(Listen to live play-by-play coverage of all the Nemaha Valley Raiders State volleyball action on 103.9 KNZA & online – click here)

Three of the last four years the Nemaha Valley Raiders have made trips to state in volleyball and after a hiatus year from state last year the Raiders are back in the Class 3A state tourney this year in Emporia at White Auditorium.

State tournament isn’t a foreign territory for the Raiders, but they are searching for their first top three finished since 2002 when they finished runner-up. Nemaha Valley tallied a third place in 2001 and last won a state title in 1996. The Raiders look to change that this year but will have to battle from the bottom to do so as they go into the state tourney as the number eight seed with a 21-16 record after winning their sub-state.  Nemaha Valley will be partnered up with Jayhawk Linn, Hoisington and Cheney in pool play, as they will hit the court Friday morning in Emporia.

Raiders are battle tested finishing fourth in the Big Seven and playing tough competition in the Big Seven throughout the season, including a pair of 4A-Division II state teams in Santa Fe Trail and Jeff West.

A strong junior class, partnered with good group of senior’s looks to continue the Raiders season and make some noise at the State tournament as the Raiders will be looking for some hardware to add to the trophy case as they take to the court again this season in the Class 3A state tournament.