Gering defeats Sidney in four sets at districts

The Sidney High volleyball team fought hard but ultimately fell to Gering in four sets in the Class B, District 8 tournament Tuesday night in Alliance.

Sidney had hopes of making a return to the sub-state round, but the defeat dropped Sidney's record to 10-21 and ended its 2014 season. Gering won the match 25-22, 9-25, 25-20, 25-19.

"This is one of those seasons where success is measured in more than just the final win-loss record," Sidney head coach Sarah Wilson said.

"The 40 young ladies involved in our program this year put in as much time and effort into developing their volleyball skills as players from our previous 'more successful' seasons. Unfortunately the matches didn't always end with a win in our favor - but I credit the athletes with always working hard in practice to remedy those weaknesses and for never giving up and quitting on the season."

After the Bulldogs took down the Lady Raiders, they went on to sweep top-seeded Alliance in the championship game. Gering advances to Saturday's sub-state round where it will play for a spot in the Class B state tournament in Lincoln on Nov. 13.

The opening set was rather ugly for both Sidney and Gering. Fueled by several early unforced errors by the Lady Raiders, Gering jumped out to an early 10-4 lead. Sidney later went on a 5-0 run, sparked by a few Bulldog mistakes and got back in the game at 15-13.

Late in the set, with Gering leading 24-18, the Lady Raiders put together a four-point rally that got them within 24-22, but a Sidney mistake gave Gering its 25th point and the first set victory. Throughout the first set, Sidney seemed to have a difficult time scoring outside of Gering mistakes.

The second set was a complete turnaround for the Lady Raiders. In what was maybe the strongest run of the season, Sidney opened the set with an 11-0 lead. Gering never dug itself out of that early hole and dropped the second set, 25-9.

Sidney played a remarkably clean second set – unforced errors were at a minimum and defensively the Lady Raiders were sharp. Gering clearly looked off of its game and Sidney rolled to tie the match at one set apiece.

In the third, Sidney scored four of the first five points and looked to be in early control. But the Bulldogs mounted an 8-0 run and never looked back. The Lady Raiders managed to tie the set 20-20, but never regained the lead. Gering took the third set, 25-20.

With its backs against the wall, Sidney responded well at the start of the fourth set.

It took a 7-5 advantage and led 13-9 midway through. But Gering once again reeled off a big run at the right time to take a 16-13 lead. The Lady Raiders kept things close the rest of the way. Leading 20-17, the Bulldogs tallied five of the next seven points to take the set, 25-19, and the match.

Six seniors - Savanna Rosenbaum, Erin Bown, Sara von Seggern, Vanessa Riley, Chaona Radtke and Kaylee Jessen - are graduating from the program. They will be missed, but Wilson is excited for what she'll have back next season.

"One of the positives from last night was that it fueled the desire in the underclassmen to seize next season and to return to a contending force in our conference and state-wide," Wilson said.

Sophomore middle blocker Annalise Lecher led Sidney with seven kills. Rosenbaum collected six kills along with six blocks and five digs. Bown also had a nice outing, totaling six kills, two and a half blocks, eight assists and 12 digs.