By TYLER HENRY
Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post
Despite facing a loaded field consisting of several larger schools, the Southeast of Saline volleyball team battled on Saturday and found the podium at their home tournament.
SES got off to a great start when they knocked off 5A Salina South in straight sets (25-20, 25-21) to open pool play, before falling to a 4A foe in Circle (20-25, 18-25).
Undeterred, the Lady Trojans bounced right back, closing out pool play with another big win over 4A Abilene (25-19, 29-27), setting up an all-NCAA battle to open bracket play.
While Southeast would fall to Beloit in straight sets, the team rallied to defeat Smoky Valley in three, earning themselves a bronze finish at this year's Southeast of Saline Invitational.
Photo courtesy of Lori Blake