Roughriders reach Sutherland title match; Trojans triumph

SUTHERLAND, Neb. — The Southwest Roughriders were just three points from beating powerhouse Overton in Saturday’s Sutherland volleball tournament finals.

Southwest (13-4 record) swept two matches earlier starting with a 25-16, 25-10 triumph over always feisty Hitchcock County.

The Falcons hung tough behind freshman Asia Homma’s three kills , but Southwest countered with five each from senior Bailey Truksa and freshman Kyra Nelms.

They served 10 aces with junior Bryn Lampe’s four and Truksa dealing three.

Southwest later bounced a tough 10-5 South Loup team 25-12, 25-14 behind junior Bryn Lampe’s six kills and four ace serves.

Overton (17-1) needed every bit of Jolee Ryan’s 19 kills to offset a terrific Roughrider combo of senior Caylin Barnett (14 kills) and Bailey Truksa (10).

Sophomore Atleigh Nelms served three of eight more Roughrider aces. Truksa and Nelms both added 13 digs with another 10 from sophomore Allison VanPelt.

Lampe delivered 25 assists.

Trojans sweep

CAMBRIDGE, Neb. — The Cambridge volleyball team reached 14-1 on Friday before cheering their football team to victory that evening.

Junior Jalen Kent crushed 14 kills and senior Jacey Kent clobbereed 10 to lead a 25-15, 25-11, 25-7 home win over visiting Arapahoe.

The Trojans were lethal from all angles against a solid 7-8 Arapahoe team.

Sophomore Brylyn Springer jumped into the fray to add eight kills and consistent classmate Erin Johnson jolted seven past Warrior defenders.

Defensively, senior Brelle Miller and junior Bailey Ahlemeyer both made 14 digs for the McCook Bison Invite champions.

Junior Leah Downer added 12 digs as did Jacey Kent, who also served three aces.

Arapahoe countered with seven kills from senior Emerson Swanson and senior Maddie Jeffcoat’s three. Junior Naomi Gutierrez stepped up for two stuff blocks. Junior Berkley Warner and soph Rylee Bahe made 10 digs each.