Viqueens top team in conference

 STANTON— The Stanton Viqueens sit alone at the top of the Corner Conference standings after they defeated Nishnabotna 3-1 at home Thursday evening.

After splitting the first two games, Stanton (9-5 overall) went on to win games three and four and keep the rematch with the Blue Devils from going to a fifth game.

“I felt confident that we could get it done,” Stanton volleyball coach Jody Druivenga said. “We were hoping to get it done in three, but Nishnabotna is a strong team. They have some strong hitters.”

The first game was close,  both teams trading the lead, but ended with Stanton taking a 1-0 lead by winning 25-21. Nishnabotna immediately jumped out to an early lead in the second game and cruised to a 25-12 victory to tie the match at 1-1.

“We knew it was going to be a battle,” Druivenga said.

The Viqueens charged back and scored 17 of the first 22 points to take a commanding 17-5 lead. Nishnabotna scored points, but it wouldn’t be enough as Stanton won the third game 25-12.

Stanton took the lead in the fourth game, but the Blue Devils stuck close and came close to nearly overtaking the lead. However, the Viqueens held on to get the 25-20 win.

“We just had some communication errors. I think they got a little lax in that last game,” Druivenga said. “We talked about how we need to keep up our intensity and finish.”

Ally Focht had a team-high 11 kills, as well as 14 assists and 13 digs to lead the Viqueens.

Heidi Vanderholm finished with 10 kills and recorded eight digs. Both Haley and Chelsea Weis each had eight kills in the win. Logan Wagg and Devin Druivenga each finished with four kills.

Wagg led the team in assists with 22. Druivenga had 10 digs, while Vanderholm had eight.

The two previously faced off Aug. 26 when Stanton won 3-2.

With the loss, Stanton sits at the top of the Corner Conference standings with a 3-0 record, sitting ahead of one loss teams East Mills, Fremont-Mills, Sidney and now Nishnabotna.

The Viqueens have a busy week ahead and it all started Monday night when they hosted Southwest Valley. Results from the game weren’t available as of press time.

They’re back home Tuesday night though as they host Fremont-Mills. The varsity match is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. start.

The Viqueens wrap up the week Saturday with an appearance at the Bedford Tournament. The tournament is scheduled to start at 9 a.m.