Stanton sweeps Howells-Dodge, defeats West Point-Beemer in first round of East Husker Conference Tournament

The Stanton Volleyball Team swept Howells-Dodge 3-0 on the road last Tuesday night before winning 2-0 at home over West Point-Beemer in the first round of the East Husker Conference Tournament Thursday night.

The Mustangs took sets one and two from the Jaguars 25-11, and won set three 25-9.

Bree Burtwhistle had 12 kills, 7 digs, and 12 set assists. while Jessie Brandl totaled 7 kills and 7 digs. Jaiden Hartl added 9 digs while Makenna Espinoza totaled 9 digs and 17 set assists.

The Mustangs topped the Cadets 25-16 in set one and 25-19 in set two.

Brandl notched 12 kills while Burtwhistle posted 8 kills, 8 digs, and 15 set assists. Hartl registered 11 digs while Espinoza dished out 14 set assists.

Dominant wins and performances from Stanton. The Mustangs played great Volleyball last week and on Thursday.

Stanton (20-1) takes on Twin River (17-8) in Saturday's Semifinals at North Bend Central.

The Titans swept Pender and Howells-Dodge 2-0 in Thursday's first round at Howells-Dodge.

It's the first meeting of the season between these two teams.

I look for the Mustangs to win relatively easy. I think Twin River could make things interesting for a while, but I think Stanton will dominate the way they have all season.

I look for Burtwhistle and Brandl to lead the way, and for Espinoza to contribute in a big way as well.

I think the Mustangs will win this tournament regardless if they would face Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family or Clarkson/Leigh in the championship game.

Stanton is a great team, and there are a lot of good teams in this tournament, but I feel the Mustangs stand out from the rest.

Stanton has their sights set on big things, and this is just one of those big things on the way to what the Mustangs hope is a State Championship.

Stanton has been great and has ran the table all season long, and I look for the Mustangs to do that again on Saturday.

It wouldn't surprise me if Stanton swept Twin River and took the championship match in no more than 4 sets.

The Mustangs are a great team and deserve all the love and recognition they are getting.

Stanton is trying to cap off what has been a great four year run for this Senior Class.

The Mustangs would love to add another State Championship no doubt, and this tournament is a stepping stone to making that happen.

Stanton has shown they are a great and worthy team, and I look for the Mustangs to roll on Championship Saturday.

The Bulldogs could maybe take a set from Stanton in the championship match if those two teams match up, but I don't see the match going more than four.

The Mustangs have only lost four sets all season, two of them to Hartington Cedar Catholic, so I think that shows just how dominant Stanton has been.

Saturday's match against Twin River will start after the Clarkson/Leigh/Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family Match, which is scheduled to begin at 1:15 p.m. at North Bend Central.