Yes, you read that correctly. The Tigers came into the 2024 season on a 109-match losing streak and that continued early in the season but they snapped that losing streak after their 111th loss and fought their way to the D2-5 District Final match. #5 Amherst hosted #12 Dundy County Stratton on Saturday afternoon for a chance to go to the state tournament. The Tigers came up short as they were defeated by Amherst, 3-1, and ended their season.
In set one, Amherst jumped out to the 2-0 lead but it didn't last long as the Tigers evened it up at 2-2 and took the lead, 3-2, and never gave it up. DCS was the first to 15-13, but the Broncos closed in and forced the Tigers to use a timeout at 16-14. DCS went on a run out of the timeout and forced Amherst to use a timeout at 20-15. Amherst used their final timeout 23-19 and made adjustments to close in but it wasn't enough as the Tigers won set one, 25-23.
In set two, Amherst jumped to the 2-1 lead but the Tigers evened it up at 4-4. Dundy County Stratton used a timeout when they trailed 8-4. The Tigers had many serving and passing errors, giving Amherst a cushion, 16-9. The Broncos went on to win the set, 25-12, and evened the match, 1-1.
Amherst struck first in set three and led 7-1 before DCS called a timeout. The Tigers put together a small run to lessen the lead, 13-6, but the Broncos caught fire and forced a timeout from DCS at 19-11. Amherst stayed hot out of the timeout and won the set 25-14.
In the fourth set, the Tigers got on the board first, 2-0, but Amherst took the lead back at 3-2. Amherst extended their lead 12-7 but DCS wasn't going to go down easy and pulled within 16-12 and forced the Broncos to use a timeout. The Tigers evened the match up at 17-17 and Ava Lutz served back-to-back aces to give DCS the 20-19 edge. They extended their lead 22-20 and forced an Amherst timeout. The Broncos evened the match at 22-22 and went on to take the set, 25-23, and the match, 3-1.
Amherst punched their ticket to the state tournament and improved their record to 23-9. Unofficially for the Broncos, they had four aces which all came in the third set, and five blocks. Keelie Hagan had 11 kills, Libby Mitchell had eight kills, Sadie Van Ranken had seven kills, and Brynne Fisher and Lucy Van Ranken each had five kills.
Dundy County Stratton ends their season with a record of 19-10. Unofficially for the Tigers, they had six aces and four blocks. Clara Spargo had 15 kills, Emily Schack had 11 kills, Abi Spargo had eight kills, and Ava Lutz had six kills.
Check out our highlights from the match brought to you by Prairie Girl Candy Company.
