EPPJ Is Last Antelope County Team Left In NVC Tourney

Elgin Public/Pope John is the only Antelope County team still alive in the Niobrara Valley Conference Tournament.

The No. 6 Lady Cyclones swept No. 11 Niobrara/Verdigre, 26-24, 25-17 and 25-18, before falling to the host team in the first NVC tourney game at Elgin. "What a fun game to be part of. It was the fifth time this season that these two teams met, and it could have been anyone's game," O-C Coach Shelly Mlnarik said. "Our girls game out and won a close first set, but when they got their feet under them the second two sets were awesome. We came out hitting the ball hard and not letting many balls drop. We had a great night serve receiving!"

The win advanced Clearwater-Orchard to the quarterfinals to face No. 3 Elgin Public/Pope John. The four-set match went to EPPJ, 25-20, 24-26, 25-19 and 25-16. 

"I thought our girls put together a really good game," O-C Coach Shelly Mlnarik said. "We fought hard to the end. We did a lot of really good things that will need to carry through the week in practice and take into sub-district play on Monday in Neligh!"

The Lady Wolfpack earned a spot in the semi-finals on Tuesday to play No. 2 St. Mary's in Bartlett. The game is set to begin at 7:30 p.m.

No. 5 CWC defeated Neligh-Oakdale (#12) in three sets, 25-13, 25-16 and 25-21, before knocking off No. 4 Ewing 25-20, 25-23 and 25-14. CWC will play top-seeded Stuart in the semi-finals at Barlett Tuesday night. The game is set for 6:15 p.m.

No. 10 Elkhorn Valley knocked off No. 7 North Central in straight sets, 25-15, 25-20 and 25-21, before falling to No. 2 St. Mary's, 25-7, 25-11 and 25-13.

The NVC consolation game (for 3rd place) will be played at 6:15 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31 in the O'Neill High School. The championship game will follow at 7:30 p.m.

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