Up to block an attempted hit from Sutherland were Sophie Spady (10) and Bryn McNair. Chase County beat Sutherland in the SPVA finals to reclaim the conference title. (Johnson Publications photo)
The Lady Longhorns are elated after securing match point against Sutherland, returning the SPVA Conference title to Chase County. (Johnson Publications photo)
Seniors on the team, from left, Mallie McNair, Ashley Bubak and Sophie Spady, accept the SPVA championship plaque from A.D. Troy Hauxwell. (Johnson Publications photo)
Chase County reclaims SPVA Conference volleyball title
After a runner-up finish last year, Chase County reclaimed the SPVA Conference volleyball title Saturday.
After a first round bye as the top seed, the Lady Longhorns went on to defeat Hershey and Sutherland in straight sets to take the championship.
In 2017, Chase County defied its No. 5 seed, and went on to win the conference title. Last year, the Lady Longhorns were runners-up to North Platte St. Pat’s.
“We played pretty good at the tournament,” said Coach Sam Kennedy.
However, she said they started off a “little rough” against Sutherland in the finals, struggling with serve receive. They trailed by as much as six points in the second set.
“We realized we needed to pick it up to be successful,” she said.
And they did just that.
With both matches won in straight sets again Saturday, Chase County hasn’t lost a game since Sept. 28.
That’s 27 straight set victories and a winning streak of 13 matches (not counting Tuesday’s match this week) en route to their 21-7 record.
Saturday’s championship is a good boost going into subdistricts next week, Kennedy said.
“It gives us confidence, but we know we still have to take care of business,” she said.
Chase County will enter next week’s C1-11 subdistricts as the top seed. Official brackets will be out today (Thursday) but the NSAA point standings as they stood Monday weren’t expected to change Chase County’s No. 1 seed after Tuesday’s matches were figured in.
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