Broncos fall to top 10 teams

    The Wauneta-Palisade volleyball team had their work cut out for them last week with home games against Southwest and Maywood/Hayes Center.
    Southwest entered the Sept. 13 game ranked ninth in Class C2.
    WP never gained any traction in the first set and lost 15-21. The Broncos turned it around in set two. WP trailed by two before tying the game at 15. The set was tied at 21 before Southwest scored the final four points.
    The final set was similar to the first. Southwest used two runs to give itself the breathing room it needed. Though the Broncos often traded points with Southwest, WP lost the set 16-25.
    Peyton Cox had eight kills and GraCee Goings seven in the match.
    The task was even tougher last Thursday when Class D1 #1 MHC came to Wauneta.
    In set one, WP gave up one seven-point run to the Wolves and couldn’t make up the difference in the 19-25 loss. MHC had another big run to start off the second set, but the Broncos responded and took a 17-15 lead. WP couldn’t respond to a late push by MHC and lost the set 21-25. The cycle continued in the third set. WP gave up a big run early, then struggled to close the gap. The Broncos lost the set 11-25.
    WP Head Coach Staci Applegarth used freshmen McKenna Doetker and Cheyenne Parrish in the match and was pleased how both contributed.
    Cox had 10 kills. Izzy Stehno served up three aces.
    Applegarth said in both games coaches were able to see glimpses of the team the Broncos can be and WP just needs to figure out how to consistently be that team.
    “I’m very proud and excited that we were able to play competitively with two really consistent teams,” Applegarth said.

Up next
    The Broncos, now 4-8, were at the challenging Paxton Tournament Tuesday. Other teams included the Tigers (12-1), Wallace (11-2) and Potter-Dix (11-0).
    WP will have another four-team tournament Saturday at Bertrand. Besides the Vikings, Pleasanton and Kenesaw will take part.
    A trip to Dundy County Stratton (0-11) is on the schedule for next Tuesday.