One of the Panhandle’s top teams-the Ogallala Indians- came to town on Thursday to tangle with the Bulldogs from Alliance in volleyball action. The hosts downed the Indians in the opening set but dropped the last three, losing 21 to 25, 25 to 15, 25 to 13, and 25 to 18. Earlier in the evening Ogallala defeated the Dogs in two set in the reserve match. Alliance was victorious in the junior varsity contest, winning 25 to 13, 25 to 23.
In front of a nice crowd and loud student body-the Dog pound- AHS started the game with 3 straight points thanks to kills by Jaelynne Clarke and Josie Sanders. From there play was even. The would get ace spikes by Addison Weber and Kaylee Henthorn to knot the score at 7 all. The teams then traded points with the contest being tied at 11,13, 14, 15, 17, 18, and 19. During that stretch AHS would get points by Taylee Thompsons and more kills by Clarke, Weber, and Sanders. Another ace spike by Weber gave the Bulldogs the momentum as the Dogs went on to win set one 25 to 21.
Senior Regan Braun opened action in set 2 with a kill, giving the Bulldogs the early advantage. Ace blocks by Clarke and more kills by the Alliance senior helped keep the Indians close. The game was tied at 10 and 11 before Ogallala surged ahead. The guest would score 7 in a row to make the score 20 to 13. Another kill by Clarke was not enough. Set 2 was won by the Indians 25 to 15.
Ogallala used the set 2 momentum to garner the early advantage in the third. The visitors roared to an early 8 to 2 margin. A kill by Clarke and an ace serve by Sanders would stop the run but the Indians answered right back with 5 straight to move ahead 13 to 4. A kill by Alliance’s Kinley Pfeiffer and another spike by Clarke closed the gap to 18 to 12. Unfortunately it was as close as the Dogs would get. The final of set 3 Ogallala 25 Alliance 13.
More super plays by Sanders, Clarke, Weber, and Braun helped the hosts stay close in the fourth. With the Dogs down 7 to 6 Ogallala went on the offensive. The Indians reeled off the game’s next 7 points as the Dog deficit went to 14 to 6. Four more kills by Clarke were not enough. Ogallala won set 4 25 to 18 and the contest.
OG 21 25 25 25
AHS 25 15 13 18
Finals stats saw Clarke end with 11 kills and 4 points. Pfeiffer led Alliance with 9 and with many excellent sets. Other stats had Weber finishing with6 points and 5 kills and Sanders tallying 4 kills and 3 points.