The 2024 Blair High School volleyball team officially became its school's winningest since 1997 on Tuesday night.
The Bears' 25-18, 25-8 and 25-8 road victory at Omaha Christian Academy (OCA) was coach Jess Lansman's squad's 16th of the season. Though more matches are played now than then, the Bears' program hasn't produced 16 or more victories in one fall since Laurel Derry's squad went 17-3 27 years ago.
BHS improved to 16-13 overall Tuesday despite a slow start on the Eagles' home floor. Nicki Wendt produced set point with a kill, but the Bears only led 18-16 late before taking the 1-0 lead
“I think we were just waiting for them to make mistakes in the first set,” senior setter Hailey Roewert said.
When Blair went on the offensive during the second and third sets, though, they dominated 11-11 OCA from Class D2. Taylor Mostek went on a serve streak at one point during the second set that turned a single-digit lead into a 20-5 one. Olivia Wolff's service ace then led to set point, which Brooke Roewert — Hailey's sister — turned into a 2-0 advantage.
Finally, during the third set, freshman substitute Beau Wendt — Nicki's sister — stepped in and delivered match point to end both squads' night.
“I think they were doing phenomenal, as always,” said Hailey Roewert when asked about the attackers she assisted all match. “Just putting the ball away. It's what they do best.”
The setter, who finished with 30 assists, refused to name her favorite middle or outside hitter to pass it to Tuesday night, though.
“I'd say everybody did well,” she offered instead.
Mostek tallied a team-best eight kills to go with seven aces for BHS, while Madeline Chikos had seven and three, respectively. Nicki Wendt had six kills and 4 aces, too.
Blair's Emma Ammon (five kills), Hailey Roewert (four), Andi Hume (three), Beau Wendt (two), Brooke Roewert (two) and Hayden Frink-Mathis (two) all notched more than one kill during the Bears' 16th win of the season as well.
Wolff, meanwhile, had a team-best 26 digs.
Coach Lansman's Bears were scheduled to compete at Gretna on Thursday. They'll next play at home on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. against Seward. The reserve match with the Bluejays starts at 4:30 p.m. ahead of the junior varsity game at approximately 5:30.
BHS VOLLEYBALL LINE SCORE
Tuesday
Blair 3, Omaha Christian Academy 0
BHS (16-13) 25 25 25 — 3
OCA (11-11) 18 8 8 — 0
