Minden, Neb. – The Duster volleyball team traveled to Minden on Thursday night to face the C1 #1-ranked Whippets. Minden continued their undefeated season with another sweep, after Holdrege gave them everything they had. The Whippets won 25-23, 25-20, and 25-22 in front of a nearly packed crowd on their senior night.
Holdrege jumped out to an early lead in the first set. They took advantage of a few uncharacteristic mistakes from Minden, while also playing some of their best volleyball all season, to jump out to a 22-15 lead. After using each of their two timeouts, the Whippets turned things around and scored eight straight points to take their first lead of the young match. Holdrege managed to score just one more in the set before Minden ended it.
In the second set, the Dusters still came out aggressively and kept pace with Minden. After their late charge in the first set, the Whippets were able to keep up their consistent play to erase a couple of early deficits. Holdrege was still able to reach 20 points in the set, but that would be it. Minden ended the set without too much drama and extended their lead to two sets.
It initially looked like Holdrege had run out of gas when the third set began. Minden appeared to have taken total control after taking a seven-point lead midway through. In a brilliant display of determination, Holdrege fought back to within one point. However, Minden would end the night with a kill from senior Myla Emery, and the Whippets came away with their 28th sweep of the 2024 season.
Minden was led offensively by senior Mattie Kamery who had a team-high 17 kills. She also passed 300 total kills for the season. Senior Kinsie Land finished with nine kills, followed by Emery’s eight total kills. The Whippets improved to 29-0 and finished their regular season unblemished. Minden’s set record for the season may be even more impressive with a 65-2 margin.
The Dusters scored at least 20 points in each of their three sets played on Thursday. Prior to the match, Minden had allowed 20 or more points in a set just eight other times. Holdrege was led by junior Carson Sundquist’s 18 kills. Junior Averi Bilka had eight kills, junior Emily Stutzman finished with seven, and freshman Gracie Johnson ended with six. Holdrege is now 16-6 and will be in North Platte on Saturday for a triangular.
