‘It meant everything to us’

Published 2:32 pm Thursday, November 12, 2026

By Mike O'Brien

A number of Panther players weren’t even born yet the last time Bancroft-Rosalie competed at the State Volleyball Tournament in 2009.

For that reason, the satisfaction of earning a win in Lincoln was that much greater as Bancroft-Rosalie delivered a stellar performance in the opening round of the Class D2 State Volleyball Tournament with a sweep over Hay Springs on November 5 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

“This meant everything to us,” Panther senior Bailey Murphy said. “We hadn’t been to state since our seniors were born. So, we came out and said we had nothing to lose. It was definitely a surreal feeling.”

Murphy noted that confidence was key in collecting the win.

“We felt very prepared for this game,” she said. “The last couple of months, we just knew we had to play our game and practice hard for this moment.”

Bancroft-Rosalie controlled the first two sets, winning 25-13, 25-6. The Panthers then battled to a third set win, 25-23.

“It’s so exciting. These girls have worked so hard all year,” B-R head coach Caragan Tietz said. “I couldn’t be more proud of how we played. Even if we had a few errors, we came out and did the right things at the end.”

While the Panthers entered the match as the lower seed, a 6th seed, Tietz said it didn’t feel that way because their regular season schedule prepared them for postseason play.

This marked the Panthers’ first state win since 2007 when they were Class D1 state champs.

“We have talked about it a lot, how Bancroft-Rosalie hasn’t been to state in a long time. I was a kid who barely remembers it,” Tietz said. “So, it was exciting to do this for our team and our community. We had a lot of support out there. The girls knew what they had to do, and they went out and did it.”

What will Tietz remember most about last week’s win? All the celebrations.

“They are celebrating for each other. The girls want it. I’m not harping at them. They want to grow; they want the success,” Tietz said.

Murphy added, “It’s an amazing feeling being here my senior year. From what we did my freshman year to now, it is actually incredible. I couldn’t ask for a better team than what we have.”

First Round: Thursday, November 5

Class D2 State Volleyball

Bancroft-Rosalie def. Hay Springs

25-13, 25-6, 25-23

B-R: Bailey Murphy 12k, 1a, 5d, 2b; Jaylynn James 11k, 8d, 1b; Gracie Davis 9k, 1s, 3d, 1b; Emilyn Hilsinger 5k, 3a, 3d, 3b; Callie Kai 3k, 32s, 2a, 7d, 2b; Aizley Dean 2k, 2s, 7d, 1b; Kendra Beaudette 3d; Miley VanKirk 9d; Leah Beaudette 3s, 16d.

Key: a-ace serve, s-set assist, k-kill, d-dig, b-block