Adam Papin/MDN Velva’s Anya Olson returns a block during the Aggies matchup with the Des Lacs-Burlington Lakers during the opening round of the Region 6 volleyball tournament on Monday.

Some of the top volleyball teams in the region still have a chance to compete at state next week, while some saw their seasons come to end at the Region 6 volleyball tournament, currently underway at the Minot Auditorium.

Only one lower seed advanced out of the first round, as Des Lacs-Burlington, the No. 3 seed out of District 12 swept District 11, No. 2 Velva, 25-22, 25-13, 25-21.

The Lakers were led offensively by Shay Holen’s 13 kills while Ava Brown added eight and Logen Ystaas had 7. Kaylee Werner recorded 16 assists to go along with Paige Berard’s 15. Holen added two aces while Cambrey Benno and Ava Feist each had one. Brown, Ystaas and Berard contributed a block apiece, and Berard led the squad with 16 digs. Holen had 15 and Benno recorded 14.

Anya Olson led Velva with ten kills, while Stella Campbell had eight, Hailee Kramme six and Makena Panchot five. Taryn Braaten set up the Aggies offense with 22 assists, while Lauryn Chadwick recorded three. Chadwick had two aces on the evening, and Braaten and Olson each had one. Kramme blocked twice. Campbell and Olson each had one. Velva got 23 digs from Kaylee Tomilson. Chadwick had twelve, and Keely Cadwell and Braaten each had six.

With the win, Des Lacs-Burlington advances to take on the defending Region 6 champions Our Redeemer’s Christian School in the second semifinal.

The Knights defeated Newburg-Westhope in 25-13, 25-14, 25-21.

Leah Lidquist and Maya Vibeto led ORCS with 14 kills each. Mikayla Altringer had ten and Tavia Carlson had 5. Allison Francis recorded 31 assists in setting up the Knights’ offense. Giovanna Zettell and Ashley Tabarez led Newburg-Westhope with six and five kills respectively. Tabarez led the Eagles’ defensive effort with 16 digs.

The first match of the day was arguably the most competitive one as the Bishop Ryan Lions pushed the Bottineau Stars to five sets before falling, 25-14, 19-25, 19-25, 25-17, 15-9. Alenna Johannsen led the Lions with 17 kills and Tochi Udekwe had 11. Cambrie Johannes had 17 assists. T. Udekwe recorded 16. Tyanna Weeks closed out her storied career with 38 digs to lead the Lions defensive efforts. Johannsen had 21, while T. Udekwe had 19 and Oliva Demars 14.

Kylie Simpson led the Stars offense with 21 kills. Halle Gullet had 24 assists to pace the squad and Morgan Schweitzer led the team with 26 digs, with Simpson and Kyra Beckman close behind with 24 and 22 respectively.

Bottineau advances to face off with the South Prairie-Max Royals, who won their opening round match over Towner-Granville-Upham (TGU), 25-19, 25-19, 25-14.

Azijah Trader and Brenna Eberle led the Royals offense, Trader with 17 kills and Eberle with 31 assists. Amy Mikkelson and Taya Bearman each had 14 digs for the Royals.

Addison Neshem led the TGU Titans with 10 kills, three aces and 10 digs. Sydney Schock recorded 21 assists to lead the team.

Bottineau and South Prairie-Max will face off in the first semifinal at 6 p.m. ORCS and Des Lacs-Burlington follow 25 minutes after the first match ends. All matches are played at the Minot Auditorium.