SEM advanced to the championship match of the Class D1 state volleyball tournament with a straight set win over Elgin Public Pope John on Friday 25-18, 25-12, 25-22. Mikah O’Neill helped lead the way for the Mustangs with 15 kills and 20 digs. Taryn Arbuthnot had another solid all around performance with 8 kills, 2 solo blocks, and 18 digs. Cayleigh Jackson chipped in with 9 kills and Allie Rohde had 20 digs for the victorious Mustangs. Katelynn Reiter and Jacelyn Hoos combined for 30 set assists. SEM will face Amherst in the D1 championship match. Amherst knocked off the top seed Guardian Angels Central Catholic 31-29, 25-21, 25-21. The two Fort Kearny Conference schools will meet for the fifth time this season. Amherst won the first two meetings back in September but SEM has won the last two matchups winning in the semifinals of the FKC tournament on October 10th and winning in the D1-9 sub district final on October 24th. SEM is now 29-4 overall. SEM will be playing in their first state championship match since 1981 when they won the Class D title. Saturday’s D1 final will take place at the Bob Devaney Sports Center with match time scheduled for 11 a.m. The match will be broadcast on KCNI 1280 AM / 96.3 FM and kcni1280.com.
