Pender drops final three regular season contests

The Pender Volleyball Team lost 3-1 at home to Clarkson/Leigh Monday night before losing 2-0 to  Howells-Dodge and 2-1 to West Point-Beemer at the Howells-Dodge Triangular Tuesday night to close out the regular season.

The Pendragons defeated the Patriots 25-23 in set one before losing set two 25-11, set three 25-16, and set four 25-18.

Brittni Beckman had 7 kills while Kaylin Sandall totaled 12 digs. Zoey Lehmkuhl posted 9 digs and 20 set assists while Ashley Ostrand and Sadie Lamplot recorded 8 digs apiece. Rylee Lehmkuhl added 7.

Pender lost set one 25-15 and set two 25-23 to the Jaguars.

Zoey Lehmkuhl notched 14 set assists.

The Pendragons took set one from the Cadets 25-22 before West Point-Beemer won set two 25-12 and set three 25-20.

Beckman and Ostrand had 9 kills apiece while Ostrand had 14 digs. Sandall and Lamplot totaled 13 digs each while Zoey Lehmkuhl dished out 24 set assists.

Good effort from Pender in each match they just came up a tad bit short each time.

The Pendragons (7-22) take on Randolph (11-16) in the first round of Sub-Districts in the D1-6 Sub-District at Stanton Monday night.

The Cardinals lost 2-0 to Laurel-Concord-Coleridge and Plainview at the Lewis and Clark Conference Tournament Monday night to end the regular season.

I feel Pender has a legit shot to win this match.

The Pendragons play a very tough schedule in a very good conference.

Randolph has played a tough schedule too though so they are certainly going to be tough.

Both teams have kind of struggled at the end of the regular season so it will be interesting to see who can get off to a fast start and play at a high level throughout.

If Pender can get off to the kind of start they did against West Point-Beemer and Clarkson/Leigh then they can definitely win.

You're talking about two great opponents that the Pendragons took a set from.

I would venture to say the Patriots and Cadets are better than the Cardinals.

Pender can't get off to the type of start they did against Howells-Dodge though.

The Pendragons have to start the way they did against the Cadets and Patriots, and finish the way they did against the Jaguars.

Pender has to come out and play their best match of the year Monday night.

It's Sub-Districts, and anything can happen, and the Pendragons have to believe that they can win the whole ball of wax in this Sub-District.

Anyone can be beaten on any given night, and that goes for Randolph Monday night.

Pender has to come out emotionally uplifted and ready to go full tilt the entire match.

The Pendragons have to play their tails off Monday night, and leave it all out on the floor.

Pender has to play with the blood, sweat, and tears of a champion, and come out and play great Volleyball Monday night.

Match time is scheduled for 6:15 p.m.

Howells-Dodge goes 1-2 in last three regular season matches

The Howells-Dodge Volleyball Team lost 3-1 at Tekamah-Herman last Thursday night before beating Pender 2-0, and losing 2-1 to West Point-Beemer at their home Triangular Tuesday night.

The teams changed leads several times in the opening set, with the Tigers eventually winning 25-21.

The story was similar in the second set, with Tekamah-Herman winning 25-20.

The Jaguars seemed to rebound in the third set, downing the Tigers 25-13.

The Tigers wouldn’t be denied on Parents Night, however, as they built and early lead in the fourth set, and went on to win 25-19.

Head Coach Neil VanLengen says Tekamah Herman deserved the win. "The team that played harder won the game, there's just no doubt about that. We made a few silly mistakes and couldn't overcome them, but yeah when a team plays that hard and won't let the ball hit the floor, that can happen man, they got after it, there's no doubt about it."

Erin Prusa had 12 kills while Jessi Brester posted 9 kills and 9 digs. Taya VanLengen notched 16 digs while Alyssa Coufal recorded 11 digs and 25 set assists.

The Jaguars beat the Pendragons 25-15 in set one and 25-23 in set two.

Prusa had 8 kills while VanLengen registered 12 digs. Coufal tallied 23 set assists.

Howells-Dodge lost sets one and three to the Cadets 29-27 while taking set two 25-23.

Prusa had 20 kills while Brester notched 7 kills and 12 digs. VanLengen added 23 digs while McKenna Klosen had 7. Coufal dished out 28 set assists.

I thought the Jaguars responded well following the loss to the Tigers.

Howells-Dodge (16-14) takes on Nebraska Christian in the D1-5 Sub-District Tournament at David City Aquinas on Monday.

The Eagles are a very good team, and the Jaguars definitely have their work cut out for them.

The Jaguars have to play well and pick up their play.

I thought Howells-Dodge played well Tuesday night, and the Jaguars need to play like that again Monday night.

Anyone can beat anyone this time of year, and Howells-Dodge has to believe they are destined to beat Nebraska Christian.

It's a very tough Sub-District, but Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family has been scuffling some lately.

The Jaguars have to be confident and feel optimistic about their chances of winning.

I think Howells-Dodge has what it takes to come out of this sub-district, but the Jaguars have their work cut out for them.

It looks like Howells-Dodge will need to win the Sub-District to make a Sub-State match.

Certainly not easy, but possible for the Jaguars.

Howells-Dodge has to forget about their struggles in the regular season if they haven't already, and build off what they did Tuesday night.

Prusa, Brester, VanLengen, and Coufal need to play well for this team.

I have been impressed with Brester stepping up offensively and defensively as of late, and she needs to keep that up.

The Jaguars are a good team, and I feel like Howells-Dodge has some good Volleyball ahead and in front of them.

The Jaguars have to get fired up and riled up and ready to take aim at the Eagles.

Howells-Dodge has to play as if there's no tomorrow because if the Jaguars lose there won't be.

Howells-Dodge has to play a good game at a high level to able to come away with the win over Nebraska Christian.

First serve is set for 6:30 p.m.

Clarkson/Leigh beats Pender in regular season finale

The Clarkson/Leigh Volleyball Team won 3-1 at Pender Monday night to close out the regular season.

The Pendragons won set one 25-23 before the Patriots took set two 25-11, set three 25-16, and set four 25-18.

Ashlynn Novotny had 22 kills while Hannah Kasik totaled 11 kills and 11 digs. Cassidy Hoffman totaled 10 kills while Beth Wiese had 8. Halee Steffensmeier recorded 10 digs while Kaegan Held notched 49 set assists.

Slow start for Clarkson/Leigh, but I thought the Patriots did a nice job responding to being down, and played lights out Volleyball after set one.

Clarkson/Leigh (23-7) takes on Battle Creek in the first round of Sub-Districts on Monday at Wisner-Pilger in C2-6 action.

The Patriots beat the Braves 2-1 in the regular season at the Stanton Invite on September 15th.

Clarkson/Leigh knows they can beat Battle Creek as they've done it once already.

Every match is big, especially if the Patriots should need a wildcard to make sub-state.

Clarkson/Leigh has to gear themselves up for another postseason run.

This group of seniors have come a long ways and been through a lot since their freshman year, and now things are starting to wind down.

The Patriots have to play together and be all for one another this postseason.

Clarkson/Leigh has to be on top of their game Monday night, and must take the fight to Battle Creek.

The Patriots have to get ready to play the best Volleyball they've played all season.

Battle Creek, Stanton, and Norfolk Catholic are really good, and this Sub-District is loaded.

Clarkson/Leigh has to fight and play as hard as they can, and not be scared of or intimidated by the Braves.

The Patriots beat Battle Creek once, and they can do it again there's no doubt about that.

Clarkson/Leigh has to get fired up, and believe that they can win this Sub-District.

Anyone can be beat this time of year, and the Patriots were the last team standing before State last year, and have to revert back to last year's run for inspiration this year.

State is definitely doable for Clarkson/Leigh, but the Patriots have to come and play with tremendous pride and passion Monday night and Tuesday if they make it that far.

I think the Sub-District being in Wisner as opposed to Norfolk Catholic benefits Clarkson/Leigh against Battle Creek.

I'm willing to bet the Patriots know Wisner-Pilger's gym better than Norfolk Catholic's.

First serve is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

The winner gets either Stanton or the Norfolk Catholic/Madison winner in the Sub-District Final on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.

Logan View/Scribner-Snyder goes 1-3 in final four regular season matches

The Logan View/Scribner-Snyder Volleyball Team went 1-3 in their last four regular season matches, sweeping Fort Calhoun 2-0, but losing 2-0 to Wisner-Pilger at the Wisner-Pilger Triangular last Thursday, before losing 2-0 to Stanton and North Bend Central at their home triangular Tuesday night.

The Raiders took set one from the Pioneers 25-9, and won set two 25-17.

Shaylin Daugherty had 7 kills.

The Gators topped Logan View/Scribner-Snyder 25-20 in the first set, and 25-18 in the second set.

Taylor Ruwe posted 7 kills while Kaylin Niewohner notched 7 digs. Reagan Klein posted 10 set assists.

The Mustangs defeated the Raiders 25-10 in set one and 25-12 in set two.

Ruwe had 8 digs while Klein totaled 9 set assists.

North Bend Central took set one 25-21 and set two 25-18.

Tough way for LVSS to end the regular season after playing well for much of the season.

The Raiders (14-16) take on North Bend Central in the first round of Sub-Districts at Oakland-Craig Monday night in the 2 and 3 seed game in C1-6.

Logan View/Scribner-Snyder lost to Oakland-Craig and then beat them in back-to-back matches, and that's something the Raiders will try and do again...beat the Tigers after losing to them in the last match they played.

It's a whole new season now, and LVSS has to put the struggles at the end of the regular season behind them and just play ball.

What hurts the Raiders, in my opinion, is how much postseason experience North Bend Central has.

The Tigers have been at state the last two years, and a lot of their players have experienced state or at least seen it from the bench or stands.

I think out of all teams Logan View/Scribner-Snyder could of drawn for Sub-Districts, North Bend Central is the toughest matchup.

The Tigers have been up and down this season though so anything can happen.

This Sub-District is anyone's to win, and the Raiders have just as good a chance to win it as anyone else in the Sub-District, in my opinion.

I wouldn't rule out any of the teams in this Sub-District winning it, especially the top 3.

It's anyone's ball game, and Logan View/Scribner-Snyder has to regroup and get ready for what could be a trip to Sub-State next Saturday.

The Raiders have to think and dream big, and feel confident and good about their chances of coming out of the Sub-District.

Sure LVSS is stumbling into the postseason, but it's a new season, and everyone is 0-0 right now.

Anything can happen this time of year, and the Raiders have to feel like they have a chance to win this Sub-District and make Sub-State.

Logan View/Scribner-Snyder needs to have good practices prior to Monday, and be sharp and on point.

The Raiders have to come out and play as if there's no tomorrow because if they lose to the Tigers then the season is over.

First serve is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. 

Oakland-Craig swept by Wisner-Pilger

The Oakland-Craig Volleyball Team was swept 3-0 at home by Wisner-Pilger Tuesday night.

The Knights lost set one 25-19, set two 25-15, and set three 25-21.

Not the way Oakland-Craig would of liked this match to have gone I'm sure, but credit the Gators, they are as hot as anyone right now.

The Knights (12-18) host BRLD (11-16) in the regular season finale Thursday night.

The Wolverines won 3-1 at home over Tekamah-Herman Tuesday night.

Oakland-Craig topped BRLD 2-0 in the East Husker Conference Tournament recently while BRLD won the Northeast Nebraska Volleyball Classic Match on September 1st between the two teams, 2-1.

This should be a really good match once again Thursday night.

Tuesday night didn't pan out the way the Knights would of liked, but luckily for them they have another chance at redemption.

This is the last home match of the season for Oakland-Craig, and a chance for the seniors to go out winners on their home floor.

This is also the last match before Sub-Districts, which it looks like the Knights will play GACC in the first round of Sub-Districts next week.

Oakland-Craig can focus on the Bluejays or whoever they play after Thursday night's match.

For the time being and for the moment though the Knights should only be worried about the Wolverines.

Usually I would say something like oh this match doesn't count towards postseason seeding, it's not a big deal, but since it's BRLD it is a big deal.

The Wolverines are a rival, and Oakland-Craig really needs this one to give themselves a momentum boost heading into the postseason.

The Knights played real well for a stretch and then cooled off so Oakland-Craig has to find and rediscover that hot play.

This figures to be a very good and entertaining match.

I think BRLD is playing better now than they were in the conference tournament, and don't feel the Knights are playing as well right now as they were then so we'll see what happens Thursday night.

Regardless it should be a great match that comes down to the wire.

I give Oakland-Craig the edge since they are at home, but you never know how things are going to turn out.

The Knights can't let up at anytime or take their foot off the accelerator at any point in the match. Oakland-Craig has to keep their foot on the throttle throughout.

BRLD notches win over Tekamah-Herman

The BRLD Volleyball Team topped Tekamah-Herman 3-1 at home Tuesday night.

The Wolverines lost set one 25-19, but won set two 25-23, set three 25-19, and set four 25-16.

Solid win for BRLD, especially considering the momentum the Tigers were riding coming into the match.

The Wolverines (11-16) travel to Oakland to take on Oakland-Craig (12-18) Thursday night.

The Knights lost 3-0 at Wisner-Pilger Tuesday night.

BRLD beat Oakland-Craig 2-1 on September 1st at the Northeast Nebraska Volleyball Classic before the Knights got the Wolverines 2-0 at the East Husker Conference Tournament recently.

The rubber match should be very good.

The match won't count towards sub-district seeing as it does not appear the two teams will meet in the opening match of sub-districts.

This one still matters to BRLD and their players, coaches, parents, and fans though.

This is a rivalry match, and you can bet both teams will really get after things.

I'm sure these seniors would love to beat Oakland-Craig in the Knights' final home game of the season.

BRLD would no doubt love to spoil the last home match of the season for Oakland-Craig, and gain positive momentum heading into the postseason.

Wisner-Pilger is probably the favorite to win the sub-district right now, but don't count out the Wolverines.

BRLD is young, but the Wolverines made a Sub-State match last year so you never know how things are going to turn out this year.

A win over the Knights Thursday night would be a good boost of momentum heading into the postseason.

BRLD will already know their postseason matchup when they take the floor Thursday night so that should allow the Wolverines to just go out there and play.

BRLD doesn't have to worry about winning to jump Oakland-Craig in power points, that will already be decided before Thursday's match.

The Wolverines can just focus on playing and preparing for the postseason.

BRLD has to go out there and play with school pride and must play with fire, passion, tenacity, toughness, grit, and emotion.

There has to be passion and emotion behind their hits. The Wolverines have to give it all they've got.

Stanton sweeps Logan View/Scribner-Snyder Triangular

The Stanton Volleyball Team swept the Logan View/Scribner-Snyder Triangular Tuesday night on 107.9 the Bull, sweeping Logan View/Scribner-Snyder and North Bend Central 2-0.

The Mustangs defeated the Raiders 25-10 in set one and 25-12 in set two.

Bree Burtwhistle had 10 kills, 7 digs, and 10 set assists while Jessie Brandl and Jaiden Hartl totaled 9 digs apiece. Makenna Espinoza chipped in 8 digs and 11 set assists.

Stanton followed that up with a 25-21 opening set win and 25-16 second set win against the Tigers.

Burtwhistle posted 11 kills and 14 set assists while Brandl notched 8 kills and 7 digs. Hartl had 11 digs while Espinoza registered 12 set assists.

Two more big wins for the Mustangs. Things were closer with the Tigers than Stanton would of liked I'm sure, but it was still a dominant win for the Mustangs.

Stanton improves to 25-1 with the wins and hosts Twin River (17-11) in the regular season finale Thursday night.

The Titans lost 3-1 at Wisner-Pilger last Tuesday night.

What great careers these seniors have had for the Mustangs.

It's sad that it's the last ever home match these girls will play on their home floor, but Stanton has to go out there and make some wonderful memories.

So many great and wonderful memories have already been made, but the Mustangs need to have a night to remember Thursday night.

I'm sure this will be a very emotional night for the players, coaches, parents, and fans.

This is the last time this great class of Volleyball players will suit up for a Volleyball match on their home floor.

All the hard work Stanton has put in this season and growing up can be captured in a single memory Thursday night.

It's crazy that it's all coming to an end for this Senior Class in Volleyball, but what a tremendous ride and run it has been.

The Mustangs own two wins over the Titans already, and I look for Stanton to pick up win number three on the season over Twin River.

Sub-District pairings come out earlier in the day on Thursday, but the Mustangs have to try and stay in the moment and relish and enjoy their last match at home Thursday night.

There's so much more to accomplish in the postseason, but all that can be focused on after Thursday night.

These girls are someone's daughters, and I'm sure everyone's parents are very proud of what they've accomplished.

Stanton should be awfully proud of what they've accomplished in this sport over the last four years, and in life in general.

These girls are not only good Volleyball players, but I would venture to guess they're also outstanding students and people.

The journey is not yet complete, but another chapter will be written Thursday night, and these seniors have to go out there and do what they have the last four years, which is dominate.