Match Of The Unbeatens: EV Faces Off With N-O Tuesday

It was a toss up. Elkhorn Valley or Neligh-Oakdale. 

Both volleyball teams came into Tuesday night's match with 2-0 records, but it was the visiting Lady Falcons who soared home with their undefeated record in tact. 

Elkhorn Valley earned a 4-set win over the Lady Warriors. EV rolled to a 25-17 win in the first set, but had to put up a fight to close the second set 25-23. In the third, Neligh-Oakdale jumped out to a 10-5 lead. The Lady Falcons battled back, but couldn't overcome the early deficit. The Lady Warriors claimed a 25-22 victory in the third. Elkhorn Valley regained their momentum in the fourth set, and went on to win 25-6 to claim the match.

"I thought we made some good adjustments on their strong outside attackers and had better ball control as the night went on," EV Coach Emily Vaughn said. "We struggled a little with our intensity in the third match after winning the first two, so I was happy to see us pick it back up in the fourth set."

Vaughn said she was "really proud" of her team's serving efforts. 

"We served 93 percent as a team, which was a huge improvement over last week's season opening matches," she said. 

N-O Coach Hannah Hoefer said she was pleased with the way the Lady Warriors started the match.

"I'm very happy with how the girls started in set 1, 2 and 3, playing aggressively and with passion," she said. "They were fighting for every play and taking chances. Defensively, we are scrappier than we have been in a long time."

Hoefer said Neligh-Oakdale "couldn't get anything going" in the fourth set.

"There were a lot of ball control errors, followed with a few mental mistakes, but ones we will use to practice and get better at," she said.

Danae Smith and Kinsley Klabenes led the Lady Warriors with 9 kills each, followed by Nikki Grosserode with 5. Chase Vleck tallied 4 kills and 7 solo blocks. Natilee Payne had 25 set assists and Kelsey Green recorded 23 digs on the night. 

The Lady Falcons also picked up a win over Neligh-Oakdale in junior varsity action, 25-16, 25-7 and 25-14.

On Thursday night, Neligh-Oakdale will host Fullerton (2-1) and Burwell (1-3) in a home triangular, and Elkhorn Valley will host Niobrara/Verdigre (2-2).