RUGBY (NewsDakota)- With so much change going into the 2025 Carrington volleyball season, it came as no surprise that the team took a little while to get going in their opening match in Rugby.

And fortunately for the Cardinals, a little while was all it took.

Sophomore Marah Johnson had sixteen kills and Sophomore Aniston Hoornaert had twenty assists as Carrington overcame an early deficit to defeat the Rugby Panthers 3-1 (18-25, 25-20, 25-21, 25-13) at the Rugby Armory on Tuesday night in their first match under new head coach Kadyn Mehring.

Carrington (1-0) led the opening set 9-4 before a 16-3 run by the Panthers (0-1) allowed the home side to take command of the opening set in front of a boisterous opening night crowd.  In the second set, a six-point run on serve by Senior Lauren Hendrickson broke open the set as Carrington tied the match.

The third set was also back and forth until the Cardinals scored four straight points at 18-18 to take control and in set four, Carrington scored sixteen of the first nineteen points and never looked back.

Johnson added eight digs and Junior Journey Peltier added seven in a solid defensive effort for Carrington.  Alli Blessum had ten kills for Rugby.

The Cardinals open Region 2 play at home on Thursday against Hillsboro/Central Valley with coverage on KDAK The Cardinal and the KDAK The Cardinal YouTube channel beginning at approximately 6:45pm.