Aurora’s experience pays off in Beatrice tourney
BEATRICE — With five returning starters from its 2007 state tournament team, Aurora has one of the most experienced volleyball squads in Class B.
The fourth-ranked Huskies’ familiarity paid dividends during pool play in the 12-team Beatrice Invitational on Friday. Aurora (4-0) went 3-0 in its pool at Southeast Community College, including wins against two ranked teams. The Huskies defeated No. 6 Omaha Skutt 25-13, 25-21 and No. 10 Waverly 25-20, 25-15.
“Playing 11 kids like we did last year means we’ve got some experience back,” Aurora coach Lois Hixson said. “Our strength right now is our offense; we’ve got a lot of power. I’m a little worried about defense, but it’s coming. We’re doing a better job of making a bad ball better.”
The Huskies unleashed a balanced attack against Skutt, ignited by the coach’s daughter, 5-foot-7 junior setter Kaci Hixson who had 15 assists, two ace blocks and four service aces.
Six-foot-two junior middle blocker Jessie Allen led the net game with five kills and four ace blocks. Junior Shelby Gowen and senior Jenifer Ashby added four kills each.
Allen, who is drawing recruiting interest from a number of Division I colleges, played club ball last winter with the Nebraska Volleyball Academy. She’s become a force in the middle to complement Aurora’s strong set of outside hitters.
“It’s crazy how much confidence Jessie has now,” said Hixson, whose team plays Waverly in the first round of the eight-team gold bracket at 9:30 a.m. today at the City Auditorium. “She‘s come so far in the last year, and it‘s nice having a great support cast around her.’’
There were no upsets in pool play as top-ranked Northwest and No. 3 Lincoln Pius X breezed to their pool play titles with 3-0 records. Despite losing four starters from last season, the two-time defending state champion Thunderbolts posted lopsided wins against Schuyler (25-12, 25-10), Columbus (25-16, 25-8) and Norris (25-8, 25-13).
UCLA recruit and Super-State setter Lauren Cook had 56 assists and nine ace serves in Friday’s three matches. Senior outside hitters Natalie Braun and Kayla Gaden pounded 23 and 15 kills, respectively, in the wins.
“We played a lot better than I expected,” Pius X coach Jake Moore said. “A lot of that had to do with our serving. We were able to get those teams out of system, get free balls back and then run our quick offense. But we still have a lot to work on.’’
The Thunderbolts take on Scottsbluff in the first round at 9:30 a.m. at Beatrice High School.
Reach Ron Powell at 473-7437 or rpowell@journalstar.com.
The fourth-ranked Huskies’ familiarity paid dividends during pool play in the 12-team Beatrice Invitational on Friday. Aurora (4-0) went 3-0 in its pool at Southeast Community College, including wins against two ranked teams. The Huskies defeated No. 6 Omaha Skutt 25-13, 25-21 and No. 10 Waverly 25-20, 25-15.
“Playing 11 kids like we did last year means we’ve got some experience back,” Aurora coach Lois Hixson said. “Our strength right now is our offense; we’ve got a lot of power. I’m a little worried about defense, but it’s coming. We’re doing a better job of making a bad ball better.”
The Huskies unleashed a balanced attack against Skutt, ignited by the coach’s daughter, 5-foot-7 junior setter Kaci Hixson who had 15 assists, two ace blocks and four service aces.
Six-foot-two junior middle blocker Jessie Allen led the net game with five kills and four ace blocks. Junior Shelby Gowen and senior Jenifer Ashby added four kills each.
Allen, who is drawing recruiting interest from a number of Division I colleges, played club ball last winter with the Nebraska Volleyball Academy. She’s become a force in the middle to complement Aurora’s strong set of outside hitters.
“It’s crazy how much confidence Jessie has now,” said Hixson, whose team plays Waverly in the first round of the eight-team gold bracket at 9:30 a.m. today at the City Auditorium. “She‘s come so far in the last year, and it‘s nice having a great support cast around her.’’
There were no upsets in pool play as top-ranked Northwest and No. 3 Lincoln Pius X breezed to their pool play titles with 3-0 records. Despite losing four starters from last season, the two-time defending state champion Thunderbolts posted lopsided wins against Schuyler (25-12, 25-10), Columbus (25-16, 25-8) and Norris (25-8, 25-13).
UCLA recruit and Super-State setter Lauren Cook had 56 assists and nine ace serves in Friday’s three matches. Senior outside hitters Natalie Braun and Kayla Gaden pounded 23 and 15 kills, respectively, in the wins.
“We played a lot better than I expected,” Pius X coach Jake Moore said. “A lot of that had to do with our serving. We were able to get those teams out of system, get free balls back and then run our quick offense. But we still have a lot to work on.’’
The Thunderbolts take on Scottsbluff in the first round at 9:30 a.m. at Beatrice High School.
Reach Ron Powell at 473-7437 or rpowell@journalstar.com.
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