The South Loup volleyball team had a busy week as they played five matches over two days. First up was a triangular at Elm Creek on Tuesday, Sept. 22, followed on Saturday, Sept. 26, by a tournament in Sutherland.

The Lady Bobcats’ first opponent of the week was Anselmo-Merna, with South Loup coming out on top 2-1. The Bobcats took control of the first set to easily defeat the Coyotes 25-12. However, Anselmo-Merna bounced back from the loss in the second set to get a win, 25-23. The Bobcats did not let the setback in the second set deter them from their mission of a victory, though, and were able to stay on top in set three to win 25-14.

Emma Stallbaumer led the way for the Bobcats with 12 kills in the match. Asa Starr added 6 kills, and Berklee Preston had 4. Olivia Fitzgerald knocked down 3 kills in the match, and Rae Hagler slammed 4 ace serves. Charli Pandorf led the defense with 10 digs.

Following that match, the Bobcats faced the host team, Elm Creek. Set one was a hard-fought back-and-forth scrap between the two teams, with South Loup finally getting the win in extra points, 27-25. But the Buffaloes came out with a vengeance in set two and never let up, as they downed the Bobcats 25-14. Elm Creek was able to maintain that momentum throughout the third set as well, winning that one 25-19, to take the match 2-1.

Stallbaumer once again led the Bobcats' attack with 11 kills, while Preston added 5, and Fitzgerald and Starr each contributed 3 kills. Hagler finished the match with 9 digs, Pandorf had 8, and Preston, 6.

The Bobcats took the court Saturday morning in Sutherland against their first opponent of the day, Maywood/Hayes Center. The Wolves got the win in two close sets, 25-21, and 25-19. The Wolves managed to shut down the Bobcats’ attack at the net, holding Stallbaumer and Preston to just 4 kills each. Fitzgerald was able to light a fire in her team with 3 service aces, but it wasn’t quite enough to overcome the Wolves. Preston led the defense with 9 digs.

Their next challenge on the day was the host team, and the match was nearly a repeat of the first one. Despite their best efforts in the first set, the Bobcats fell short, 25-21. The Sailors used the momentum from that win to propel them to an easier victory in the second set, 25-16.

Stallbaumer finished the match with 8 kills, Preston had 7, Starr had 3, and Fitzgerald added 2 kills. Fitzgerald and Preston each had an ace. On defense, it was Hagler leading the way with 9 digs, followed by Preston with 6 and Pandorf with 5.

Their final match of the tournament brought the Bobcats a much-needed win, as they defeated Hyannis 25-9 and 25-11. The win was a team effort with Preston earning 5 kills, Stallbaumer 3, Josie Lehmkuhler and Fitzgerald each 2 kills, and Hagler, Starr, and Addison Dalrymple each getting a kill. Starr was hot at the service line with 5 aces in the match.

Stallbaumer had 5 blocks, and Preston picked up 12 digs to lead the South Loup defense.

The varsity Lady Bobcats were back in action on Tuesday, Sept. 29, at Ansley. This evening, Oct. 1, South Loup travels to Stapleton for a triangular with Sandhills Valley and Twin Loup, with matches beginning at 5 p.m.