(Tabor, IA) — Fremont Mills survived an upset bid from Exira EHK and the Knights advanced to the regional semifinals ending the Spartans season 25-16, 25-11, 21-25, 21-25, 15-9.
The Knights used strong starts to take a 2-0 lead — it was 7-1 in the first set and Olivia Mahaney had 4 big points on her serve late to make it 23-15 before they closed it out. In the 2nd set, Fremont Mills led 6-1, then 10-2 and the Spartans could not overcome it.
Back came Exira EHK in the third set, after trailing 8-3, the Spartans got a key side out and methodically started to come back. Trailing 7-10 and a side out, Zoey Rasmussen served and Mayne Jorgensen got three kills plus Riley Miller put away a long rally. Exira EHK now led 11-10 and would take momentum in the match.
In the 4th set, Fremont Mills again built an early 12-2 lead but the Spartans rallied. The Knights would not score on five straight serves and Exira EHK went on 17-5 run. A Jorgensen kill would tie it at 19.
However, Fremont Mills would take the 5th set as Hayleigh Mattox got three big kills and some mishits from the Spartans, Bella Gute would get back-to-back aces to make it 12-7 and the lead was enough for the Knights.
Gute had 9 total aces for Fremont Mills — Carlie Chambers led with 16 kills and 4 aces, Olivia Mahaney had 7 kills and 1 ace.
For Exira EHK, Taryn Petersen had 18 kills, Jaelynn Petersen 15 kills, Mayne Jorgensen 11 kills. Exira EHK ends their season at 15-6, Fremont Mills is now 26-10 and will meet Sidney in the regional semifinals next Monday.