Lady Coyotes finish regular season 28-1

The Potter-Dix Lady Coyotes, ranked fifth in Class D2 and 70 in the state, continued dominating the courts with a 3-1 win against the Creek Valley ladies on Tuesday Oct. 25 in the Coyote den.

Walking into the match-up with a 26-1 record the aggressive Potter-Dix girls handily won the first two sets 25-18 and 25-11 before falling in the third 23-25 and then taking the game in the fourth set 25-22.

Leading the Coyote attack at the net was junior Audrey Juelfs with 15 kills, followed closely by Alexus Rozelle and Trinity Langley with 13 each. Dawson Sharman added 12 kills and Lanie Thies, 2.

The Lady Coyotes were kept to just seven ace serves throughout the game, with Langley and Payge Hoffman each serving up two while Juelfs, Sharman and sophomore Hannah Stahl each added one to the Potter-Dix board.

While the Storm put up a fight, it was simply no match for the Potter-Dix defense with Langley blocking four potential kills on her own and assisting with two more. Rozelle was credited with one solo block and two assists while Hoffman and senior setter Lanie Thies each assisted with two as well.

The team racked up a huge 121 digs through the game with Juelfs saving 36, Sharman 28, Rozelle 23 and Langley 20. Hoffman stepped in with seven digs, followed by Thies with three, and two each from Stahl and Brooke Moench.

Thies had 47 set assists while Sharman and Hoffman each added one.

Three Coyotes finished with double-doubles, Juelfs with 15 kills and 36 digs, Rozelee with 13 kills and 23 digs and Langley with 13 kills and 20 digs.

Creek Valley 18 11 25 22

Potter-Dix 25 25 23 25

Following the home win the Lady Coyotes traveled to Morrill on Thursday, Oct. 27 for their final regular season match-up, and they came home with another win in three sets, bringing their record to 28-1.

Rozelle led the fight against the Lady Lions and earned another double-double with 12 kills and 11 digs. The athletic senior also had two solo blocks, two block assists and one set assist.

Thies earned her double-double with 29 set assists and 14 digs. She added one ace serve to the board as well.

Sharman had 14 returns, added an ace to the Potter-Dix board and was credited with nine kills and 19 digs while Juelfs tallied nine kills, 23 digs and a set assist.

Langley rounded out the Lady Coyote attack with seven kills, and three aces. She led in blocks with three solo and two assists. She added 16 digs and eight returns to the fight.

Hoffman finished the battle with one ace, one solo block, two block assists, nine digs and four assists.

Morrill 18 21 15

Potter-Dix 25 25 25

With the final regular season win behind them, The Lady Coyotes looked forward to sub-district play on Monday, Oct. 31. Coach Sarah Dvorak was confident that her team would do well.

"Sub-Districts and District Finals are all single elimination. I believe our team will be competing at state in Lincoln this season," she said.

"Our girls have grown this season individually and as a team. Each member has improved tremendously since the first practice and game of the season. With each player improved, our team has improved as well."

Dvorak added that challenges in the beginning of the season were due to a tough schedule of Class C schools, but currently the team struggles to compete at their level of play and remain healthy.

"The team has played mentally and physically strong during all of the games, especially against those Class C teams we have played," Dvorak said. "They played every point with a fight and fought until the end of each set of each game. Right now the girls are focusing on academics, practices, games and getting rest."

At the end of her regular season, Dvorak credits the great play to the athletes, their drive and determination.

"I didn't think we could top last season, and they came back even stronger this year mentally and physically; they have worked hard on defense and offense individually and as a team to be successful," she said.

With three strong seniors leading the Lady Coyotes, Dvorak is not concerned with what next year might bring.

"Our three other starters are juniors, and they are all talented players. I believe they will lead the team successfully and be great role models for the upcoming players to the varsity court next year," she said. "The three seniors have been reached out to by several colleges, and they all have interest; but as for now we are focusing on school and our season by finishing it out strong."

Finishing the season out strong is exactly what the team appears to be doing, as they began sub-district play in Harrisburg on Monday, Oct. 31 against the Banner County Wildcats.

With every player spending time on the court, the Lady Coyotes brought home their first sub-district win in three sets.

Langley was a force at the net, offensively and defensively, with six kills and nine solo blocks. She was also credited with six digs.

Juelfs racked up seven kills, one ace, one set assist and five returns while Rozelle added six fills, two solo blocks, nine saves, and four returns.

Sharman added five kills, four aces and eight digs, while Hoffman served up six aces, got one kill, three digs and one set assist. Thies rounded out the starters with six digs and 22 set assists.

Banner Co. 11 6 10

Potter-Dix 25 25 25

The Lady Coyotes faced rival team the Leyton Warriors on Tuesday, Nov. 1 for continued sub-district play. Results of that match-up will run in next week's Western Nebraska Observer.