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Bouncy in Benkelman: Broncos finally beat Tigers
BENKELMAN, Neb. — They could have broke, choked and started playing the blame game following a horrific 29-27 defeat.
Wauneta-Palisade had been oh-so-close to finishing off Dundy County-Stratton in four sets Tuesday night.
Yet now they were tied 2-2, and some probably thought the Broncos would become wildabeasts who simply could not escape this Tiger den with a win.
Think again.
“It was almost a heartbreaker,” W-P coach Terra Higgins admitted about the volleyball season opener for both teams. “But I told the girls in the huddle, this can define what kind of team you are.”
A winning team because the Broncos would basically never trail during this decisive fifth set.
You gotta have Faith – and senior Faith Simpson’s 21st kill made it 9-6 for Wauneta-Palisade.
Yet determined DC-S promptly caught the Broncos again at 9-9 and still seemed ready to perhaps steal Bronco history.
“These seniors had not beaten them (the Tigers) in three years,” Higgins explained. “It was one of our first goals we talked about. This was their last chance.”
So naturally, a freshman delivered the last huge Bronco kill.
Freshman Haylee Sandman one perfect shot through the Tiger double block, moving W-P to match point at 14-11.
No way were the Broncos letting this last chance slip away. They made two nice saves and soon watched DC-S lose their last ball into the net.
Let the big party in Benkelman begin.
Wauneta-Palisade had prevailed 25-14, 15-25, 25-21, 27-29, 15-11.
Wow, what a way to start for both area teams.
“That’s a good team over there,” DC-S coach Bill Wilson said about the Broncos. “We made too many unforced errors. I think eight of their 15 points in that last set were unforced.”
“But they (the Broncos) earned it,” he added. “It was a good fun game. I’m happy our players came back to take them to five sets.”
The five Bronco seniors — Simpson, Laynee Nordhausen, Natalie Ramirez, Jayden Ingold and Destiny Beacham — all earned plenty of praise from their coach.
“All five played crucial roles,” Higgins said.
Nordhausen jumped into the fray and served four of WP’s 17 aces. The Broncos barely out-aced those Tigers, 17-15.
Beacham made three huge stuff blocks as the Broncos dominated with 13 to five for DC-S.
Ramirez ran down 11 digs which matched junior Monique Gooden’s team leadership.
Ingold was all over the court and kept those Broncos focused throughout this roller-coaster opener.
“The intensity was huge,” Higgins concluded.
Both teams jump into action again Thursday evening.
The Broncos host their own triangular while DC-S will play two more in Arapahoe.
“We’ve still got a lot of work to do to be a powerhouse again,” Wilson said. “But we will get there. It may take all season, but we will get there.”
All leaders:
Kills
W-P: Faith Simpson 21, Haylee Sandman 9. DC-S: Grace Frederick 16, Adeline Krutsinger 13, Kelcie Burke 7.
Blocks
W-P: Simpson 12, Destiny Beacham 7, Sandman 7. DC-S: Krutsinger 5, Frederick 5.
Digs
W-P: Natalie Ramirez 11, Monique Gooden 11. DC-S: Frederick 18, Dawson Latta 17, Allie Behlke 15, Krutsinger 10.
Assists
W-P: Dukes 20, Simpson 12. DC-S: Behlke 27.
Ace serves
W-P: Dukes 7, Lanee Nordhausen 4. DC-S: Krutsinger 7, Burke 3.