Stanton advances to state for second straight year

The Stanton Mustangs are back at the state tournament as they defeated Nebraska Christian 3-1 in the C2-3 District Final at David City Aquinas on Saturday.

Stanton took set one 25-22 before the Eagles claimed set two 25-17. The Mustangs won set three 25-10, and set four 25-11.

Bree Burtwhistle and Jessie Brandl registered 13 kills apiece while Hannah Heppner totaled 10. MacKenzie Brandl recorded 37 digs while Jessie Brandl notched 18. Burtwhistle contributed 10 digs and 25 set assists while Katie Brandl and Makenna Espinoza compiled 8 digs and 15 set assists, respectively.

What a great match Stanton played. It has to be a great feeling and accomplishment for this program to get back to state.

The Mustangs (28-6) square off with Centura (20-10) in the first round of the State Tournament on Thursday at Lincoln Southwest.

The Centurions beat Hemingford 3-1 in the C2-7 District Final at Paxton on Saturday.

I like Stanton's chances of winning Thursday night.

The Mustangs have played a tough schedule, and are battle tested.

I feel like this is a pretty favorable matchup for Stanton.

The Mustangs still have to go out there and do the work, but if Stanton plays up to their capability, they should be able to advance to Friday.

Centura is led by Emily Krolikowski, who has 344 kills on the season. Brooklyn Hostetler has 205.

Those two players appear to be the Centurions' biggest hitters, but I think Stanton is capable of slowing down and/or limiting both of them.

I look for Jessie Brandl, Burtwhistle, Heppner, MacKenzie Brandl, and Espinoza to have solid matches for Stanton.

I feel the Mustangs have too many weapons for the Centurions to handle.

I look for Stanton to win something like 3-1, much like the Nebraska Christian match.

The semifinals appear like they would be difficult for either team with the winner getting either Crofton or Hastings St. Cecilia.

But the Mustangs should just worry about getting there first. Stanton's focus has to be on Centura, and Centura only.

If the Mustangs beat the Centurions then they can focus on making it back to the state championship.

The biggest thing for Stanton is to take things one point, one set, and one match at a time, and not get too ahead of themselves.

While having dreams of making it back to the state championship is good, simply playing the match and relishing the state atmosphere is what the Mustangs have to do to be successful on Thursday, in my opinion.

First serve is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.