Shayla Meyer (12) digs out the ball for the Superior Wildcats during the state volleyball tournament at Lincoln's Pinnacle Bank Arena Thursday. Superior was eliminated from tournament play with their three-set loss to Norfolk Catholic.
Sierra Blackburn (5) approaches her play against a Norfolk Catholic player with a smile during the state volleyball tournament at Lincoln's Pinnacle Bank Arena Thursday. Superior was eliminated from the event with their three-set loss.
Sadie Rempel (27) stretches out to keep the ball in play for Superior during the state volleyball tournament at Lincoln's Pinnacle Bank Arena Thursday. Superior fell to the eventual Class C-2 champion, Norfolk Catholic, in three-sets in the opening round.
Cailyn Barry (2) serves the ball for Superior to a waiting Norfolk Catholic team during the state volleyball tournament at Lincoln's Pinnacle Bank Arena Thursday.
The Superior drill team provided support for the Wildcat volleyball team during the state tournament at Lincoln's Pinnacle Bank Arena, Thursday. The team members who sported their personalized masks are (back row, from left) Nadia McMeen, Nevaeh Wilhelms, Lilly Edwards, (front) Bri Strickland, Haley Blackstone, Cailey Hansen and Zoie Cornell.
Ella Gardner (10) bumps up the ball for Superior teammates, Shayla Meyer (12) and Atlee Kobza (15), during the state volleyball tournament at Lincoln's Pinnacle Bank Arena Thursday.
Alexa Cox (3) goes for the kill against a Norfolk Catholic High School player during the state volleyball tournament at Lincoln's Pinnacle Bank Arena Thursday. Superior was eliminated with their three-set loss.
Thursday, the Lady Cats trekked to Lincoln for the fourth year in a row for the state volleyball tournament. They were matched up with Norfolk Catholic for their first round. Norfolk Catholic was seeded No. 2 in the C-2 bracket. Norfolk Catholic ended up playing in the championship match on Saturday.
This sports writer has been impressed with how much the team has improved over this season. There are still some fundamentals that need more improvement, but, WOW, it was great they played well enough to get to the state tournament.
Coach Blevins comments on the 2020 season, "This year's team played past all expectations and achieved their lofty goal to make it to the state tournament for the fourth year in a row. There were lots of unknowns going into this season after losing four senior starters from the previous year. However, the girls fought hard to develop their own identity and got to work. All 24 players improved so much from August to November. Sports are a platform for life, and these girls improved and supported one another both on and off the court in incredible ways. From winning the St. Cecilia tournament, clawing their way back from 19-24 with Sutton, conquering COVID and eventually falling to Norfolk Catholic, the Lady Cats played with heart and always left it all on the floor. I couldn't be more proud of this group of girls and coaches."
Scoring of the Norfolk Catholic vs. Superior tournament game: 22 to 25, 18 to 25 and 13 to 25.
Stats:
Cailyn Barry: two kills of 10 spikes, six serves, one dig, one set.
Alexa Cox: two spikes, one set.
Sierra Blackburn: five kills of 15 spikes, eight serves, one block, seven digs, 12 assists of 24 sets, three serve receives.
Ella Gardner: one kill of four spikes, three aces of 12 serves, four digs, 12 assists of 42 sets.
Emma Henderson: two blocks.
Shayla Meyer: 18 kills of 37 spikes, one ace of eight serves, one block, 20 digs, one assist of eight sets, 17 serve receives.
Atlee Kobza: seven serves, seven digs, one assist of three sets, 19 serve receives.
Madison Heusinkvelt: two kills of 10 spikes, four blocks, four digs, one set.
Sadie Rempel: two aces of nine serves, one dig, one set, seven serve receives.
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