Rossville upsets JCN, gets back to state volleyball tournament

The Jefferson County North substate volleyball action didn't disappoint on Saturday. 

In the first match it was JCN taking on Washington County, the Tigers made the long trip south and brought a good crowd with them. Washington County battled early, getting the game to 16-15, forcing the Chargers to call a timeout. Out of that, JCN responded by scoring 9 of the next 11 to take set one, 25-17. Set two followed the same script, with the Tigers fighting, but not having enough power to overcome JCN, losing 25-17 again. Washington County finishes the year 11-27. 

In the second match, it was Doniphan West taking on Rossville, and it was a slugfest. Back and forth set number one went. The score was knotted at 17, but Rossville scored 8 of the last 11, to take set one, 25-20. The Dawgs dominated set two from start to finish, beating the Mustangs, 25-18. Doniphan West finishes the season, 20-17.

With the straight set victory, it set us up for the heavyweight title game. Two teams that made the 2A state tournament last season. Rossville was eliminated in pool play, JCN came out of the opposite pool, securing a 4th place finish. In set number one, Rossville never trailed, jumping out to a 7-1 lead, before taking the set 25-19. 

Set number two was back and forth throughout, with JCN holding a 21-17 advantage late. The Dawgs wouldn't go away quietly, scoring 4 of the next 5 to make it 22-21. JCN held on to win 25-22, forcing a sudden death set three. In the third set, it was a true battle of titans, with a 16-16 score. That's when sophomore Sawyer Bunck went on a run from the service line, securing 2 aces, as part of Rossville scoring five straight to go up 21-16. JCN was unable to recover and the Dawgs took set three 25-21. 

JCN finishes the season 39-3 and comes up just short. It was an unbelievable effort from Rossville, winning in hostile territory. Washburn volleyball commit Nora Burdiek was unstoppable all day, having close to 30 kills alone in the title game. Rossville moves to 19-21 on the season and will play in Salina next week, their second straight state trip.