Minden Tops Ogallala In Opener, Whippets Finish Fourth Overall

The Minden Whippet volleyball team made a triumphant return to the 2011 Nebraska State Volleyball tournament on Thursday in Hastings at Hastings College in the Class C-1 opening round.
The fourth-seed Minden (25-4) was making its first appearance since 2007 and faced a familiar opponent in Southwest Conference rival, the fifth-seeded Ogallala Indians (28-8) at Lynn Farrell area in the opening round matchup.
Minden made short work of the Indians in three sets, picking up their third win over Ogallala by scores of 25-14, 25-21 and 25-18. The Whippets (26-4) advanced to the C-1 semifinals where they faced the top-seeded and undefeated (27-0) Columbus Scotus Shamrocks on Friday at the Heartland Event Center.
The Whippets got off to a fast start in the opening set behind the right arm of Hallie Bauer. The senior pounded down three quick kills to lift Minden to a 4-1 lead. Freshman Ali Rowse served three straight points including a pair of aces as the Whippets went ahead 8-2.
Minden forged ahead of Ogallala 14-6 behind kills from Sydney Stadler, Carlie Bauer and Hallie Bauer. The Whippets maintained their large lead and went ahead 22-9 with kills from Stadler and Alaina Boudreau. Hallie Bauer got Minden to 23-11 before sister Carlie had the final two kills of the set to lift Minden to the first 25-14.
In the second set, Minden built a fast 2-0 lead by a kill by Bailey Petersen and an ace from Carlie Bauer but Ogallala quickly gained momentum.

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