The Ellsworth High School varsity Lady ‘Cats volleyball team traveled to Ell-Saline Oct. 27 to compete in the sub-state tournament as the fifth seed team. Ellsworth opened the day with the number four seeded Sacred Heart Knights. Ellsworth scraped by with a win in three sets over the Knights. The scores were 20-25, 25-23, and 25-22. The win advanced Ellsworth to the second round of the tournament to face the number one seeded Valley Heights Mustangs. The Mustangs were 33-4 going into the tournament. Ellsworth lost in a hard fought battle in two sets, 24-26 and 15-25. The Lady ‘Cats ended the season with an overall record of 18-19, and a league record of 9-3. Varsity stat leaders were:

• Kills: Lakyn Tenbrink, 32; Shaylee Leiker, 17.

• Assists: Savannah Hellebust, 33; Jordi Thornton, 25.

• Ace Serves: Natalie Rolfs, 4; Jordi Thornton, 3.

• Stuff Blocks: Lakyn Tenbrink, 6; Greta Klein, 2.

• Digs: Shaylee Leiker, 12 Natalie Rolfs, 9; Jordyn Coonrod, 8; Jordi Thornton, 8.

EHS vs. Russell, Oct. 22

The Ellsworth Lady Bearcats played Oct. 22 in their last regular season matches against the Russell Broncos. The ‘Cats defeated the Broncos 25-15 and 25-15 in the first match; and 27-25 and 25-7 in the second match. The Lady ‘Cats junior varsity split with the Broncos. They lost 23-25, 25-11, and 11-15 in the first march; and won 25-12, 25-19 in the second match. The C-team went undefeated on the night. They won 25-19, 25-20 in the first match; and won 25-17, 25-19 in the second match. The wins gave the Lady ‘Cats some momentum going into sub-state. The Varsity stat leaders were: Kills: Lakyn Tenbrink, 20; Shaylee Leiker, 15; Ednah Nichols, 4. Assists: Savannah Hellebust, 22; Jordi Thornton, 21. Digs: Jordyn Coonrod, 8; Shaylee Leiker, 7; Natalie Rolfs, 7; Lakyn Tenbrink, 6. Stuff Blocks: Lakyn Tenbrink, 5; Savannah Hellebust, 3. Ace Serves: Natalie Rolfs, 9; Lakyn Tenbrink, 8; Jordi Thornton, 3; Savannah Hellebust, 3.