The Centennial volleyball team finished its 2024 season in the subdistrict final Oct. 30 with a 25-13, 25-22, 19-25, 25-20 loss to Hastings St. Cecilia.
The teams met in the first match of the season, and CHS Coach Alex Anstine said they talked about how it’s a new season and anything can happen.
“I thought we had a chance,” she said.
The first set was not the best of the season for the Broncos, but the team fought back in the second and were within a couple points the whole time. CHS won the third set and led in the fourth before St. Cecilia pulled away.
“St. Cecilia got smart. They attacked at the right people,” Anstine said.
Averie Stuhr, Tyler Opfer and Cheyenne Tonniges reached double figures in kills with 14, 12 and 10, respectively.
The week started for CHS with a 25-11, 25-6, 25-11 win over South Loup Oct. 28 and a 25-15, 22-25, 25-19, 25-12 win over Southern Valley.
Anstine said Centennial was able to control the tempo and play on its level against South Loup. Against Southern Valley, CHS wanted to serve aggressively and keep them out of system so they couldn’t set their middle hitters.
“We came out strong,” Anstine said.
Sets two and three were disappointing with flat play and mistakes, the coach said.
“In the fourth, we played like I knew we could,” Anstine said.
Opfer served 12 straight to help put the set out of reach, she said.
In looking at the season, Anstine was pleased with the growth she saw from the team.
“I’d rather go out playing hard and competing,” she said, adding that that’s what the Broncos did.
