East team takes 3-1 win in Wild West all-star match

    Despite spotting the first eight points of the first set, the East team came back to claim a 3-1 win over the West Sunday in McCook Community College’s Wild West All Star Volleyball Classic.
    After the West won the first set 25-23, the East came back to take the next three 25-23, 25-23, 25-16. The fourth set was tied at 11-11 until the East took charge of the game.
    Chase County’s Mallie McNair played on the West team, and was also picked the West’s Most Valuable Player.
    In the final volleyball game of her career, outside hitter McNair matched the MVP trophy her sister Taylin won in 2017. McNair will attend the University of Nebraska-Kearney and plans to play basketball, but is considering competing in track and field, as well.
    Also playing for the West was Michaela Dukes, a 2020 Wauneta-Palisade graduate.
    The West was coached by Clancy Hammond of North Platte High School.
    Lauryn Samuelson, middle hitter from Southern Valley High School, was named Most Valuable Player for the East.
    Winning East Coach Gina Sommer coaches at Maxwell.
    “We had a good choice of hitters, lacking a little in the middle, a ton on the outside, but had a couple of them just step inside to help us out.” Sommer said. “When you have the right amount of hitters and some nice setting going on it makes it fun to watch.”
    The game was pushed back from June because of health concerns and was played Sunday with attendance limited to four fans for each all-star player.