By LuAnn Schindler
Publisher
Bobcats upset undefeated Bayard in district volleyball final
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November 2, 2023
Mike Tabbert
The eyes have it • Talya Nilson digs a ball, sending it to Bobcat setter Ady Mlnarik during Saturday's district final against Bayard. The Bobcats knocked off the Tigers, who entered the contest with a 30-0 record and the number two seed in the field of 16 teams. The Bobcats advance to the Class C2 state tourney, which begins Thursday, in Lincoln.
The Summerland Bobcats came out swinging, Saturday, when they met undefeated Bayard in the Class C2 district final, in Brady.
Those swings led to 32 team kills, five ace serves and a three-set sweep over the Tigers.
Bayard jumped to an early lead in set one, but the Bobcats remained calm and collected, narrowing the Tigers' lead, point by point.
With the match tied at 24, Ady Mlnarik stepped up to the service line and sent a rocket across the net. The volley ended with a Lydia Robertson block.
On set point, Mlnarik's serve cleared the net and ended with a Robertson kill.
The second set saw the Bobcats jump to a 10-8 lead, but Bayard clawed back, taking a 15-13 lead until the Bobcats jumped ahead, 20-19.
After a Tiger timeout, Summerland took control, scoring the final five points of the match. A Mlnarik kill ended the set, giving the Bobcats a 25-20 win.
In the third set, action seesawed, with the Bayard taking an early 7-6 lead. The Bobcats fought back to take a 13-12 advantage.
Robertson blocked a Tiger attack to give Summerland a 17-14 advantage. The Bobcats led 24-21, with Bayard serving, when Mlnarik sealed the deal with a kill deep in the back court.
Mlnarik finished with 10 kills and a dozen digs in the win.
Robertson recorded four blocks and Talya Nilson landed two aces.
Statistics v Bayard:
Preslie Robertson: 28d
L. Robertson: 8k, 4b, 12d, 16a
Nilson: 2a, 11d
Ella Bolling: 5k, 24d
Mlnarik: 10k, 2a, 12d, 16a
Caydence Schumacher: 9k, 2b, 4d
Bailey Ahlers: 1d
Sarah Wiese: 1a, 1d
Kelsey Schlecht: 2d
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