HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL LINCOLN — The Leyton volleyball team will play for the program's first championship. The undefeated and top-seeded Warriors advanced to the Class D-2 title game with a four-set win over Central Valley on Friday morning at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Scores were 25-22, 26-24, 20-25, 2519.
The Warriors (35-0) face Shelton on Saturday morning. The Bulldogs swept Overton, the defending state champions, in the other semifinal. Scores were 25-22, 25-17, 25-21.
Riley Jones and Sydney Fortune both had 11 kills to lead the Warriors, and Shawnee Gamble had eight. Kaydence Haupt led three players in double figures in digs with 25. Zaili Benish and Gamble addee 22 and 21, respectively.
Dugan had a team-high 25 digs and Annaka Wood chipped in with 39 assists. Leyton is making its eighth appearance at state and first since 2013. The Warriors best finish at state was fourth in 2008 in Class D-1.
Shelton (31-3) is making its fourth trip to state and third appearance in a row. The Bulldogs finished third two years ago but lost to Cambridge in a quarterfinal matchup last season. Leyton 3, Meridian 2 The Warriors advanced in the state tournament Thursday morning in thrilling fashion.
Leyton (34-0) rallied from a two-set deficit to edge Meridian in a Class D-2 quarterfinal at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Scores were 23-25, 22-25, 25-20, 2523, 15-4. It was just the program's second win in 10 state games.
The Warriors are making their first tournament appearance in 11 years. Meridian (20.