Watertown High School’s volleyball program started the 2026 season on a strong note, with the team winning its first two matches under new head coach Havyn Heinz. The Arrows defeated Sioux Falls Roosevelt 3-1 on Tuesday, August 25, followed by a 3-1 victory over Sioux Falls Jefferson on Thursday, August 27, at home. The win over Jefferson proved particularly significant, as both teams had received votes in the Class AA preseason rankings.
Against Jefferson, Watertown controlled play throughout most of the match but struggled with focus in the third set, allowing the Cavaliers to seize an early lead. Heinz emphasized the importance of adjusting their approach, encouraging her team to relax and trust one another. The Arrows responded with an 8-2 run to open the fourth set and ultimately secured the victory. Multiple players contributed key performances, with Torrence Tipton recording 11 kills and Reese Munger adding eight kills and contributing on defense with block assists.
In the earlier matchup against Roosevelt, Tipton and Carighan Klatt led the offensive charge with 17 and 18 kills respectively. Setter Jaelyn Kettwig orchestrated the attack with 50 assists, while defensive specialists Andi Olson and Hensley Hogue recorded 21 and 17 digs respectively. The balanced effort demonstrated the team’s overall depth.
Looking ahead, Watertown will compete in the Huron Invitational on August 29, facing both Class AA opponents and ranked Class B programs before returning home to host Marshall on September 1 and Brookings on September 3.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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