SEM claimed the Class D1 state volleyball championship Saturday with a 3-1 win over Amherst at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln. It was the fifth meeting of the season between the two Fort Kearny Conference programs. Amherst won the first two meetings and SEM the last two. The rubber match went the way of the Mustangs as SEM claimed its second state volleyball championship in school history. SEM claimed the Class D title back in 1981. SEM trailed 24-23 in the opening set but denied Amherst set point sending the set into extra points and ultimately winning the set 28-26. SEM controlled the second set winning 25-15 to go up 2-0. Amherst fought back though taking set three 25-20 to extend the match. SEM would regroup and come back to close out the match in set four winning 25-21. Senior Mikah O’Neill concluded an amazing season and career with a match high 33 kills including the game winner on championship point. Taryn Arbuthnot delivered 23 kills and led the team in blocks with four. Allie Rohde led the Mustangs in digs with 37. SEM hit .207 for the match and held Amherst to a .154 hitting percentage. SEM collected its 30th win in the championship match to finish the season with an overall record of 30-4.
Congratulations, Sumner-Eddyville-Miller High School – the 2023 NSAA Class D1 State Volleyball Champions! #nebpreps pic.twitter.com/g4uEvxJQgf
— NSAA (@nsaahome) November 4, 2023
Championship Match photos by Dean Ringlein
