Stuart Tops EPPJ Netters At NVC Tournament; Wolfpack Now 23-5

NELIGH — Elgin Public-Pope John won the first game, then Stuart came on strong to claim the victory in the semi-final round of the NVC Volleyball Tournament Tuesday night at Neligh/Oakdale High School.
The Wolfpack defeated the Lady Broncos 25 to 20 in the first game, then dropped the next three by scores of 25-18, 25-16 and 25-21.
By virtue of the loss, the Wolfpack will play in the consolation finals Friday at 6:15 p.m. at Niobrara.
In the first game against Stuart, the Wolfpack had things going their way. With the score tied 15-all, EPPJ took advantage of two Stuart miscues from the service line to build a lead. A kill by Amy Nelson and an ace tip by Liz Selting boosted the lead to 20 to 17.
Selting added another kill and Terri Seier added two more, making the score 23 to 18. A service winner from Selting gave the Wolfpack game point. Stuart’s Jaden Schafer then served out, giving EPPJ the game.
In game two, the score was tied at 10-all when Stuart went on a five-to-zero run to take control of the game. Stuart’s lead grew to 10 points, 23 to 13, before the Wolfpack made a late charge, highlighted by back-to-back ace serves from Selting. However, it was too little, too late.
Stuart dominated action in game three, building an 18 to 10 lead before Nelson came in with a kill at the net. Stuart’s lead grew to 11 points. The Wolfpack cut it back to nine as Jordan Mescher had an ace serve and Nelson added another kill.
In game four, the score was tied at 18-all, then Stuart put together a five-point run. Nicole Beckman’s service point, an ace tip from Parks for another point, and an ace block for a sideout were all the points the Wolfpack could put on the scoreboard as Stuart closed out the match. Complete stats will be in next week’s paper.
First round action
The Wolfpack opened the tournament Monday night with a three-game victory over North Central. Scores were 25-17, 25-22 and 25-9.
Wolfpack hitters were 81 of 98 in attacks with 38 kills. Leading the way was Selting with 13 kills, Parks had 11. Seier added seven followed by Amy Nelson with four and Jill Schindler with three.
EPPJ was in double figures with ace serves with 12. Selting had five ace serves, Parks recorded three, Baylee Wemhoff had two while Jordan Mescher and Nelson each had one. On the night, the Wolfpack missed just three serves (70/73).
At the net, Wolfpack blockers recorded 11 solo blocks, led by Seier with four, Schindler had three, Parks added two while Nelson and Paige Meis each had one.
Mescher led the team in digs with 17.
Parks had a team-high 13 set assists in the match, Wemhoff added 10, Schindler was credited with three and Meis had two.