Wolves sweep Broncos in first state tourney match

LINCOLN, Neb. — Maywood-Hayes Center's balanced attack was too much for Mullen during a D-2 state quarterfinal sweep 25-23, 25-11, 25-22 at the Pinnacle Bank Arena today.

The Wolves (29-0 record) delivered their 28th sweep this season after erasing a 22-18 Mullen lead in their opening set. They'll move into Friday's D-2 semifinals where No. 3 M-HC will take on No. 2 Chambers-Wheeler Central (32-1).

This match should begin around 10:30 a.m. or 11 a.m. following the first semifinal at PBA.

Mullen senior Samantha Moore drilled 13 kills, but the Broncos (28-6 final record) suffered through 10 service errors according to available stats.

Official numbers will be posted later. Senior Jaycee Widener powered the Wolves' attack yet again with her final two kills finishing that third set.

However, junior Stevie Handsaker delivered one of her best matches all season. She ripped several huge kills at crucial moments to help the Wolves re-take momentum.

Handsaker's slam of a free ball started her team's comeback to close t he first set. She also served an ace to create the 22-22 deadlock. Sophomore Alexis Wood hammered the final point down for this 25-23 Wolves win.

Coach Kory Rohde's Wolves roared to a 6-0 lead starting that second set. Sophomore Ashlin Broz blasted the first point and also served an ace.

Classmate Kiley Hejtmanek's ace made it 15-4 and the Woves were never threatened again. Widener walloped the 25 point of this triumph.

Handsaker crushed two more kills for an 8-3 lead to open set three. The Broncos recovered and closed within 12-11 until committing another crucial serving error.

They caught the Wolves at 17-17 only to serve another volleyball into that Pinnacle Bank net.

Hansen's reported sixth kill of the match made it 21-19 before Widener added three clinching points.

Amazingly, Wauneta-Palisade remains the only team to win one set from M-HC all season. Those Broncos built a 2-0 set lead before Wolves rallied to win in five.

Watch for more details about Maywood-Hayes Center's historic first state tournament win on Friday.