Valasek's Big Fourth Set Keys Bronco Victory over Dordt
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Hastings (9-7, 3-4) | 20 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
|
Dordt (IA) (10-8, 4-3) | 25 | 19 | 21 | 12 | 1 |
(Hastings, NE) – After dropping the first set, the Hastings Broncos stormed back to defeat the Dordt Defenders 3-1 (20-25, 25-25-19, 25-21, 25-12).
In the first set, Hastings led 12-9, but Dordt responded by taking the next five points, which led them to take the opening set 25-20. The Broncos had 13 kills in the set, but their 10 errors allowed Dordt to capitalize. Freshman Mikah O'Neill and junior Alexis Pontine led the way with 5 kills and 11 assists, respectively.
The second set started out favoring the Defenders, as they led 11-8, but Hastings won the next four points and eight of the next 10 to lead 16-13. When Dordt evened it up at 16 apiece, the Broncos put the set away, winning all but three points to close the second set at 25-19. Senior Majesta Valasek had six kills and Pontine had nine assists in the period.
The Broncos momentum carried over to the third set as they jumped out to a 6-2 lead. Dordt rallied back, grabbing a 16-13 lead at one point. With Hastings trailing 20-18 in the set, they forced five errors and two timeouts by Dordt over the next six points to go in front 23-21. Hastings closed the set out with a kill from freshman Londyn Carnes and an ace from senior Dacey Sealey. Freshman Makenna Sutter had four kills and Pontine had nine assists to take a 2-1 set lead.
While the fourth set started out even, Hastings quickly turned the tide in their favor. They won 11 of the next 13 points, as Valasek, who had nine kills in the fourth set, went off for six kills during that stretch alone, including five that were assisted by Pontine, who had 16 assists in the period. That was all the momentum they needed as they cruised to a 25-12 fourth set win to close out the match.
For the match, Valasek led the way with 19 kills, while Sutter had 14 kills and O'Neill had 10 kills. Pontine had 45 assists for the game, while senior Miriam Miller, who is closing in on sixth place for most digs in Bronco history, had 26 digs.
Up next, Hastings will travel to Orange City, IA to play #1 Northwestern at 5pm on Saturday, October 5.
