Stanton takes 3rd at State

The Stanton Volleyball Team took 3rd at this past weekend's State Tournament, beating Fremont Bergan 3-1 in the 1st round at Lincoln Southwest on Thursday, and losing 3-1 to Hartington Cedar Catholic in the Semifinals at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Friday, before sweeping Nebraska Christian 3-0 in the 3rd place match at Lincoln Southeast on Saturday.

The Knights won set one 25-21 before the Mustangs took set two 25-17, set three 25-15, and set four 25-22.

Jessie Brandl finished with 22 kills and 24 digs while Bree Burtwhistle registered 17 kills, 22 digs, and 29 set assists. Hannah Heppner added 14 kills while Jaiden Hartl posted 18 digs. Makenna Espinoza totaled 14 digs and 21 set assists.

The Trojans won set one 25-22 and set two 25-18 before Stanton took set three 25-22. Hartington Cedar Catholic claimed set four 25-18.

Brandl had 21 kills and 18 digs while Burtwhistle notched 17 kills, 17 digs, and 22 set assists. Reba Waskowiak added 7 blocks while Hartl tallied 23 digs. Espinoza recorded 23 set assists.

The Mustangs downed the Eagles 26-24 in the 1st set, 25-20 in the 2nd set, and 25-12 in the 3rd set.

Heppner had 15 kills while Waskowiak registered 9 blocks. Brandl posted 11 kills and 14 digs while Burtwhistle notched 9 kills, 14 digs, and 25 set assists. Hartl added 14 digs while Espinoza chipped in 17 set assists.

Great season for Stanton. The Mustangs didn't win state this year, but 3rd place is knocking on the door.

Stanton ends the year at 31-4.

The Mustangs had really good wins over Clarkson/Leigh (twice), Pierce, Ord, West Point-Beemer (3 times), Wisner-Pilger (twice), North Bend Central, Wayne, Tekamah-Herman, Lutheran High Northeast (twice), and Thayer Central.

Brandl led the team in kills on the season with 360 while Burtwhisle had 325.

Liz Christensen led the way with 72 aces on the season while Heppner had a team-high 77 blocks.

Hartl had 341 digs while Brandl posted 330.

Burtwhistle registered 573 set assists while Espinoza totaled 491.

Stanton loses 5 seniors to graduation in Heppner, Allie Spence, Alyna Padilla, Natalie Matthies, and Lillian Bernhardt.

The Mustangs figure to be great and locked and loaded again in 2018.

Stanton returns a ton of talent, including Brandl, Burtwhistle, Hartl, Espinoza, Christensen, and Waskowiak.

I look for the Mustangs to have a great season next year, but these girls have basketball and track this season first.

There's a lot for Stanton to accomplish in winter and spring sports as well as next Volleyball season.

A 3rd place finish at state is a tremendous accomplishment, and the Mustangs should be very proud of their efforts.

Now it's time to move on and get ready for other sports and next year's Volleyball season.

I think the success Stanton had this year will allow the Mustangs to be successful in other sports this year and in Volleyball again next year.

Stanton has to keep their successful run going, and continue to perform at a high level in all Girls Sports.

The Mustangs have a lot to be proud of this year, and I look for the future to be bright for Stanton.