Black Hills Completes the Huge Comeback in 5 Sets to Defeat Aberdeen

10/29/25

Black Hills 3, Aberdeen 2 (20-25, 20-25, 25-20, 26-24, 15-11)

(Tumwater, WA) A big 2A Evco showdown took place at the Wolves’ Den at Black Hills High School as the Aberdeen Bobcats went on the road to take on the Wolves. This was a consequential game, no matter who won. Black Hills was playing to maintain its number two spot in the league with a win and head into the playoffs with momentum. Aberdeen was in fifth place in the Evergreen 2A Conference, but with a win, they would make a massive jump and potentially take Black Hill’s place. The Wolves entered the game 6-8 and 4-4 in the league. Aberdeen entered the game 9-5 and 3-5 in the league. In one of the most exciting games you will see, these two teams put on a show to remember in Tumwater.

Set One

The first set was the indicator that this was going to be a tight game until the very end. Both teams made their mark with great offense and exciting defense. Chiara Capezio and Lilly Worthen got off to hot starts for the Wolves, accumulating multiple kills early in the first set. Haylee Jahner and Hadley Lowery threw their names in the hat as well and put points on the board for Aberdeen. The set was extremely close, and the lead was never more than a point until Mia Hallak came to serve for the Bobcats. Aberdeen scored two straight points to gain momentum and carried that to the end of the set. Aberdeen stayed at a 2-3 point lead, led by the offense of Madi Ritter, who had 5 points in three possessions. The Bobcats would take set one 25-20 and put the Wolves behind 1-0.

Set Two

After going down 1-0 early in the set, Black Hills went on a three point run with three straight kills from Lilly Worthen. Aberdeen tied the game right back up with a kill from Hadley Lowery. The offense for both teams was on full display as Worthen led the charge early for the Wolves, and Madi Ritter for the Bobcats. Another close set was underway as both teams developed a groove that would remain the rest of the night. Back and forth the teams went and many different players made contributions to their team. Again the set would come down to the wire but Aberdeen would end it with a two point run and win 25-20 and the 2-0 set lead.

Set Three

Aberdeen immediately came out and took a 3-0 lead but Black Hills did not fall behind. Chiara Capezio would help the Wolves bring he game within one with an ace. Capezio and Worthen continued to score for the Wolves and Ritter maintained her dominance on the front line for Aberdeen. Hadley Lowery and Madi Ritter went face to face with Lilly Worthen and Chiara Capezio as the two offensive forces for their respective teams. Yet again, the set was close the entire way. Neither team got the upper hand until Capezio would score three kills as the 25point approached. Black Hills took set three 25-20 and started their improbable comeback.

Set Four

Set four was the closest set by far which given how the rest of the game unfolded is surprising. Aberdeen took an ealrly lead but the Wolves clawed right back into it. Capezio and Worthen both had kills as well as blocks that held Aberdeen at bay. Mackenzie Pate also came alive this set with two kills of her own. This set was the one where defense showed the most. It had been amazing all night but it was on another level this time. Labero’s for both teams, Piper Manning for the Wolves and Sophia Knutson for the Bobcats, were everywhere. Wherever the ball was they made sure they got a piece of it. Making divind plays and putting their bodies on the line to keep plays alive. They led the defense but the same can be said for all the players on both teams. As the set was coming to a close both teams stayed within a couple of points of each other. Black Hills’ Tyler Venable and Aberdeen’s Madi Ritter exchanged kills back and forth that gave their teams more and more energy. Capezio though came in clutch again and scored four kills at the end of the set to win by two. Black Hills tied Aberdeen 2-2 in sets and won set four 26-24.

Set Five

It all came down to a winner take all set five to decide the winner of this intense and wild matchup. Momentum was completely on the side of the Wolves and their home crowd fed energy into the team. Capezio immediately scored a kill followed by Lilly Worthen. Black Hills would find themselves trailing by three after a three point swing from Aberdeen and an ace from Daniela Alavez-Oropeza. The Wolves backs were against the wall. A few possessions later, Lilly Worthen scored two aces and helped Black Hills take the lead. The energy was high and Black Hills could feel something big coming. Tyler Venable came to the serving line and helped rally off four straight points. Venable only needed one point to win the game and did just that. She served a great ball that no one could get to for the ace and the win. Black Hills won set five 15-11 and completed the amazing comeback, winning 3-2.

MVP and Stats

Our Thorbecks MVP of the game went to Chiara Capezio. Her offense was completely dominant all game and not only did she lead the charge, she came through with all the clutch moments for the Wolves. She ended with 17 points to her name with most of them being kills. In the most important moments, she came through in a big way. Other notable names for the Wolves are Piper Manning, Lilly Worthen, and Tyler Venable. Manning’s defense was superb all night and it seemed like nothing could get past her. She was a massive contributor in this win for Black Hills. Lilly Worthen was right there with Capezio in her offensive brilliance. She tallied 20 kills on the night with multiple blocks as well. Tyler Venable had multiple kills on the night and won the game with an ace to put the dagger into Aberdeen.

Aberdeen had an amazing night both on offense and defense and a lot of players stood out. Sophia Knutson led the defense for the Bobcats and was stellar in every set as well as two aces. Madi Ritter had 17 kills on the day and Hadley Lowery had 7 kills. Mia Hallak had an amazing game on defense and had an ace as well

Black Hills will be on the road to face WF West in their final regular season game tonight (Oct. 29th) with a 7:00pm start time. Aberdeen faces Tumwater on the road tinight (Oct. 29th) with a 7:00pm start time.

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