Eagles split Senior Night triangular with St. Francis, Russell

The Colby High School volleyball team celebrated its seniors with a victory and a dramatic three-set battle Tuesday, sweeping St. Francis before falling just short against Russell in its final home appearance of the season.

Seniors Emily Flanagin, Harper Vaughn and Joslyn Bartlett, along with senior team manager Bretton Thomas, were recognized after the Senior Night triangular.

Colby defeated St. Francis 25-16, 25-18, then lost to Russell 19-25, 26-24, 27-25.

The Eagles overcame early deficits in both sets against St. Francis. Colby trailed 12-11 in the opening set before taking control behind a productive service run from Vaughn. Her stretch included two aces and helped the Eagles build a 16-12 advantage.

Colby continued to pull away and secured the first set, 25-16.

St. Francis responded by scoring the first seven points of the second set and later held a 16-9 lead. Colby steadily erased that deficit, with two consecutive aces from Vaughn cutting the margin to 16-13.

A block by Kenley Moss and Savannah Krohn tied the set at 17, and Colby took its first lead on the following point. The Eagles outscored St. Francis 16-2 after falling behind 16-9, completing the sweep with a 25-18 victory.

Krohn, Moss, Vaughn and Bailey McCorkle supplied kills during the comeback, while Colby also generated points from its serving and blocking.

The Eagles carried that momentum into the final match of Senior Night against Russell.

The opening set remained close through a 16-16 tie. Colby then moved ahead behind kills from Vaughn and points at the net. Flanagin served during a late run that extended the lead from 20-17 to 24-17, and the Eagles closed out the set, 25-19.

Colby appeared headed for another sweep after taking control of the second set. The Eagles led 18-13 and later held their largest advantage at 21-14.

Russell answered with six consecutive points, trimming the lead to 21-20. Colby briefly stopped the run and went ahead 22-20, but the Broncos tied the set at 22 and again at 23.

Vaughn delivered a kill to keep Colby alive at 24-24, sending the set beyond the regulation 25-point mark. Russell scored the next two points, however, taking the set 26-24 and forcing a third.

Colby again built a sizable lead in the deciding set, going ahead by seven points before Russell began another comeback. The Broncos cut Colby’s lead to 12-10, but a Moss block helped stop the run. An ace from Vaughn later gave the Eagles a 17-12 advantage.

Russell rallied once more, erasing a 20-16 deficit with four straight points. The teams were tied at 20, 21 and 22 before consecutive plays by Moss put Colby ahead 24-22 with two opportunities to finish the match.

With the home crowd behind the Eagles, Colby stood one point away from giving its seniors a victory in their final match on the home floor. Russell fought off both match points and tied the set at 24.

Colby earned another opportunity at 26-25, but the Broncos again stayed alive. Russell scored the final two points to win the set 27-25 and take the match two sets to one.

The loss provided a difficult ending to a night on which Flanagin, Vaughn and Bartlett made their final home appearances. Each of the three seniors contributed during the triangular: Vaughn delivered important kills and service runs, Flanagin directed the offense and served during key stretches, and Bartlett provided passing, defense and serving from the back row.

Thomas was also recognized for his work as the team’s manager and his contributions to the program over the last four years.

Although the Eagles were unable to complete the Senior Night sweep, they left their home court after a straight-set victory and a match in which they pushed Russell beyond regulation in each of the final two sets.

Colby finished the triangular 1-1 and moved to 11-14 for the season. Russell improved to 14-10.

The Eagles return to action this afternoon in Scott City, where they will face Goodland and Scott City beginning at 4 p.m.