LINCOLN - BDS making it back to the state volleyball tournament in 2019 was predictable.

With so many pieces back from the team that won state in 2018, the Eagles were a top contender in Class D2 all year, so getting back to Lincoln was no surprise.

Once they got to Lincoln, it was anybody's guess as to what would happen next.

After surviving Bertrand and Wynot, the No. 3 Eagles (30-4) had to once again fend off their foe in the fifth set to hold on for victory.

"We played 10 sets in 17 hours," BDS coach Kari Jo Alfs said going into Saturday's match. "We pretty much left it all on the court at Pinnacle Bank Arena (on Friday). They came out on fire (Saturday) morning, got the first two sets, but we let it slide a little bit, but they found a way to win."

After winning sets one and two (26-24, 25-16), BDS dropped sets three and four (19-25, 18-25) to No. 5 Humphrey St. Francis at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.

In a game of runs, the Flyers (24-5) got off to an 8-4 start in set five, BDS then led 11-8, and then HSF tied the set 13-13.

Through all of the turbulence this week, one thing remained the same for BDS - coach Alfs' calm smile and demeanor on the bench.

"I said to the girls earlier in the week," Alfs recalled, "if you want to win this match, it has to come from the heart. You have to want it more than the team on the other side.

"I truly believe they stepped it up, pulled it out, and they wanted it a little more than the other side, and they played with a lot of heart today."

For the third time in as many days, BDS found a way in set five, winning the final frame, 16-14, to give the cooperative its second straight state championship in volleyball.

Junior middle Macy Kamler finished the week with an astonishing 71 kills. She knocked down a match-high 30 against Humphrey St. Francis, who was seeking their first state title since 2005.

Kamler also had 19 digs and an ace.

"It's just the same," Kamler said on the feeling of winning back-to-back titles. "No words can ever describe it."

Senior setter Regan Alfs ended her volleyball career with a triple-double of 20 kills, 29 assists and 23 digs.

Sophomore outside hitter Mariah Sliva had her best game of the state tournament with 14 kills and 19 digs.

BDS committed their share of errors, 49 in fact, but the Eagles beat the Flyers in kills (69-44) and digs (88-77).

Junior right-side hitter and Husker women's basketball target Allison Weidner led Humphrey St. Francis with 15 kills on a .317 hit percentage. Weidner also logged 17 digs.

Senior outside hitter Caitlin Jarosz had 14 kills and 16 digs. Junior setter Peighton Eisenmenger played well with 33 assists and 12 digs.

It's no secret - BDS was pushed to their limits and backed into a corner more than once in Lincoln this year.

But combined with coach Alfs' calm and steady manner, BDS was able to do one key thing right this week, which led to them hoisting a championship trophy for the second year in a row.

"Just making sure we take of our business," Alfs said. "Doing the little things right, and just staying focused and keep having fun. It's the little things that paint the big picture."

Fun, indeed. Stressful? Sure. But, mostly fun.

You can follow Tommy on Twitter @Tommy_NCN.