Revenge was definitely on the minds of the Alliance volleyball team Tuesday night in a home match up against Gering. The hometown Bulldogs had just 2 straight games versus their rivals at a tournament over the weekend and were looking to avenge their defeats. Alliance was 0 and 4 overall against Gering as the teams took the court. Sparked by a huge performance by senior Jaelynne Clarke the Dogs got that big win, downing Gering in four sets 25-22 15-25 25-16 25-20. Earlier in evening the Alliance reserve team got into the win column by defeating Gering 25-23 25 -22. Gering won the junior varsity game in three set 25 23 19-25 15-8.
In a very entertaining first set AHS grabbed a lead thanks to 2 kills by Clarke and one from Addison Weber. Another kill by Weber push the lead to 8 to 4. Gering answered the Alliance run with some strong net play which tied the score at 13. Ace spikes by Josie Sanders and again from Weber help the Bulldogs surge ahead at 21 to 18. The set came to a close with 3 more kills by Clarke and Alliance winning 25 to 22.
Set 2 belonged to the visitors from Gering. The guests broke a 4 all tie and took a 14 to 8 advantage midway through the set. Another kill from Clarke would end the streak but Gering came back with 6 to 3 run to go up 20 to 12. Late points by Alliance’s Shyla Salcido got the Dogs close but it wasn’t enough. Set 2 Gering 25 Alliance 15
Alliance received solid work from Weber, Clarke, Salcido, and Kaiah Adams to make things competitive in the early minutes of set three. Tied at 8 senior Regan Braun stepped up 9 straight points from the serving line as Alliance took the momentum. During the streak the Bulldogs got kills from Weber and Clarke. Gering got the score to 20 to 16 but could get no closer. More kills by Clarke and Adams and points by Salcido finished the set with AHS winning 25 to 16.
Set four was a roller coaster with both teams enjoying brief lead. The match was also tied at 10,13,14,15, and 16. Once again the hometown Dogs got points, kills, and blocks from Clarke, Weber, Sanders, and Adams to keep Gering close. Following another kill by Weber, junior Macy Brooks went to serving line and fired seven in a row to help Alliance surge ahead 23 to 16. The match came to an end with a kill by Clarke and Alliance winning set four 25 to 20
Gering 22 25 16 20
AHS 25 15 25 25
Clarke finished her big night with 22 kills and many blocks. The Dogs also got an excellent performance from setter Kinley Pfeiffer who scored 9 points and had many super assists. Braun led AHS with 10 points while Weber ended with 8 kills. Tuesday was also senior night. This year’s team has 5 outstanding seniors -Clarke, Braun, Pfeiffer, Kenley Henthorn, and Haylie Winter.