Addison Dalrymple plays the ball in a South Loup match earlier this season. Dalrymple had 4 kills and 3 service aces in the opening conference tournament match against Brady last week. (Courier file photo by Ronda McFate)

The Lady Bobcats seem to have found their groove on the court, beginning the conference tournament on Thursday, Oct. 15, with their third win in a row.

The first round of the MNAC Tournament was played in Thedford on Thursday, with South Loup’s first match against Brady. The Eagles came out strong in the opening set, getting the best of the Bobcats, 2517. South Loup came back in set two, however, to get the win 25-19 and force a third set. The Lady Bobcats were able to hold on in that one as well, 25-20, to win the match 2-1.

Berklee Preston led the Bobcats’ offense with 14 kills in the match, while Emma Stallbaumer added 10 kills. Asa Starr put down 5 kills, Addison Dalrymple added 4, and Rae Hagler had 2 kills. Dalrymple, Hagler, and Paityn Dailey all had 3 ace serves in the match.

Charli Pandorf led the team with 17 digs, while Hagler had 15 and Dailey added 10.

On Saturday, Oct. 17, the tournament moved to Merna, where Anselmo-Merna hosted the matches. The Lady Bobcats’ first opponent of the day was Sandhills-Thedford in a four-set showdown.

The Knights got on top of the Bobcats in set one, 2520, but South Loup roared back to take the second set, 25-23. Sandhills-Thedford then won the third, 25-18, to take the match into a fourth and deciding set. While the Bobcats fought hard throughout the set, the Knights were able to hold on and squeak out the win, 25-23, to take the match 3-1.

The Bobcats’ final match of the tournament was against Anselmo-Merna, and South Loup was able to get a sweep of the Coyotes, 25-18, 28-26, and 25-22. No stats were available for Saturday’s games.

The Lady Bobcats finished their regular season on Tuesday, Oct. 22, at Arthur in a triangular with Arthur County and Sandhills Valley. Results were not available at press time. District play begins next week.