Laurel-Concord last went to state in 2002 earning a Class C2 runner-up finish to go along with seven other appearances highlighted by top finishes in 2000 (C2 runner-up), 1996 (C2 state champion) and 1995 (C2 runner-up) while Coleridge has made two state appearances.
Laurel-Concord-Coleridge in 2025 has continued to make history each time they've stepped foot on the court qualifying for state as LCC for the first time.
Head coach for LCC, Julie Kvols said the team looked proud to be there.
"They were standing looking up in the stands taking it all in," said coach Kvols. "It was definitely a wow moment for everyone. Surreal is the way some of the girls described it."
From the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln, #6 LCC suffered a four-set loss to #4 Freeman (23-25, 25-16, 18-25, 27-29) on Nov. 8.
The Bears (33-4) had their 14-match win streak snapped while the Falcons (29-4) finished on an eight-match win streak as the champion.
Coach Kvols said competing at the state tournament was an amazing experience as she had the team just take a moment with a deep breath and listen to all the sounds and really take it all in before getting focused for the match.
"I had people come up to me and say they were so impressed by our girls and how they embraced second place as more of an honor than a defeat," said coach Kvols. "It is an honor, so many teams as we have experienced before their season ends in a high school gym somewhere in Nebraska and we got to end our season as state runners-up."
It was a steady force of play in the double-double category with three each coming from juniors Rena Rasmussen and Carlie Kvols; junior Kaida Eriksen tallied two double-doubles and one was posted by senior Tyler Recob.
For the tournament, Ramussen recorded 59 kills, 48 digs and four blocks (three solo). She hit .276 in three matches.
Kvols finished with 114 assists, 38 digs, eight kills and three blocks (two solo).
Other top performers were Recob (22 kills, 41 digs, solo block) and Eriksen (39 kills, 59 digs, two blocks) while junior Boston Brown (10 kills, 32 digs, two blocks); sophomore Taelynn Settje (21 digs and a kill), senior Laney Folkers (five kills, three digs) and junior Justice Olson (two digs).
Junior Hattie McCorkindale appeared in the finals posting a service ace and dig.
Service ace leaders were Recob (four), Rasmussen and Eriksen (two each) as well as Brown (one).
#6 LCC began the state tourney with a four-set win on Nov. 7 knocking out the #3 seed of Norfolk Catholic (25-23, 17-25, 25-22, 25-22).
Coach Kvols added during their second timeout in the second set, momentum was highlighted.
"Little things going wrong were momentum things," said coach Kvols. "Those balls are in if we are playing with the momentum. So let's get some of that momentum and take it into the third set and I think they did that. They had some good hustle plays, got some big kills and then momentum started coming back."
The Bears then punched their ticket to the finals thanks to a 3-0 sweep over #7 Oakland-Craig (25-23, 25-17, 25-23).
Coach Kvols mentioned it felt good to avenge a previous loss to the Knights (O-C won 2-0 on Sept. 27, LCC then won 3-2 on Oct. 29).
"We had a balanced offense to help push that win and wow our defense made a statement in this game and the whole state tournament," said coach Kvols. "The amount of hustle plays just makes my heart happy as a coach. After that game at some point in time I asked the girls doesn't a kill feel better off a big dig. They all agreed. They had to experience to fully buy in. But they felt it and as a coach for your defense to pick up on the biggest stage is the greatest feeling."
Additional state tourney photos can be found in the Nov. 13 issue of the Wayne Herald.
Laurel-Concord-Coleridge posted a season-best 19-match win streak to start the season only dropping two sets (winning 43) from Aug. 28 - Sept. 27.
The Bears then suffered three straight losses (2-7 in sets played) before winning 14 in a row to earn a trip to the C2 finals.
Head coach Julie Kvols knew her team could play high level volleyball.
"We played some really good teams throughout the year and we saw so many great moments and also moments that we could learn from," said coach Kvols. "I always tell the girls, win or lose, we learn from every game. I believe they did that and also helped us get as far as we did."
First to the seniors: "thank you to our seniors," said coach Kvols. "Your hard work and commitment to our volleyball family will leave a lasting impact. You lead this team with pride and passion and love for the game and your teammates."
To the fans: "as a team we definitely felt the love of our communities down at state," coach Kvols added. "The memories made at the state tournament are something these fans and girls will remember forever and so glad to be a part of it together. Thank you BEAR NATION from the bottom of our hearts!!!"
To the future of LCC volleyball: "the underclassmen got the taste for state volleyball and I know they will be working their tails off in the off season to make it happen again," coach Kvols mentioned "It won't be easy but I know these girls love to be challenged. WOW WHAT AN EXPERIENCE!!!!."
