The Superior Express -

It's a narrow, dangerous road to the State Tournament for most all High School Sporting events. Volleyball, as much as any sport.

The L-N Lady Raiders was one of just 16 Class D-2 High School across the state to qualify for the final step of the journey. Early last Saturday morning they traveled to Arapahoe to play Maywood-Hayes Center (MHC) for the District championship.

The No. 3 seeded MHC won this District game with a score of 25-10, 25-14, 25-15. The victory will give them the number three seed at the State Tournament as well.

The Lady Raiders were just not able to get any consistent offense going throughout the game. MHC made the most of their attacking game averaging over 12 Kill a Set.

Set No. 1: MHC used an early nine point scoring run and a late seven point scoring run to secure the first Set victory. Aleah and Katelyn both had Kills that helped stem the MHC scoring runs.

Set No. 2: This Set was more competitive and Emma served a couple of Aces early to help L-N keep the score close up to the mid-point of the Set.

Set No. 3: Once again the Raiders were competitive in the early part of this Set. Emma recorded her sixth Kill for the game making the score 13-16. L-N had a number of errant hits that gave the Set and Game victory to MHC.

The loss ended the season for L-N and gave the girls a season record of 17 wins and 15 losses. They ended the season with a four-game win streak before this District final.

Emma Epley goes high for a kill attempt in the sub-district game against Franklin early. Epley has been a leader for the team this season in kills and ace serves. (Photo courtesy of Denise Mazour.)

We have often noted the girls do play a challenging schedule most years and this year was no different. To show that challenge all we need do is point out that ten of the Raiders opponents for the year earned their way into Sub-district games and then five of the opponents earned the right to play in the State Tournament.

The Lady Raiders will lose four Seniors from the team for next season. They are: Aleah Heikkinen, Emma Epley, Elsa Jorgensen and Kylie Beard. We will miss watching them play next year.

(Kills, Ace, Digs) Sydney Biltoft 4, 0, 2; Aleah Heikkinen 9, 0, 16; Emma Epley 6, 2, 9; Elsa Jorgensen 0, 0, 10; Katelyn Mazour 2, 0, 7; Hanna Skinner 0, 0, 8; Kylie Beard 1, 0, 1; Kara Menke 0, 0, 0.

Assists: Katelyn 10, Emma 8, Elsa 2.

Blocks: (Solo-Assist) Sydney 1-1, Aleah 0-1, Kylie 0-2.

Serve Receive: Elsa 37-39, Sydney 5-6, Aleah 7-7, Emma 7-8, Katelyn 1-1, Hanna 7-8.