CLASS 1A VOLLEYBALL REPORT – THURSDAY by Kerry Sherman

Picture by Karianne Donnelson (Prairie vs Peetz)

CLASS 1A VOLLEYBALL REPORT – THURSDAY

BY KERRY SHERMAN

Another huge weekend of volleyball action gets underway on Thursday, with five matches featuring teams in the latest MHPR Coaches and Media poll. We will shift to the CHSAA Selection and Seeding Index next week.

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#3 FLEMING (7-1) AT PEETZ (1-7)

It’s been a full week since Fleming last took the court in a 3-0 win over rival Briggsdale. Ashley Bornhoft put away a dozen kills in that win, while Ciana Lousberg added nine kills and 18 assists. With a sweep loss at Lone Star on Tuesday, Peetz has dropped its last four. Fleming has completely dominated this series, with Peetz winning one set in the last 41 meetings dating back to 2007.

#6 FLATIRONS ACADEMY (9-0) AT 2A ESTES PARK (7-6)

The Lady Bison began their Mile High slate last Thursday with a sweep of 2A #12 Highland, 25-14/10/17. Five Lady Bison had at least six kills in the win, led by Brylin Gomer with 10. Lexi Richman and Everly Haynes each served up four aces, and Richman added 29 assists. A two-match winning streak has Estes Park sitting at 2-1 in the Mile High. The latter of those two victories came on Tuesday in five sets over 2A #16 Heritage Christian. The Lady Bobcats lost the first two sets but then came back for the reverse sweep, winning the fifth 15-12. Olivia Boynton put away a dozen kills in the victory.

#12 EVANGEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (6-1) VS HANOVER (4-5)

Evangel Christian has had to wait a full week to get rid of the bitter taste of defeat from its first loss of the season to Flagler. The Lady Eagles were swept by the #11 team in the poll 25-16/21/18. Ellie Wagner recorded 13 kill, and Mia Castro added nine. Castro also led the defense with 12 digs. Hanover has lost its last two, most recently suffering a four-set defeat on Friday against Miami-Yoder. The first two sets went extras, with the Lady Hornets dropping the first 24-26 and then winning 28-26 in the second. They could not carry the momentum over.

#14 PRAIRIE (7-0) AT KIMBALL, NE (5-3)

Wins over Peetz and Briggsdale last week have the Lady Mustangs sharing the top spot in the North Central league with Fleming. They step out of league play and cross the state line following last Friday’s four-set win over Briggsdale. None of those sets were decided by more than four points, with two going extras. Hannah Kugler was one of three Prairie players with double digit kills, putting away 22. Tanna Bailey notched 14, and Macie Jaeger added a dozen. Kimball enters on a three-match winning streak, having beaten Banner County in five on Monday.

#15 GRANADA (8-1) AT 2A #5 SWINK (7-2)

Granada ran its winning streak to six with a sweep of Crowley County on Tuesday. Camryn Coleman continued the strong start to her high school career with 15 kills, and Emersen Hernandez tacked on 11. With 33 assists, junior setter Kinsley Williams went over 1000 for her career. Swink has won three in a row since a sweep loss to 2A #2 Sanford. The Lady Lions swept Walsenburg on Tuesday, surrendering a total of 36 points. Taylor Mendenhall and Emma Gacnik had eight kills apiece, and Daisy Heberlie added seven.

#16 ELBERT (9-3) VS KIOWA (4-1)

Elbert suffered a 3-0 loss to 2A Thomas MacLaren on Tuesday, snapping a three-match winning streak for the Lady Bulldogs. Paisley Vandergriff put down nine kills to lead Elbert in the loss. Melanie Hermes registered 26 digs, and Jadyn Schmidt recorded 14 assists. Kiowa has built a three-match winning streak since suffering its only loss to ECA late last month. The Lady Indians put away Sierra Grande in four last Friday.