KEARNEY – The Kearney Bearcat Volleyball team rallied in the third set but ultimately fell short of a season opening win, dropping their first game of 2023 in four sets to Lincoln North Star. Click here to listen to the broadcast replay.
Kearney looked to revamp after graduation left this year’s version of the volleyball program with plenty of fresh faces dotting the starting lineup and returning experience. Two key pieces returned, however, in Sophie Vanderbeek and Paige Mailahn.
The Navigators looked to build off their experience from the year prior as they hosted a lineup dominated by seniors, including talented outside Ali Jacobs.
Kearney fell behind early in Set 1, as Lincoln North Star controlled from the get-go and never faced a deficit. Kearney was able to bring the game into four points, but fell late in the first set 25-19.
The second set provided a few early leads for Kearney as they took hold at 3-2, but the Bearcats could not overcome powerful kills by Jacobs. Following their best offensive weapon, the Gators won 25-17.
All signs pointed to a sweep until late in the third set as Kearney rattled off scores to bounce back and stave off a match point chance by the Navigators. Tying the score in the middle of the set, Kearney held early leads but earned several set point chances until eventually scrumming to a 28-26 victory in the third.
Set Four was all Lincoln North Star, as the Navigators controlled the block early and never looked back clearing their first win on the season with a 25-13 final set.
Ali Jacobs led the way for North Star with 27 kills.
Kearney had solid days from Vanderbeek with nine kills, senior Addie Helmbrecht earned seven, and Mailahn wrapped with six.
The Bearcats hit the road to the Norfolk Invite on Saturday. A full photo gallery from Thursday’s matchup will be available at Centralnebraskatoday.com.
KHS Volleyball v. LNS // CNT // NRG CN // Corbey Dorsey Photography