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Oh no! Ogallala rallies to down Bison girls in five
McCOOK, Neb. —Nothing like a good fight to start Homecoming week at McCook High Tuesday night.
Those feisty Bison girls shook off a timid start and literally put unbeaten Ogallala on the ropes through four sets.
Senior Kori Rippen was unleashing the most punches with 12 kills, often pointing her appreciation to tag-team partner/setter Jaci Meyers.
Momentum changed more often than Homecoming theme events.
The Bison trailed 12-3, led 24-17 then finally finished off a 25-22 win —and that was just one set!
However, McCook was far more efficient during a 25-17 second set.
Especially since senior Josslyn Claflin served nine consecutive points to erase a 17-16 deficit.
“As a team, we put pressure on Ogallala during the first two sets of play,” coach Trevor Hoins remarked. “In the fourth, we had a chance to finish the match and came up a little short.”
Indeed. Ogallala fighting to win set three 25-19 was no surprise.
Yet the narrow 25-23, fourth-set victory clearly regained Indian momentum.
Top hitter Marlee Ervin, a 6’ junior, continued firing lasers along the left side.
Senior Joy Rippen hustled for 23 digs with sophomore Bailee Fawver saving another 17.
Sophomore Ashlyn Randel’s final of 13 digs displayed some staggering effort where she absorbed some real contact from this blast.
Ogallala remained just about unstoppable during the decisive 15-3 fifth set.
“This is only the second time most of these girls have played a five-set match,” first-year Bison head coach Hoins explained. “We need to learn how to finish the game off. But I am proud of the effort and fight by the girls.”
The Bison (1-4 record) will get another chance to celebrate a Homecoming week win tonight.
Rival Holdrege brings a 1-5 record into this varsity match scheduled again for 7 p.m. at McCook High.
The Dusters dropped a 3-0 match at Aurora Tuesday night but did sweep Broken Bow, 3-0, for their first win this season on Saturday.
Watch for results along with other details in Friday’s Gazette.
All the Bison leaders from Tuesday’s varsity match.
KILLS: Kori Rippen 12, Graceyn Wiemers 11, Joy Rippen 8, Leah Spencer 5. ASSISTS: Jaci Meyers 32, Ashlyn Randel 2, Joy Rippen 2.
BLOCKS: Jaci Meyers 1. BLOCK ASSISTS: Gracelyn Wiemers 6, Meyers 6.
DIGS: Joy Rippen 23, Bailee Fawver 17, Meyers 16, Randel 13.
ACE SERVES: Josslyn Claflin 2, Kori Rippen 2, Meyers 2. SERVE RECEIVES: Bailee Fawver 33, Randel 21, Joy Rippen 18, Bailee Foster 12.