LINCOLN — Howells must like giving its coach something to sweat about.

For the second straight match at the Class D-1 state volleyball tournament and third time in the past four matches, the Bobcats dropped the first two sets before rallying to win in five sets.

On Friday, it was a 15-25, 20-25, 25-13, 25-14, 15-11 semifinals victory, which finally came after Pawnee City (20-14) staved off three match points in set five.

“Yes I am going to have a heart attack,” Howells head coach Kim Hoffer told reporters before even being asked a question. “We didn't show up in the first two sets again tonight.”

Howells will be making its first Class D-1 state championship appearance, although the Bobcats won a Class C title in 1980 and C-2 title in 1995 and were a C runner-up in 1981 and C1-runner-up in 1983.

The Bobcats' blocking was the major difference in the final three sets after Pawnee City's hitters pretty much had their way in the first two sets.

Twin 6-foot-2 juniors Emily Chebuhar and Megan Chebuhar and Janessa Evert and Kourtney Janata all picked up their intensity, Hoffer said.

“We made some adjustments,” Hoffer said. “I challenged my two middles to work harder because (Pawnee City) was playing harder than them on defense. They got us back in our groove. The better defense we play, the offense stays on better.”

Pawnee City (20-14)...............25 25 13 14 11
Howells (27-6).........................15 20 25 25 15
Pawnee City (kills-aces-blocks): Trisha Sejkora 0-0-0, Haley Habegger 0-1-0, Callie Percival 16-2-1, Karryn McQueen 6-0-3, Janae Koester 11-0-2, Michelle Hinrichsen 2-0-1, Cheyney Rohlmeier 0-1-0.
Howells: Kourtney Janata 13-1-1, Janessa Evert 16-1-0, Sidney Blum 2-0-1, Emily Chebuhar 9-0-9, Megan Chebuhar 10-0-5, Nicole Bayer 1-3-4), Ashley Bazata 0-1-0

« High Schools

Share