With everything on the line, volleyball districts will come to an end this morning in a head-to-head match that will end the season for one of the two, sister-school teams. The Griffins, who are currently ranked fifth in Class B and hold a season record of 27-9, will face off against Gretna High, who are ranked tenth and have a 24-17 record, at 11 a.m. at Gretna East.
A victory for the Griffins will secure their position as District Champions and send them to the Class B State Championships next week, but if they lose, the game will mark the end of the season for the girls. With so much at stake for both teams, the Gretna community can expect a competitive, evenly-matched game.
“There’s going to be a lot of pressure on this game,” team captain, senior Nyah Potthoff said. “We just have to stay focused and look towards our goal.”
Competing against former teammates and coaches, the girls are determined to give it their all despite former ties. After last week’s football faceoff against the Dragons, where the Griffins won 23-20 and became the district champions, this morning’s match will be yet another showdown against Gretna for a title or advancement into a tournament.
“We did play with them [Gretna] for two years, but at the end of the day it’s whoever wants it more,” Potthoff said.
Last season, the Griffins advanced to State after a victorious 3-1 match against Omaha Northwest on Oct. 28. However, the girls had a 3-0 quarterfinal loss against the Bennington Badgers, ending the season with a 25-11 record.
Now, the girls are eager to make a triumphant return, building off their previous experience and a strong season performance.
Following the outcome of this weekend, the winning team will advance to compete in the Class B State Volleyball Tournament which will begin on Nov. 6 at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Neb.