The Stanton Mustangs are 2-2 in their last four matches, defeating Tekamah-Herman and Oakland-Craig 2-0 at the Oakland-Craig Triangular last Tuesday before falling 3-0 at Wayne last Thursday.
Stanton lost 3-1 at Howells-Dodge Tuesday night.
The Mustangs beat the Knights 25-15 in set one, and 25-16 in set two.
Bree Burwhistle totaled 10 kills and 17 set assists while Jessie Brandl notched 8 kills. MacKenzie Brandl posted 8 digs while Makenna Espinoza notched 11 set assists.
Stanton downed the Tigers 25-13 in the first set, and 29-27 in the second set.
Burtwhistle registered 11 kills and 14 set assists while Jessie Brandl recorded 8 kills and 8 digs. MacKenzie Brandl posted 8 digs. Espinoza added 10 set assists.
The Blue Devils downed the Mustangs 26-24 in the first set, 25-22 in the second set, and 25-21 in the third set.
Burtwhistle contributed 13 kills, 20 digs, and 18 set assists while Ashley Cowell totaled 8 kills. Allie Spence chipped in 7 kills while MacKenzie Brandl notched 35 digs. Espinoza had 15 digs and 12 set assists while Katie Brandl chipped in 8 digs.
Howells-Dodge defeated the Mustangs 25-19 in set one, 25-18 in set two, and 25-21 in set four. Stanton took set three 25-20.
Burtwhistle led the way with 18 kills, 18 digs, and 21 set assists. Hannah Heppner had 12 kills while MacKenzie Brandl posted 24 digs. Katie Brandl and Kiley Wiedeman totaled 13 and 10 digs, respectively, while Espinoza dished out 19 set assists.
This is a much different team without Jessie Brandl. Other players have done a nice job stepping up in her absence, but the Mustangs need her back as soon as possible.
Stanton (17-4) takes on West Point-Beemer (8-8) and Scribner-Snyder (6-11) in a Triangular on Tuesday.
The Cadets swept Madison 3-0 at home Thursday night while the Trojans lost 3-1 at home to Mead, also on Thursday night.
Things could be mighty interesting if Jessie Brandl still isn't back by Tuesday.
If I'm the Mustangs I'm more worried about West Point-Beemer than I am Scribner-Snyder purely based on the fact the Cadets are a C-1 school and the Trojans are D-2, but neither team can be underestimated if Brandl is still out.
Stanton needs to have other girls step up like they have so far in Brandl's absence, but the Mustangs need to get enough production from all to win.
If you look at stats, Stanton looks like they're doing enough to win, but yet they aren't.
The Mustangs have to dig deep and find some answers for their last two losses.
Stanton is definitely capable of winning without Brandl, they just need to figure out a winning formula without her.
Someone needs to step up and be a leader for the Mustangs. Someone needs to take control and be vocal.
Stanton really needs Brandl back in a big way, there's just no telling how long it's going to be before she's back.
The Mustangs need to figure out a way to win without her with the East Husker Conference Tournament coming up next week.
Next week is a big week for Stanton whether they have Brandl or not. The Mustangs need to step up and play well, and bring their best to be successful.
Wayne and Howells-Dodge are two very good teams, but I feel Stanton would of been much more competitive against both if Brandl had played.
I'm not saying the Mustangs would have won either match, but I think things would have been different.
With that said, now is not the time to panic if you are Stanton.
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