Millard South Takes on Cinderella Roll in Metro Conference Tourney with Upset

<p>RALSTON - The sixth-seeded Millard South volleyball team has found its Halloween costume a little bit early this season.</p> <p>The Patriots pulled a stunning 20-25, 25-23, 28-26 upset of third-seeded Millard West in the Metro Conference quarterfinals last night to officially become of the Cinderella of this year's tournament. It was only the second time this year Millard West has lost a non-Tier 1 team, with the only other loss coming to Papillion-LaVista South in the first match of the season.</p> <p>Senior Lauren Walez, who had the final two kills of the match, led the Patriots with 12 kills on the night while Maddie Madej had seven and Claire Larson and Paige Fixemer each had six. Jaisee Stinson had 31 assists and four kills for the Patriots and Sam Steele had a team-high 28 digs.</p> <p>Gabi Nordaker had 14 kills for Millard West on .327 hitting while Jaiden Centeno had 17 digs and Bree Green had 29 assists for the Wildcats. </p> <p>Millard South will face Elkhorn South in the semifinals as the second-seeded Storm held off an upset bid from Papillion-LaVista South 11-25, 25-22, 26-24.</p> <p>Rylee Gray led Elkhorn South with 11 kills and 3.5 blocks while Mackenzie Saitta and Ibi Green each added nine kills. Madi Woodin had 29 assists for Elkhorn South and Jordan McCormick had 23 digs. For Papillion-LaVista South, Jessica Hendrix had nine kills, Mara LeGrand had 16 assists and six kills while Ashlyn Dierks had 17 digs and 11 assists and Leah Palensky had 17 digs.</p> <p>Top-seeded Millard North advanced to the semifinals with a 25-14, 25-11 win over Bellevue West. McKenna Ruch led the Mustangs with 10 kills Izzy Lukens had 23 assists and Emma Altman 13 digs.</p> <p>For Bellevue West, Kealy Kiviniemi and Kaia Hada each had four kills. </p> <p>Papillion-LaVista will take on Millard North in the semifinals after the Monarchs held on for a 20-25, 25-21, 25-23 win over Omaha Marian.</p> <p>Norah Sis led Papillion-LaVista with 22 kills and 13 digs while Chloe Paschal had 17 kills and 11 digs. Samantha Riggs had 26 digs and Brooklyn Schram finished with 43 assists and 13 digs.</p> <p>Emily Bressman led Marian with 12 kills and 12 digs and Hailey Zuroske had 11 kills and 17 digs. Sarah Montague had 21 assists and Ashley Straub had 19.</p>