NVC: EPPJ Moves On To Semis; Warriors Top Falcons

It was all Antelope County in Elgin on Monday night in the first two rounds of the Niobrara Valley Conference tournament. 

EPPJ won its 11th straight match as the Wolfpack downed Neligh-Oakdale in straight sets, winning 25-14, 25-15, 25-12. Paige Meis and Grace Henn were unstoppable at the net with 13 and 11 kills respectively. Defensively, Calli Krebs and Nicki Payne were all over the court as they combined for 32 digs. Allyson Wemhoff added another 14 individually, along with her 20 set assists.

The most even match of the night saw Neligh-Oakdale upset Elkhorn Valley 25-17, 25-19, 23-25, 26-24. The back-and-forth battle easily could have went five sets, but the Warriors pulled out the win in a balanced fourth set.

Hannah Ollendick led the Falcons with 10 kills and 24 digs while Amber Miller picked up 20 digs and had 23 set assists. 

The NVC semifinals will also be at Elgin Public. No. 1 Ewing will take on No. 5 West Holt at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday with No. 2 EPPJ playing No 3 North Central at 7:30 p.m.

Elgin Public/Pope John 25 25 25
Neligh-Oakdale 14 15 12
EPPJ:  Allyson Wemhoff 2a, 14d, 20sa; Calli Krebs 17d, 1sa; Lydia Behnk 7k, 1b; Kaylee Martinsen 6k, 1a, 1b, 3d, 1sa; Anna Heilhecker 6; Paige Meis 13k, 9d;  Grace Henn 11k, 2d;  Nicki Payne 2k, 15d, 11 sa.

Neligh-Oakdale 25 25 23 26
Elkhorn Valley 17 19 25 24
Elkhorn Valley: Hannah Ollendick 10k, 24d;  Sierra Rystrom 6k, 1b, 9d; Sadie Smutny 1k, 1a, 4d, 1sa; Olivia Nall 5k, 1a, 1b, 23d; Kirstyn Evans 1d; Bri Werner 1k, 2a, 9d; Jasmine Wiese 18d;  Amber Miller 5k, 2a, 20d, 23sa.