Tenley Buddenhagen trying to end her senior season with Huron on a high note
HURON, S.D. (BVM) — On Sept. 24, Tenley Buddenhagen passed a career milestone in the middle of an intense game against Harrisburg.
Right before the third set began, Buddenhagen’s mother and coach, Shelly, told her she had passed 2,000 career assists.
“Last year at the end of my junior year, I passed 1,500 so I knew I was close, but I had no idea it would be during that game,” Tenley said.
She and the rest of the Huron High School volleyball team tend to not focus on personal statistics. Tenley didn’t know she was that close going into the game against Harrisburg and her mother made sure not to tell her.
“It was kind of cool to keep that as a surprise,” Shelly said.
The Tigers went on to beat Harrisburg in four sets to add another victory to what’s been a successful season which they hope ends with another run to state. Huron made it to the SDHSAA Class AA state semifinal last year before losing to O’Gorman. The Tigers beat SF Washington in the third place match, but they’re still hungry for a championship.
That desire only intensified as COVID-19 caused the cancellation of club season and put the high school season in jeopardy. Once the Tigers knew they would be having a season, they had some catching up to do.
“We kind of set the tone in the gym to work harder,” Tenley said. “We always have the mentality that we work hard and the hard work will pay off.”
It has paid off so far for the Tigers, who are ranked fourth in the state with nine matches left in the season. Tenley is a big part of that. She and the other seniors have stepped up to take on more leadership responsibilities, making sure everyone is following COVID-19 regulations. They understand how special this season is and know that one positive test could have it all come to an end.
Tenley’s play and mentality have also helped the team. With her mother as the head coach, her sister, TyAnn, an assistant coach and her dad as her basketball coach, she has been held to a higher standard. It’s one that she also holds herself to and takes pride in living up to. In turn, holds her teammates to higher standards
Tenley also embodies the Tigers’ spirit as an undersized team this year.
“I can’t control my height but I can control what I can control,” Buddenhagen said.
Like Tenley, Huron has to work harder to make up for its lack of height.
“We just have to be the tougher team either way,” Tenley said.
Tenley is being looked at by college coaches and will likely continue her volleyball career after high school.
“I’m a shorter, kind of an undersized setter, so I never really thought I would be getting looked at the way that I am,” Tenley said. “I never really thought I would get the opportunity to play college volleyball.”
For Tenley, it’s a dream come true. But for now, her main priority is leading the Tigers to a state championship once the tournament starts Nov. 19.
