Hi-Line volleyball battles top teams from FKC, conference tournament next week

PLEASANTON - Facing two more of the giants atop the Fort Kearny Conference, the Hi-Line volleyball team dropped a pair of matches at the Pleasanton triangular Thursday, falling to 9-10 on the season.

The defeats to undefeated Pleasanton (21-0) and Elm Creek (13-6) were the fourth and fifth-consecutive losses for the Bulls in a brutal portion of their schedule. Those last five opponents have a combined record of 86-14 this season.

Against Pleasanton, the Bulls were never able to get into any offense as the Bulldogs controlled the match throughout.

Hi-Line managed just three kills and one ace for offense in a 25-8, 25-19 loss. Ansley Williams had two kills and Kennedy Brell had a kill and an ace.

The Bulls actually scored more through their defense as Chloe Maurer had three stuff blocks and Williams had two. Alivia Knoerzer and Zoey Evans each had one.

In the second match, the Bulls had their chances in the opener, but were unable to pull out a victory before getting raced in the second in a 25-23, 25-8 defeat.

Williams, Evans and Knoerzer each had two kills and Gracie Gibbens had one whil;e Knoerzer and Brell each had an ace.

Knoerzer, Williams and Gibbens each had a stuff block.

Tuesday, the Bulls had a chance to stop their recent slide when they hosted Sumner-Eddyville-Miller (6-13). The Bulls will host Cambridge (9-5) Friday in a volleyballfootball doubleheader.

The FKC Tournament begins Monday in Overton. The bracket is above.