Wolfpack Top Huskies To Advance To District Final

Elgin Public/Pope John is just one win away from a second straight trip to the state volleyball tournament.

The Wolfpack had to battle back from a one-set deficit against the upset-minded West Holt Huskies but managed to churn out three straight wins to take the subdistrict championship 17-25, 25-20, 25-22, 25-19.

The two teams matched up well, with West Holt countering EPPJ's high-powered attack with stingy defense and strong serving. The first set started a bit sloppy for both teams, before a 10-2 run by the Huskies gave them the set win. In the second set, it took some time for the Wolfpack to take over the momentum, but eventually they were able to pull away to take the win. The third set was back and forth affair, with each team taking the lead multiple times throughout. However, a tough block from Lydia Behnk sparked the Wolfpack to a victory. The fourth set saw EPPJ string together a number of scoring runs en route to the win.

Behnk led the Wolfpack with 12 kills on the night. Paige Meis accounted for 11 more and Grace Henn put down 10. Those three kept setters Nicki Payne and Allyson Wemhoff busy, as the two combined for 34 assists on the night. Kaylee Martinsen did much of her scoring from the service line, putting down three aces. 

Defensively, the Wolfpack were led by Behnk and Martinsen's three blocks. Wemhoff brought up 17 digs, Payne recorded 14, Calli Krebs had 13, Meis had 12 and Anna Heilhecker had 10.

The Wolfpack will now take on Elkhorn Valley, with the winner qualifying for the state volleyball tournament. The game will be played Thursday in Neligh at 7 p.m.