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Roughriders just loving this run as post-season hits next week
MCCOOK, Neb. — The Graff Events Center once again looked like one big Bartley-Indianola town party and why not?
Southwest fans had just seen their Roughriders score their school-record 30th win with a well-earned RPAC “repeat” title over always feisty Maywood-Hayes Center Tuesday night.
“It (the atmosphere) was just amazing with all our fans,” junior 6’ twin sisters Kyra and Annikka Nelms agreed following the 25-22, 20-25, 26-24, 25-18 victory.
Kyra clobbered 23 kills and Anikka was also “double K” efficient with 12.
Both sisters equally admired cousin/senior Atleigh Nelms as she stayed super cool while adding 14 kills, 20 digs, two blocks and two ace serves.
Atleigh put down the clinching point of that opening 25-22 set.
“She’s little more calm and even than either of us,” the twins admitted. “Oh yeah, we just love her.”
Coach Kim Barnett has seen that common theme — not just during this 30-0 season or two state tournaments.
“I’ve known this group since they were little,” Barnett said after continuing to build on her 200th career coaching win achieved earlier this month. “What do I see? They all just love volleyball. They just love the game. They’re always playing.”
Barnett pointed to other Southwest players like senior libero Allison VanPelt saving a tem-best 23 digs.
Seniors Payton Truksa and Anastasia Gallegos nearly divided another 30 saves.
Class D-1 No. 1 Southwest needed every effort because 22-8 May-Hay certainly was never backing down.
So many Wolves stepped up in the spotlight match whether it was seniors Aubrey Broz and Reagan Stengel; juniors Karissa Stengel, Blayklee Farr and Grace Loomis; or sophomore top hitter Caylie Softley and Addison Richards.
Softley’s super save set up the finish of May-Hay’s 25-20 victory.
The Wolves were oh-so-close to taking set three. In fact, a somehow disputed in-out call gave Southwest its 25-24 lead before finishing that narrow 26-24 triumph.
The Roughriders mostly controlled that final fourth set and avoid another repeat of a five-set semifinal against rival Cambridge Monday. Southwest trailed that match, 2-0, before winning the last three sets.
“We were maybe a little tired from that one and started kind of slow,” Barnett said.
“Yeah, we were kind of struggling,” the Nelms twins added. “But we can relay on each other to pick things up.”
Plus freshman setter Aspen Billeter’s 48 assists fueled the attack after 52 on Monday.
Her swollen jammed finger wasn’t ruining the night.
“It’s so much to be part of this team,” she said. “These girls accepted me right away. Now we go for state.”