The Fort Calhoun volleyball team earned a dominant 2-0 win to start and finished third overall at its home tournament Saturday.
The Pioneers — who went 3-1 on the day — kicked off the eight-team bracket against Conestoga, earning 25-10 and 25-11 scores with effective play at all levels.
“It really gave us momentum to push through for today,” senior Ellie Lienemann said.
“It definitely lifts our spirits up,” setter Rianna Wells added. “It gives us really good momentum for the whole tournament going forward.”
FCHS jumped out to a 10-2 lead against the Cougars and dominated throughout the opening set of the morning. Lienemann's ace gave the Pioneers a 23-9 lead before hits by Olivia Quinlan and Raegen wells got coach James Slie's team to 25. Quinlan took a set from Rianna Wells and notched a kill from her spot in the middle, while Raegen Wells bested a Conestoga block for match point.
A Lienemann ace and Grace Genoways spike highlighted the midway point of the second set before the Pioneers' Alivia Cullen scored four her teams last five points to win the match.
FCHS lost its next match against Johnson-Brock, but bested South Sioux City and Omaha Concordia in consolation bracket play to earn third. The Pioneers topped the Cardinals 25-21, 25-17 and the Mustangs 25-20, 18-25, 25-15.
The third-place finish capped a productive week for Lienemann, who committed to play college volleyball at Morningside College in the days leading up to the tournament.
“I'm really excited to go to the next level, and I'm happy to finish out here and really give everything I can,” the outside hitter said.
Fort Calhoun (8-9 overall) next plays Thursday when it hosts a triangular with Louisville and Yutan in attendance.
PIONEER LINE SCORES
Saturday
Fort Calhoun 2, Omaha Concordia 1
OC (6-14) 20 25 15 — 1
FCHS (8-9) 25 18 25 — 2
Fort Calhoun 2, South Sioux City 0
SSC (5-22) 21 17 — 0
FCHS (7-9) 25 25 — 2
Johnson-Brock 2, Fort Calhoun
JB (13-7) 25 25 — 2
FCHS (6-9) 19 15 — 0
Fort Calhoun 2, Conestoga 0
CON (2-20) 10 11 — 0
FCHS (6-8) 25 25 — 2
BHS goes 0-3 at Columbus Classic
Coach Brandi Nicholson's Blair volleyball team traveled to compete in the Columbus Classic on Saturday.
At that tournament, the Bears fell to 1-14 this season with three-straight losses. They opened with a 25-16, 25-13 defeat to Norfolk Catholic before Centennial bested them 25-16, 25-15.
In the seventh-place match, Beatrice topped BHS in two sets.
“We just ran out of juice,” Nicholson said.
Blair next plays tonight at 7 as it hosts Norris. The freshman and junior varsity volleyball teams compete at 5 and 6 p.m., respectively.
BEAR LINE SCORES
Saturday
Beatrice 2, Blair (1-14) 0
Centennial 2, Blair 0
BHS(1-13) 16 15 — 0
CHS 25 25 — 2
Norfolk Catholic 2, Blair 0
NC 25 25 — 0
BHS (1-12) 16 13 — 0
Eagles go 2-1 at Raymond Central tourney
The Arlington volleyball team earned notable results Saturday during a Raymond Central tournament, winning two matches and finishing fifth overall.
The Eagles improved to 5-14 overall with wins against Fairbury and Crete after losing their opener 2-0 to the host Mustangs. Coach Katarina Nelson's team bested the Jeffs 17-25, 25-21 and 25-19 before sweeping past the Cardinals 25-22, 25-14.
After AHS lost its first set to Fairbury, it won four-straight races to 25. Nelson specifically noted strong play from Kali Thomsen, Chase Andersen and Kate Miller against the Jeffs.
“Actually, everyone played on all cylinders,” the coach said. “Super proud.”
The Eagles next play 7 tonight back at Raymond Central.
EAGLE LINE SCORES
Saturday
Arlington 2, Crete 0
CHS 22 14 — 0
AHS (5-14) 25 25 — 2
Arlington 2, Fairbury 1
AHS (4-14) 17 25 25 — 2
FHS 25 21 19 — 1
Raymond Central 2, Arlington 0
AHS (3-14) 14 19 — 0
RC (14-6) 25 25 — 2
