KIMBALL, NE — The Kimball Longhorns held close against the Perkins County Plainsmen in set one, by Perkins County slowly pulled away to gain a sweep over the Longhorns Tuesday evening 26-24, 25-18, 25-15. 

Kimball went back-and-forth with the Plainsmen in set one behind a strong two kill, three ace set from junior Jayden Paxton. Kimball had a lead at 20-16, but the Plainsmen chipped away to retake the lead before the teams ended up tied at 24. 

Perkins County then scored back-to-back points to win the opening set 26-24.

The Plainsmen got into more of a rhythm in set two. In the second set, the Plainsmen scored six kills, four blocks and three aces compared to three kills, two blocks and two aces in the first set. The Longhorns fell behind early and tried to keep pace, but fell 25-18 despite four ace serves.

Kimball came out strong in the in the third set, taking a 7-3 lead. From here, Perkins County took over. The Plainsmen went on a 17-3 scoring run to take a 20-10 lead. From there, the teams traded points, but it was too late for Kimball. Perkins County won the final set of the night 25-15 to spoil Kimball's senior night.

Kimball senior Amy Birkhofer finished with six kills, two aces and one block. Paxton had four kills, four aces and one block. 

Perkins County was led by the four kills, two aces, three assists and one block of sophomore Kailee Potts. Senior Samantha Patrick also four kills along with two aces for the Plainsmen. 

The Longhorns (3-21) and the Plainsmen (16-12) will each play next at the C2-11 subdistrict tournament alongside Bridgeport and Sutherland. Brackets will be announced Thursday with games set for Monday, Oct. 25, and Tuesday, Oct. 26.