Wolves win Hitchcock tourney to reach 10-0

The Maywood-Hayes Center Wolves lined up for their champion team shot after winning Saturday's eight-team Hitchcock County Invitational. They are 10-0 overall entering a home triangular Tuesday night at Maywood.

Courtesy Photo

CULBERTSON, Neb. —Maywood-Hayes Center remained unbeaten in 10 matches and all sets with Saturday's sweep through the Hitchcock County Invitational.

The Wolves (10-0 record) won a 25-19, 25-11 title match where senior Jaycee Widener walloped 16 kills to total 36 overall during this tourney.

Coach Kory Rohde's team earlier took a tough 25-22, 25-22 semifinal from Axtell after conquering Wauneta-Palisade 25-15, 25-18 Saturday morning.

"I was very happy with the way the girls played today," Rohde remarked. "We played three very good teams and came out on top in every game."

Sophomore Lexi Wood added 16 kills and delivered 17-for-17 hitting against finalist Alma.

Teammate Stevie Handsaker hammered five kills during those sweeps of Axtell and Wauneta-Palisade.

The Wolves are hosting a triangular tonight in Maywood.

In other Hitchcock Invite action, Wauneta-Palisade (4-4) took a 25-12, 25-16 first-round match from Arapahoe.

Senior Haylee Sandman delivered five kills, five digs and three ace serves for the Broncos.

Sophomore Hope Kollar crushed five kills to power Arapahoe while sophomore Gentry Warner made eight digs.

Following the semifinal setback to MH-C, the Broncos battled but lost a three-set consolation final with Axtell.

Sandman’s 11 kills kept W-P within striking range with freshman Peyton Cox clobbering six.Junior Alexa Aandman hustled to a team-high 23 digs. Senior Payton Yearous and Haylee Sandman equally divided another 22.

However, Axtell prevailed by scores of 25-18, 24-26 and 25-17.

The Wildcats raised their season record to 7-3.

Arapahoe (2-6 record) dropped two-set matches to Alma and Hitchcock County following the opener with W-P.

Koller and sophomore Emerson each drilled three kills vs. Alma off nine assists from Warner.

Hitchcock County avenged an earlier loss to Arapahoe with a 25-17, 25-14 victory.

The Falcons won behind junior Aimee Merrill’s six kills and five from Lindsey Rippen.

They also served nine aces with freshman Katie Jarecke serving three. Juniors Riley Bortner, Kailee Kolbet and Merrill served two apiece.

The Falcons (4-7) lost matches to Axtell and Alma.