Back at the State tournament for the second straight the Axtell lady Eagles looked to improve upon last year's third place finish in 1A-Division II and that they did as they finishes this season as State runner-up.

The Eagles got their run at State underway in pool play on Saturday and started slow as they struggled against Wheatland-Grinnell losing set one, but bounced back to take set two to force a third set which Wheatland would win to take the match 17-25, 25-19, 16-25. After losing the first pool play match, Axtell's backs were against the wall and they took the number one seed in the tournament in St. John's/Tipton in their second pool play contest. The Eagles won the battle of the birds in a tough three set affair beating St. John's/Tipton 25-22, 17-25, 25-16 to move to 1-1 in pool play action. Needing a win to get to the Semifinals Axtell took on Burrton to wrap up pool play and topped them in straight sets 25-18, 25-10 assuring the Eagles a spot in the Semifinals.

On Saturday the Eagles faced off against the defending 1A-DII State champs in Logan in the Semifinals and while the sets were close it was Axtell winning in straight sets 25-20, 25-21 to claim a spot in the State Championship assuring them at least a second place finish.

In the Championship contest it was a rematch with Wheatland-Grinnell for the Eagles and while Axtell had multiple opportunities the Eagles came up just short falling 20-25, 23-25 to finish as State runner-up.

Three Axtell seniors, Taylor Feldkamp, Courtney Heinen and Kiersten Talbot earned State All Tournament team honors for the Eagles.  (Full All-Tournament teams - click here)

The Axtell Eagles capped their season off with a 32-11 record and match the best State volleyball finish in school history with a second place finish.