CHAMPIONSHIP FORM

Kimball's Lady Longhorn volleyball team has not had many wins this season, but it earned a special victory Thursday as the school honored the 1979 Kimball State Champion Volleyball Team.

It was 50 years ago when the NSAA established the State Tournament for Volleyball, and schools all across Nebraska have been honoring their prior championship teams all season. On Thursday, the Kimball 1979 Class B State Championship team, which went undefeated and did not lose a set in the tournament, returned to Kimball to be recognized.

Between the second and third sets, the members of the team came out to the court, were introduced, and then were joined by the current Lady Longhorn team for pictures. It was an excellent reception, and many teammates who had not seen one another for many years were reunited and shared stories of the past, and caught up with each other and discussed family and other interests of the present.

The entire event fueled the crowd and inspired the Lady Longhorns, who started the match against the Lady Lions with a 25-21 first set victory.

Middle hitters Tianna Stierwalt and Amy Birkhofer led the offense and caused trouble for the Lady Lions with their blocks. Kimball kept up the momentum and took the second set by a score of 25-14.

After the State Championship ceremony, the teams returned to action, and the Lady Lions finally found some weaknesses in the Kimball defense and were able to capitalize. After battling throughout the set, Morrill was able to grab the last few points and win the third set, 25-23.

But Kimball would not be denied and bore down in the final set. With aggressive hitting, solid net play, and good serving, the Lady Longhorns took the final set by a score of 25-19 for the 3-1 set victory.

The Lady Longhorns were scheduled to go on the road and face the 20-4 Chase County Lady Longhorns on Tuesday, Oct. 12.