears a white jersey with blue accents and pink shoes.
A group of volleyball players celebrating together on the court, showing teamwork and excitement.
A volleyball team celebrating on the sidelines with players and fans cheering during a game.
A volleyball player jumps to spike a ball during a match, with teammates and spectators visible in the background.
A female volleyball player in mid-jump, preparing to serve a volleyball. She wears a white jersey with blue accents and black shorts, with white knee-high socks and athletic shoes. The gym has a brick wall backdrop and banners indicating Millard North High School.
A volleyball player jumping to spike the ball during a game, with teammates and a crowd in the background.
A female volleyball player jumping to serve the ball during a game, wearing a black jersey and knee pads, with spectators in the background.
A volleyball player jumps to set the ball during a match, with fans watching in the background.
A volleyball player jumping to spike the ball over the net during a match, with spectators watching in the background.
Two female volleyball players on a court, one preparing to receive the ball while the other is in a ready position, with spectators in the background.
Volleyball team celebrating with raised hands during a game.
A female volleyball player wearing a white jersey and black shorts is preparing to receive a volleyball during a match. Another player in a black jersey stands nearby, while spectators watch from the bleachers.
A group of six volleyball players in white and blue uniforms celebrating together on the court, displaying excitement and teamwork.
A group of female volleyball players celebrating a point, with raised arms and joyful expressions, on a gymnasium court.
A volleyball player jumps to spike the ball over the net during a game, with spectators in the background.
A volleyball player in a blue and white uniform is setting the ball above her head, while another player crouches nearby, ready to receive. The gym is filled with spectators and features colorful bleachers.
A volleyball player jumps to spike the ball over the net, with teammates and opponents in the background during a match.
A volleyball player in a white jersey prepares to pass the ball during a game, with a teammate nearby and spectators in the background.
A volleyball player jumps to strike the ball over the net while two opposing players attempt to block. The scene captures the energy of a high school volleyball game with spectators in the background.
A volleyball player in a black uniform prepares to receive a ball as her teammate looks on. They are on a gym court with spectators in the background.
A volleyball player in a blue and white uniform jumps to spike a volleyball during a match, with teammates in the foreground and spectators in the background.
A female volleyball player in a blue and white jersey, number 5, prepares to set the ball during a game on a wooden court.
A female volleyball player wearing a white jersey with blue accents sets the ball over the net during a game, while two teammates prepare for the play in the background.
A volleyball player jumps to serve the ball in a gymnasium while teammates prepare for the play.
Two volleyball players jump to block a ball near the net, while a referee watches from the sidelines in a gymnasium.
A volleyball player jumping to hit the ball during a match, with teammates positioned on the court and an official observing in the background.
A volleyball player in a white jersey with blue accents sets the ball above her head on a wooden court, while a teammate prepares to assist.
A volleyball player in white and blue uniform preparing to receive a serve as the ball approaches. Other players can be seen in the background on a wooden gym floor.
A volleyball player jumps to serve the ball during a game, with teammates and spectators visible in the background.
A high school volleyball match in progress, with a player jumping to spike the ball over the net, while opposing players prepare to block. Spectators are visible in the background, cheering for their teams.
Two volleyball players jumping at the net to block a shot during a match, with the net displaying 'MILLARD NORTH MUSTANGS' in the background.
A volleyball player in a white jersey with the number 14 jumps to set the ball over the net during a game, while teammates and opponents prepare to react. The audience is visible in the background.

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