Aurora Knocks Out Bishop Neumann To Advance To State Title Match UPDATED WITH AUDIO

(Lincoln, NE) - It would come down to five sets at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Friday afternoon for the Aurora Huskies to secure a Class C1 state semifinal victory over Bishop Neumann to advance to the state championship: 19-25, 25-12, 25-23, 21-25, 15-6. 

The Huskies started sluggishly in the first set, with Kaitlyn Staehr recording only one kill. Then things started to warm up for Aurora, getting the Huskies' top outside hitter going with Staher, along with Elizabeth Luebbe, as Aurora came back and won the next two sets. Neumann would fight back in the fourth to force the winner-take-all fifth set. 

Aurora would race out to a 10-2 lead to take control of the fifth set en route to punching the Huskies' ticket to the state title match on Saturday, November 7th at 1:00 pm vs. Milford. Listen live on 97.3 The Wolf and www.thewolf973fm.com. Pump and Pantry Pre-Match Show will start at 12:45 pm. 

Matt Williams called match point against Bishop Neumann.

Coach Michaela Perry discusses the semifinal win and previews the title tilt with Milford

Brooke Thiele led Bishop Neumann with 23 kills. Neumann is now 33-3 on the season and will play for third place on Saturday vs. Omaha Concordia at 3:00 pm at Lincoln Northwest High School. 

Aurora was paced by Elizabeth Luebbe with 20 kills. Grace Wieseler had 15 kills; Kaitlyn Staehr added 12 kills. Hailey Hoff had 47 set assists in the match. Baya Chamness had 19 digs, and Staehr finished with 15.