Powerful Renegades stop Broncos' state quest

Wauneta-Palisade freshman Peyton Cox (left) sends a shot with plans to get past the Chambers-Wheeler Central Renegades in Saturday’s Class D-1 district title match at Minden High School.

Diane Stamm/Johnson Publications

MINDEN, Neb. — Chambers-Wheeler Central Renegades showed why they are Class D-1’s No. 2 state tournament seed with a district finals win over Wauneta-Palisade on Saturday.

Senior Haylee Sandman drilled nine kills during her final high school match as the Broncos posted a 16-11 record. No fewer than five of those losses were against No. 3 Maywood-Hayes Center or CWC.

The Renegades reached 31-1 with a 25-9, 25-21, 25-17 sweep at Minden High School. They could face the M-HC Wolves in Friday’s state semifinals at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln.

Freshman Peyton Cox crushed another five kills while sophomore Cali Cox totaled 11 assists to also lead W-P.

Senior Payton Yearous served the Broncos’ only ace.

Junior Alexa Sandman did her best to stop Renegade shots from hitting the court with a Bronco-high seven digs.

Haylee Sandman and Peyton Cox each made six digs.

Alexa Sandman’s 19 serve receives were another Bronco best. They reached the district finals as a D-1 wildcard.