The De Soto High School varsity volleyball team faced their Frontier League rivals the Louisburg Wildcats on Tuesday, Sept. 13, and swept them in straight sets to win 26-24, 25-16, 25-21.

The first set was intense—because of several service errors and some coverage miscues, no team was truly able to take control. DHS and Louisburg went back and forth every point until DHS was finally able to get the win in extra points due to a kill by setter/right side hitter Haley Cuba.

The second set started off slowly, with DHS getting down early in the game. Finally, middle hitters Ally Barnhart and Jackie Kennard were able to get blocks that set up outside hitter Kaitlyn Bell for key kills that changed the intensity of the game. After that, DHS took control of the game and easily cruised to a 25-16 victory.

The final set was highlighted by service aces from defensive specialist Kendall Schmidt and digs from libero Maya Bascom. Barnhart, Kennard and Bell all had blocks late in the set that allowed DHS to secure the win. Outside hitter Hannah Wilson also made her varsity debut and got a tip for the final kill of the game.

DHS lost to Louisburg in sub-state during the 2015 season, and they are the reason that DHS has missed out on the Frontier League title every year since 2011. For senior Jackie Kennard, this win was extremely important.

“We’ve never beaten them before in the regular season, so it was really exciting for me and the rest of the girls because the last couple of years, they have been the one reason we haven’t been able to win league. It feels so good to finally get past them,” Kennard said.

Hothan agreed because Louisburg was considered the team to beat in the Frontier League.

“This win feels awesome. Any time that we can get a win, it feels good but given that this is a league match and the girls all really get up for league matches and they always have a goal in mind for these games,” Hothan said.

For Hothan, the key to the game was the blockers stepping up and performing well.

“I honestly feel like our blockers stepping up was huge for us. Closing the blocks and getting blocks, that was huge for us. That’s what kind of changed the momentum in the game,” Hothan said.

The team just felt happy that they were able to get a win–the fact that they beat Louisburg was just considered a bonus.

“I’m really happy that we beat Louisburg because it always feels good to beat your rivals, but we just came out to try to get a win and the Frontier League title,” Bascom said.

With the win against Louisburg, DHS is now in good position to win the Frontier League title. Their next tournament is Saturday, Sept. 17 at Rossville.