Oakland-Craig falls to Broken Bow in C1-8 District Final

 

The Oakland-Craig Volleyball Team came up one match short of making Sub-State, losing 3-0 to Broken Bow in the C1-8 Sub-State Final from Boone Central on Saturday.

The Indians won set one 25-19, set two 25-20, and set three 25-23.

Bailey Helzer had 19 kills and 14 digs while Josie Richards totaled 8 digs and 28 assists in her final match in a Oakland-Craig uniform. Fellow Senior Ashten Rennerfeldt and Shea Johnson each had 7 digs.

A tough way for the Knights to go out after such a great season, but still a great season nonetheless.

Oakland-Craig ends their year at 22-7.

The Knights picked up big wins over Howells-Dodge, North Bend Central, West Point-Beemer 3 times, Pender twice, BRLD twice, Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family twice, GACC, Wisner-Pilger, and Clarkson/Leigh.

It was a season to remember for the Knights for sure.

Helzer finished the year with 502 kills and 301 digs to lead the team while Richards had a team leading 843 assists.

Oakland-Craig says goodbye to Richards, Rennerfeldt, Makenna Pearson and Marissa Mulder.

Key returners include Helzer, Maycie Johnson, Shea Johnson, Laryn Johnson, and Sadie Nelson.

The Knights lose some key pieces and players, but return a lot of key pieces and players as well.

I look for Oakland-Craig to be really good once again next year and for Nelson to have a bigger role on next year's team.

The Knights have to work hard over the offseason to get back to Sub-State and make state next year if they are to do it.

Oakland-Craig had their chance this year, but came up a little bit short.

Hopefully it's sweet redemption for the Knights next season.

Oakland-Craig was definitely good enough to make it to State this season, it just wasn't in the cards for them this year.

Clarkson/Leigh loses to Oakland-Craig and Norfolk Catholic

 

The Clarkson/Leigh Volleyball Team fell 3-2 at Oakland-Craig in last Tuesday night's regular season finale before losing 3-0 to Norfolk Catholic in the C2-6 Sub-District Semifinals at Lutheran High Northeast Monday night.

The Patriots won set one 25-19 and set two 25-18. O-C took set three 25-20, set four 25-22, and set five 15-13.

Chloe Hanel had 19 kills while Cassidy Hoffman posted 12. Kayden Schumacher had 10 kills and 26 digs while Kennedy Settje registered 10 kills and 14 digs. Alissa Kasik recorded 15 digs while Makenna Held registered 14 digs and 45 assists. Bailey Lemburg chipped in 7 digs.

Norfolk Catholic won set one 25-23, set two 25-21, and set three 25-19.

Schumacher had 14 kills and 14 digs while Hanel registered 10 kills. Settje added 9 kills and 17 digs while Hoffman notched 7 kills. Kasik totaled 15 digs while Held registered 10 digs and 36 assists.

A couple of tough losses for Clarkson/Leigh.

The Patriots (20-7) take on BRLD (20-12) in the C2-4 District Final from Clarkson in action that can be heard on 107.9 the Bull Saturday afternoon.

The Wolverines beat Pender 3-2 in Tuesday night's C2-4 Sub-District Final from Bancroft-Rosalie.

Clarkson/Leigh beat BRLD twice in the regular season.

The Patriots stand a good chance to win this one again I feel.

I know Clarkson/Leigh is just 3-5 in their last 8 matches, but the losses were to top teams.

I feel as long as the Patriots relax and play their game that they will win being at home and everything.

Clarkson/Leigh has to hit the reset button and put the last handful of matches behind them.

The past is the past, and it can't be changed, but the future can be whatever the Patriots want it to be.

Is another State Tournament berth in Clarkson/Leigh's future? I think there's a good chance it is as long as the Patriots play their game on Saturday.

Clarkson/Leigh has be calm, cool, and collected throughout the match.

Remember deep breaths whenever there are nerves if there are any at all.

The Patriots can't put added pressure on themselves or feel the pressure.

Clarkson/Leigh has to play Patriot Volleyball and go out there and shine.

Opening serve is set for 1:30 p.m. on the Bull.

BRLD 3-0 in last three matches

 

The BRLD Volleyball Team won 3-2 over Pender twice, beating the Pendragons in last Tuesday night's regular season finale at home before beating Pender in Tuesday night's C2-4 Sub-District Final, also at home. The Wolverines also beat Omaha Nation 3-0 at home in Monday night's Sub-District Semifinals.

Pender took set one from BRLD the first time around 25-17 and won set two 28-26. The Wolverines won set three 25-21, set four 25-17, and set five 15-10.

Caragan Tietz had 20 kills and 20 digs while Alexzi Nottleman and Megan Beutler totaled 11 kills apiece. Alyssa Buchholz added 7 kills and 9 digs while Aubrey Berg had 39 digs. Kinlee Bacon added 15 digs and 19 assists while Bella Bonneau added 14 digs. Brooklyn Nolting notched 12 digs and 19 assists while Nottleman and Beutler compiled 10 and 9 digs, respectively.

BRLD won set one over the Chiefs 25-5, set two 25-3, and set three 25-4.

In the second meeting with BRLD, the Wolverines won set one 25-21. Pender took set two 25-16 before BRLD won set three 25-8. The Pendragons claimed set four 27-25 and set five 19-17.

Great job by the Wolverines, who are headed to Sub-State!

BRLD (20-12) takes on Clarkson/Leigh (20-7) in Clarkson in the C2-4 District Final on Saturday afternoon in action that can be heard on 107.9 the Bull.

The Patriots lost 3-0 to Norfolk Catholic in the C2-6 Sub-District Semifinals at Lutheran High Northeast Monday night.

Clarkson/Leigh is just 3-5 in their last 8 matches.

Granted the Patriots have lost to some great teams, but still they have struggled some lately.

It's a Golden opportunity for the Wolverines to breakthrough and win and get to State.

It would be such a huge step for this program if they're able to beat Clarkson/Leigh.

The Patriots are at an advantage being at home and everything, but BRLD can definitely win this one.

Clarkson/Leigh beat the Wolverines twice in the regular season though so it won't be easy.

The Patriots could very well get back on track in and win this one.

I'd say BRLD is a better matchup for Clarkson/Leigh than Pender is.

The Pendragons beat the Patriots in Clarkson though so the Wolverines know they can do it too.

It's tough to beat a team 3 times in a season so we will see what happens come Saturday.

Opening serve is set for 1:30 p.m. on the Bull.

Howells-Dodge wins C2-3 Sub-District

 

The Howells-Dodge Volleyball Team won the C2-3 Sub-District, defeating Tekamah-Herman 3-0 at home Monday night in action that was aired on 107.9 the Bull before downing GACC 3-1 at home in Tuesday night's Sub-District Final aired on the Bull.

The Jaguars took set one from the Tigers 25-9, set two 25-17, and set three 25-21.

Grace Baumert had 13 kills while Riley Pokorny notched 8 kills and 10 digs. Ellie Baumert added 9 digs and 28 assists while Jayda Bazata notched 7 digs.

Against GACC, the first set went the way of the Jaguars 26-24. The Bluejays got out to a 9-2 lead in set two and went on to win it 25-13 to tie the match at a set apiece

GACC got out to a strong start in set three before a Grace Baumert kill ignited Howells-Dodge, pulling the Jaguars to within two at 8-6.

The two teams went back and forth the rest of the set with Howells-Dodge prevailing 26-24.

Set four went the way of the Jaguars 25-16.

Grace Baumert had a match-high 20 kills and posted 18 digs for Howells-Dodge while Pokorny totaled 17 digs. Ellie Baumert added 16 digs and 41 assists while Lexie Brester and Bazata posted 9 and 7 digs, respectively.

Heck of a job by the Jaguars winning the Sub-District.

Howells-Dodge (24-4) battles South Loup (22-7) in the C2-6 District Final from Central Valley High School in Greeley Saturday afternoon.

The Bobcats beat Hi-Line 3-0 in the C2-11 Sub-District Final in Callaway Tuesday night.

I feel like the Baumert transfers will be too much for South Loup to handle.

I look for Howells-Dodge to win on Saturday and get to State and play Overton potentially.

I feel like the Jaguars have an opportunity to get to the State Semifinals if not the State Championship Game in Class C-2.

First things first Howells-Dodge has to beat South Loup, but I think everything I just mentioned could potentially happen.

The Jaguars are a great team and have something special going on this year.

I look for the train to roll on all the way to Lincoln next week with an opportunity for Howells-Dodge to do some damage at State.

This Saturday's match is scheduled to start at 1:00 p.m. in Greeley.

GACC 2-1 in last three matches

 

The GACC Volleyball Team won 3-0 over Battle Creek in the Mid-State Conference Tournament last Thursday at Norfolk Catholic before beating Wisner-Pilger 3-0 in the C2-3 Sub-District Semifinals from Howells-Dodge Monday night. The Bluejays then lost 3-1 to Howells-Dodge in Tuesday night's Sub-District Final.

GACC beat the Bravettes 25-12 in set one, 25-14 in set two, and 25-18 in set three.

Greta Wooldrik had 10 kills while Sophia Hass notched 9 kills and 18 digs. Evelyn Wooldrik chipped in 7 kills. Isabel Hass had 20 digs while Erica Engelmeyer totaled 18. Megan Plagge had 13 digs and 27 assists while Kelsy Steffen posted 9 digs.

Sophia Hass had 13 kills and 14 digs while Taylor Timmerman totaled 10 kills. Isabel Hass added 18 digs while Steffen recorded 15. Plagge added 14 digs and 28 assists. Engelmeyer added 8 digs while Reese Throener chipped in 7.

The first set went the way of the Jaguars 26-24. The Bluejays got out to a 9-2 lead in set two and went on to win it 25-13 to tie the match at a set apiece.

GACC got out to a strong start in set three before a Grace Baumert kill ignited Howells-Dodge, pulling the Jaguars to within two at 8-6.

The two teams went back and forth the rest of the set with Howells-Dodge prevailing 26-24.

Set four went the way of the Jaguars 25-16.

Sophia Hass registered a team-high 17 kills and 14 digs for the Bluejays. Timmerman and Evelyn Wooldrik added 7 kills apiece. Isabel Hass had 36 digs while Plagge totaled 16 digs and 40 assists. Engelmeyer registered 13 digs while Steffen recorded 10. Throener chipped in 7.

I thought the Bluejays played really well against Battle Creek and Wisner-Pilger, and well for parts of the match against Howells-Dodge.

GACC (15-10) qualified for Sub-State and hosts Fullerton (15-3) on Saturday in the C2-8 Sub-State Final.

The Warriors won 3-1 over Centura in the C2-9 Sub-District Final at home Tuesday night.

I think the Bluejays will win this one.

GACC plays tougher competition than Fullerton does, and the Warriors were in Class D-1 for a long time. 

That and the match is in West Point so you have a recipe for a Bluejay win.

GACC has to come out and be ready to play Championship Volleyball on Saturday.

It's one win to go to State, and the Bluejays have a great chance to get back to Lincoln.

It's an opportunity to play at Pinnacle Bank Arena, the home of the Huskers.

That's a big deal, and would be awesome should GACC get and play there.

Sophia Hass needs to have a big match for the Bluejays as does Isabel Hass and Plagge.

It has to be a total team effort from GACC.

The Bluejays have to put forth their best effort and play their best match on Saturday.

I feel like GACC will do that too.

First serve is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. 

Oakland-Craig 3-0 in last 3 matches

 

The Oakland-Craig Volleyball Team got back on track last week with a 3-2 win at home over Clarkson/Leigh last Tuesday night before winning 3-0 at home over Logan View/Scribner-Snyder in C1-5 Sub-District Action Monday night, and 3-2 over West Point-Beemer in Tuesday night's Sub-District Final.

The Patriots won set one 25-19 and set two 25-18. O-C took set three 25-20, set four 25-22, and set five 15-13.

Bailey Helzer had 37 kills and 13 digs while Ashten Rennerfeldt notched 9 kills and 13 digs. Maycie Johnson had 13 digs while Josie Richards totaled 11 digs and 50 assists. Laryn Johnson added 11 digs while Shea Johnson had 7.

The Knights topped the Raiders 25-17 in set one, 25-13 in set two, and 25-11 in set three.

Helzer notched 20 kills and 12 digs while Shea Johnson totaled 11 digs. Maycie Johnson added 10 while Rennerfeldt compiled 7. Richards added 29 assists.

The Cadets won set one 33-31 before Oakland-Craig took set two 25-23. West Point-Beemer then won set three 25-23 before the Knights won set four 25-18 and set five 15-13.

Great stuff from Oakland-Craig.

The Knights (22-6) take on Broken Bow (28-4) in the C1-8 District Final from Boone Central Saturday afternoon.

The Indians beat O'Neill 3-1 at home Tuesday night in the C1-10 Sub-District Final. 

Broken Bow is a very good team as they own wins over Wayne and Kearney Catholic, among others.

Oakland-Craig definitely has a challenge on their hands that is for sure.

The Knights can definitely win this one though.

Oakland-Craig has to play inspired, especially Helzer.

The Knights have to step up and play great Volleyball on Saturday.

The location is an advantage for Oakland-Craig I feel as the Knights played in a tournament there earlier this year.

It has a chance to be a very special day for the Orange and Black of Oakland-Craig.

This is the Knights' Golden opportunity to make state and play at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Oakland-Craig has to go out there and capture the moment and achieve all they ever wanted.

First serve is slated for 2:00 p.m. in Albion.

Tri County Northeast beats Wausa, falls to Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family in Sub-Districts

 

The Tri County Northeast Volleyball Team won 3-1 over Wausa in the D1-3 Sub-District Semifinals from Humphrey Monday night before losing 3-1 to the host Bulldogs in Tuesday night's Sub-District Final.

The Vikings took set one from the Wolfpack before Tri County Northeast won set two 25-23, set three 25-18, and set four 25-16.

H/LHF won set one 25-13 and set two 25-23 before the Wolfpack took set three 25-19. The Bulldogs closed out the match with a 26-24 set four victory.

Strong finish to the season for Tri County Northeast following a slow start.

The Wolfpack ends the year with a 12-16 record.

Tri County Northeast caught fire in the last few weeks of the season, going 8-4 in their last 12 matches.

I thought the Wolfpack had a chance to win the Sub-District, and they were close, but it wasn't meant to be.

The win over Hartington-Newcastle was probably the biggest win of the year for Tri County Northeast.

Alli Jackson and Carly Dickens are the only two seniors graduating for the Wolfpack, but they are big losses.

Key returners include Jordyn Carr, Jazmin Delatorre, Katie Utech, Brynn Shock, Getsemani Ferrusca, and Brianna Bousquet.

The future looks bright for Tri County Northeast, especially when you include this year's Freshman Class in there as well.

I look for the Wolfpack to build off what they did in the latter part of this season, and have another good year next year.

Jackson and Dickens will be tough to replace though so Tri County Northeast will need someone to step up and fill those big shoes and those roles, but I feel like the Wolfpack has players capable of stepping up and doing just that next season.

Hopefully next season brings good health and happiness and an end to the coronavirus pandemic.

One can only hope and be optimistic about things heading into next year both from a Volleyball and pandemic standpoint.