LINCON — Arcadia-Loup City volleyball’s road to state got off to a bumpy start.
The team began the season 1-5, but that stretch features matches against the likes of Kearney Catholic and St. Paul. Head Coach Dusti Van Slyke credits the competition for preparing her team for its subdistrict and district run.
“When we saw Adams Central and Ord at the triangular, that was our turning point came in the season,” she says. “Beating Adams Central, who is a good team and then playing Ord pretty close.”
“Those are both very strong teams in our conference, also including St. Paul, Centura, Doniphan-Trumbull. I do strongly feel like that helped us prepare to make it to state.”
That turn around was highlighted by a series of winning streaks, including a four-game run to the district title. That stretch by the way? A little exhausting after back-to-back five setters to punch a ticket to Lincoln.
“It was fun,” Van Slyke added. “The girls, I don’t know if they were physically exhausted or mentally exhausted. I think a little of both.”
For all of the girls and the fans and the coaches and then going into Thursday, I think that kind of topped it off.”
Now the Rebels are preparing for a state trip which is a long-time coming for both schools. Arcadia hasn’t been there since 1994 and Loup City since 1974.
ALC’s matchup with GACC is scheduled for 5:30 P.M. on Thursday and can be heard on V-103.9 – The Sandhills Giant.
