In the very first match of semifinal Friday, #1 Southwest and #5 EMF battled in Pinnacle Bank Arena. The winner advances to the D1 State Championship match at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. EMF pulled off the upset as they handed Southwest their first loss of the season. The Bobcats defeated Southwest, 3-1, to advance to the championship game, and Southwest will play for 3rd and 4th.
In set one, EMF jumped out in front first, 4-3, but the Roughriders didn't let that last long as they took the lead back 6-4. Southwest was controlling the net and forcing errors from EMF as they were able to extend their lead to 11-8. EMF took a timeout when they trailed 14-9, but out of that timeout, the momentum shifted. The Roughriders could feel EMF creeping back into the set and called a timeout with the 19-17 lead. Attacking errors began to pile up for Southwest, but they still maintained control of the set as they forced a Bobcat timeout with the 23-20 lead. EMF pulled within one and forced Southwest to use a timeout, 24-23. EMF kept their foot on the gas and stole set one from the Roughriders, 26-24.
In set two, EMF took the 4-2 lead early. Kaydence Haase for EMF was dominating the net. She helped EMF take the 6-3 lead, but Southwest was able to tie the match up at 7-7. The Roughriders took the lead and extended it to 10-8, but the Bobcats tied it back up at 11-11. The teams exchanged attacks and were tied at 12-12, but EMF started to get hot and pulled away 16-13. Service errors and hitting errors started to really pile up for Southwest, and EMF capitalized, taking the second set, 25-19, and the lead, 2-0.
Southwest took the lead early in set three as they led 3-0. EMF tied it at 3-3 but the Roughriders kept pushing and forced the Bobcat timeout, 7-3. EMF closed the gap and pulled within one, 8-7, but Southwest stayed strong and forced EMF to use a timeout at 16-10. Kyra Nelms took over the net and helped pull the Roughriders to a 25-17 set win. Southwest was able to stay alive as they trailed 2-1.
EMF took the early lead in set four, but it wasn't by much, 5-4. Southwest had some errors, and the Bobcats capitalized as they extended their lead to 8-5. The Roughriders were able to even the match up at 9-9. The Bobcats found a new gear and began to pull away, forcing Southwest to use a timeout at 15-11. EMF stayed aggressive and sharp and forced the Roughriders to use another timeout at 19-13. The Bobcats closed out the set, 25-13, to win the match, 3-1.
With the win, #5 EMF advances to the championship match and will face #3 Superior at 11:00 A.M. at the Bob Devaney Sports Center, and #1 Southwest will face #2 BDS in the consolation match at 1:00 P.M. at Lincoln Northstar.
EMF was led by Kaydence Haase with 27 kills, four aces, and 12 digs; Keila Ricenbaw had five kills, three blocks, and four digs; Miley Ricenbaw had five kills and nine digs; Lily Jefferies had 14 digs and 33 assists, and Taylin Schluter had 25 digs.
Southwest was led by Kyra Nelms with 24 kills, Atleigh Nelms had 10 kills and 16 digs, Anastasia Gallegoes had 10 digs, Allison VanPelt had 21 digs, and Aspen Billeter had 38 assists.
EMF improves to 22-10, and Southwest falls to 34-1.
Check out our highlights from the match brought to you by Prairie Girl Candle Company.
