The Blair volleyball team faced top-5 competition in pool play and lost its fifth-place match Saturday during the Eastern Midlands Conference Tournament.
The Bears went 0-2 in pool play against Class B No. 2 Elkhorn — the tourney hosts — and No. 4 Waverly before dropping a 25-10, 25-7 game against Bennington. Coach Brandi Nicholson's team is 1-19 this season.
BHS opened against the Antlers with Carley Damme and Schuyler Roewert scoring early, first set points. Freshman Reece Ewoldt tipped the ball over the net and to the floor to pull the Bears within 18-10, but Elkhorn went on to win 25-13.
The Bears then jumped out to a 3-1 lead during the second set before the Antlers once again took control. A late Damme kill got BHS to 10 points, but they fell 25-10.
Waverly then earned a 2-0 sweep, 25-13, 25-13, sending the Bears to the fifth-place match eventually won by the Badgers of Bennington.
Bears earn set win against Gross
Omaha Gross bested BHS on Thursday at Blair High School, but not before the home team earned just its third set victory of the season.
The Cougars won the second, third and fourth 25-14, 25-22 and 25-19 after the Bears claimed the first 25-20. With the overall win, Gross improved to 5-15, while BHS fell to 1-16.
Before Thursday, the Bears had only won sets during the Arlington Invitational against the host Eagles. Coach Nicholson's team swept that match, 2-0.
