On Saturday, October 5, the Nemaha Central eighth grade volleyball team headed to Jeff West to play in the Big 7 volleyball tournament. The eighth grade girls prepared all week to finish their middle school season with some Big 7 wins.
The first pool play match was against Royal Valley. Royal Valley was ranked fourth in the tournament, and the NCMS volleyball team was ranked fifth. In the first set, the Thunder team came up short, losing to Royal Valley with a score of 25-23. The second set against Royal Valley, the Thunder team picked up their game and won with a score of 12-25. The teams had to play a third set to determine a winner. The Thunder team got the win in the final set with a commanding score of 3-15.
The second match NC played was against Holton. Holton was the #1 seed going into the tournament and the Thunder girls knew it would take great play on their part to beat them. Unfortunately, Holton got the best of the Thunder, winning the first set 25-18 and the second set 25-13. The Thunder team headed to the locker room to strategize and rally for their next match.
Sabetha was the next opponent for the NC team who was 1-1 so far. The Thunder team played better after lunch and they took the first set with a score of 25-17. The second set was a little closer, but the Thunder team defeated the Bluejays with a score of 25-20.
“We tried our hardest, and never gave up,” said Makenna Sloop.
In the semi-final match, NC was paired against Perry-Lecompton. Perry-Lecompton had been a solid team thus far, ranked #2 coming into the tournament and coming out of pool play undefeated. The first set, the Thunder team took the lead early. They ended up keeping the lead throughout the whole set. Anna Hermesch ended the set with an ace serve to give NC the win with a score of 25-14. The Thunder team was pumped and the great play continued into the second set. The Thunder team played their best set of the day, letting few balls hit the floor. They ended up winning with a score of 25-18.
NC earned a rematch with Holton in the championship match. The Thunder team got off to a slow start, allowing Holton’s first server 4 straight points. The Thunder team lost the first set with a score of 25-15. In the second set, the lead switched many times with Holton pulling ahead at the end. The Thunder team gave it their best shot, but Holton claimed the championship win with a score of 25-21.
In conclusion, the NC volleyball team had a pretty great weekend. They earned second place in the Big 7 tournament. The NC team showed much improvement throughout the season. They played hard from the beginning and never gave up, even when it got hard. Way to go Lady Thunder as the runner-up team in the Big 7 League tournament!
Click the link below for more picture of the Big 7 Volleyball tournament