The Stanton Volleyball Team swept Bridgeport 3-0 in the C2-2 District Final at Lexington Saturday afternoon to reach state for the 4th consecutive year.
The Mustangs won the first set 25-15, the second set 25-11, and the third set 25-17.
Jessie Brandl had 14 kills and 15 digs while Bree Burtwhistle posted 10 kills, 17 digs, and 23 set assists. Reba Waskowiak added 9 kills while Liz Christensen chipped in 8. Jaiden Hartl had 29 digs while Makenna Espinoza dished out 17 set assists.
Head Coach Tracy Kuester-Burtwhistle says her squad was clicking on all cylinders. "Saturday as a team we played well. Our serve receive and defense did a good job of getting the ball to the target, setters making great decision to allow our hitters to attack. We had a balance attacking every rotation which is hard to defend. Also, from the serve line we served aggressively."
Stanton (29-1) takes on Battle Creek (22-10) in the first round of State on Thursday at Lincoln Southwest at 3:30 p.m. in action that can be heard on 107.9 the Bull.
The Braves beat South Loup 3-1 in the C2-8 District Final at Central Valley High School in Greeley on Saturday.
Kuester-Burtwhistle says her squad hasn't faced Battle Creek yet this year. "Yes, we play BC the first round and we actually have not met up with BC. We have had the opportunity to watch them play in our Stanton Tournament in September and also at our sub-districts. Our focus will be what we can control and the tempo of the match."
The Mustangs figure to have a great chance to win the whole thing as they are probably the favorite, or at least one of the favorites. Teams like Blue Hill or Superior could spoil the party though, but let's hope they don't.
Kuester-Burtwhistle discusses the pedigree her team must play with to win it all again. "Play fearless, mistakes will happen - acknowledge them and move on. Continue to trust your training and believe in your ability and the team's ability."
Stanton won it all in 2016 so we'll see if the Mustangs can win it all again in 2018.
Stanton will face either Blue Hill or Hastings St. Cecilia in the Semifinals on Friday at 1:00 p.m. if they get past the Braves.
The State Championship match will be played at 1:00 p.m. at the Devaney Center.
The semifinal match would be at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Kuester-Burtwhistle says C-2 is loaded this year. "C2 Class will be very competitive again this year. and that is what you want to happen in a State event. I am sure you will see a lot of 5 set matches."
If the Mustangs are to win State again this year it will have been a tremendous accomplishment.
I feel Stanton has a tougher road to winning a State Championship this year than two years ago, but I think this is Stanton's best team out of the four that have made state.
Kuester-Burtwhistle adds fan support has been outstanding. "Community and School have been our biggest fans. We had a great crowd on Saturday in Lexington and we look forward to that excitement at the state tournament."
The pieces are in place for the Mustangs to make another State Championship run, and it's Stanton's time to shine.
All of Stanton's State matches with the exception of a potential 3rd place match will be able to be heard on the Bull.
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