Undefeated Warriors Sweep Home Opener For 3-0 Start

Most of Neligh-Oakdale volleyball players were in elementary school the last time the Warriors bounced out to a 3-0 start to the season, making Thursday’s home sweep a step forward for the program.

“It’s a good feeling to start off 3-0. It’s been a while since Neligh-Oakdale done that,” coach Hannah Hoefer said.

Playing on their home court for the first time this season, the Warriors defeated Santee 25-8, 25-12 before topping Boyd County 25-15, 25-20.

Hoefer said her defense is hustling and picking up balls to keep plays alive. Senior libero Kristen Snodgrass had 29 digs on the night to lead all players on the court.
 
“I’m very impressed with our defense. We really hustle on the court," she said. "We run a lot of 3-on-3 drills in our practice room, and that really helps bring it to the court. We’re playing balls to the back wall and not giving up pursuing these balls.”

In the nightcap against Boyd County, the Warriors took control early and never lost that momentum. Neligh-Oakdale ended the first set with traditional 1-2-3 volleyball. Shelby Pitzer passed a Spartan serve to setter Haley Kerkman, who found Trinity Kurpgeweit at the net for the kill to go up 24-15. Claire Whitesel then ended the set with an ace serve.

The second set was more of the same as Kerkman and Whitesel took turns setting the ball to an entourage of hitters in the front row. The match ended with a service error by the Spartans.  Kerkman, who is also a setter in the 6-2 offense, lead the Warriors with nine kills and 13 set assists. Amanda Dietz had eight kills and three blocks.

Against Santee, the Warrior trio of Kerkman, Pitzer and Dietz each put down five kills in the win. Kristen Snodgrass picked up a dozen digs while Kerkman and Claire Whitesel had 10 and eight set assists, respectively.

“It’s all nine of them,” Hoefer said. “It’s not one person giving the effort. It’s really all nine hustling and contributing to the defensive side of the game.”

The Warriors will face a big test next week as they travel to Tilden for an all-Antelope County matchup with Elkhorn Valley, which is also undefeated at 4-0.

“We’re going to really focus on our offense next week,” Hoefer said. “We have to makes sure we keep our team chemistry on the court and stay focused.”

Neligh-Oakdale 25 25
Boyd County 15 20
Neligh-Oakdale: Amanda Dietz 8k, 2b, 3d; Haley Kerkman 9k, 13sa, 4d; Shelby Pitzer 5k, 4d; Trinity Kurpgeweit 2k, 1a, 10d; Brooke Frey 1k, 1sa, 3d; Kristen Snodgrass 3sa, 17d; Paige Fustenau 5d; Claire Whitesel 8sa, 1a, 4d.
Boyd County: Kalli Kayl 9k, 1b; Jacey Hilkemann 1b; Mariah Smalley 1k, 1a, 4d; Lauryn Hoffman 2k, 1sa; Audrey Mohr 2k; Alex Brestel 5sa, 1d; Hannah Drueke 6sa, 2d; Sydney Atkinson 7d; Heather Atkinson 1k, 3d.

Neligh-Oakdale 25 25
Santee 8 12
Neligh-Oakdale: Amanda Dietz 5k; Haley Kerkman 5k, 10sa, 3a; Shelby Pitzer 5k, 1d; Brooke Frey 2k, 1d; Trinity Kurpgeweit 1a, 8d; Kristen Snodgrass 1a, 12d; Paige Furstenau 5d; Claire Whitesel 8sa, 5a.

Boyd County 25 25
Santee 10 16
Boyd County: Kalli Kayl 4k, 4a; Jacey Hilkemann 2k; Mariah Smalley 1k, 1d; Lauryn Hoffman 1k, 1sa; Audrey Mohr 6k; Alex Brestel 5sa; Hannah Drueke 6sa, 2a; Sydney Atkinson 1a, 3d; Heather Atkinson 1k, 1d.