Sanford’s Nykia Ruvolo (8) extends to put one over on Sargent’s Lainie Dillon (5) during Friday’s game.

SANFORD — Friday morning Sanford played host to Sargent volleyball. The weekend heading match went four sets with Sanford taking the win 3-1. As is common in league rivalries, rankings typically go out the window. Friday was no different, despite being separated by almost thirty spaces according to the unofficial CHSAA RPI the two teams played a rather close game.
Sanford got action started right away with a block from senior Nykia Ruvolo. The scoring went back and forth in the first set all the way to a score of 7-7. From there the home team got into a rhythm picking up a 6 point rally. That is until Sargent sophomore Lexxi Aguilar dropped a spike on the back line to force a side out.
From there Sargent got on a roll taking six points of their own. It looked as though the first set might continue beyond 25 points when an error at the net gave Sanford set number one 25-22.
Sanford surged in the second set to set the widest gap of the match putting the Farmers away 25-11 to take a two set lead.
With their backs against the wall Sargent went to work keeping the third set close. Leading 19-17 the Farmers launched a smooth rally peppered by scoring from senior Lainie Dillon to add four more. A side out and a kill from Ashlyn Griffin of Sargent gave the Farmers set three 25-19.
Neither team flinched in the fourth set going back and forth. Four points from Sanford were matched by four from Sargent, on the first two volleys. Another four from the home team would be answered by a 6 from the visiting team two serves later. The chess match between Sargent’s Dillon and Sanford’s Ruvolo went back and forth.
The tied game at 23 each broke open when Sanford picked up a side out and cashed in on point 25 on the ensuing volley to win three sets to one.
Both teams will take turns meeting up with the Custer County Bobcats. Sargent will head home for their meeting with the Bobcats Oct. 11 and Sanford will travel to Custer County Oct. 12. Both matches will are scheduled to take place at 11 a.m.