CHANUTE, Kan. - Returning to the NJCAA Region 6 Plains District A Tournament for the second consecutive year, no. 5 seed Highland (29-8) squared off against no. 4 seed #14 Neosho County (22-11) on Wednesday night. After falling 3-1 to the Panthers during the regular season, the Scotties returned the favor with a blistering comeback for a 3-1 (14-25, 25-20, 26-24, 25-9) win to advance to the championship match. Four players recorded double-doubles for Highland on the night, with Highland recording seven total blocks.

The Scotties struggled to find a rhythm in the first set, as Neosho jumped out to a 9-4 lead forcing a timeout. Highland was eventually able to string points together to close a 23-9 gap to 23-14, but Neosho held on for the set win.

Two long rallies early in the second set gave Highland a much-needed shot of momentum, as the Scotties held on through a 15-touch rally to tie the set 1-1, and prevailed in a 20-touch rally to take a 7-3 lead.

An overpass kill by Cali Honeyman forced Neosho to call a timeout with HCC in front 8-3, but it only briefly settled the home side, as another surge by Highland forced a second NCC timeout at 15-6.

Highland won the dash to 20 points, but a surge by Neosho drew a timeout from Andrea Keller, settling the Scotties in to close out the second set and tie the match.

In a pivotal third set, Keller was forced to call an early timeout with Highland trailing 13-8. After returning to the court, the Scotties clawed back to take an 18-16 lead. A combo block by Honeyman and Cierra Poldberg closed the Scotties within one point, with a cross court roll shot by Honeyman tying the set at 16-16. A kill by Aubrey Kesler followed by a service ace from Hallie Holthaus put the Scotties up two and drew Neosho's first called timeout.

The teams battled back and forth before a Neosho challenge changed the momentum of the third set. Jaala Stewart hit a kill through the block on the right side, with the line judge signaling that the ball was out of bounds before being overruled by the R1, who spotted a touch by Neosho.

After nearly three minutes at the review monitor, the R2 confirmed the on-court call, sparking an elated Highland side to two quick points before Neosho called its lone remaining timeout.

Neosho was able to tie the set at 24-24, but Honeyman sent the Scotties to set point with a well-disguised dink at the net and Gracie Klecan pushed Highland to a 2-1 lead in the match with a service ace.

Despite having the support of a raucous home crowd, Neosho was unable to withstand Highland's momentum in the fourth set. Highland took an 8-3 lead to force an early timeout by Neosho, then found itself the beneficiary of another disputed touch call, this time with the line judge overruling the R1.

Another Stewart attack was originally signaled out of bounds by the line judge on the R1's side, but the far-side line judge signaled touch and stood her ground. After a brief conference, the call was reversed, turning a 13-6 Highland lead into a 14-5 advantage, extending what would become a nine-point run by the Scotties for a 21-5 lead. Not even a Neosho timeout at 17-5 was able to delay the inevitable.

Honeyman led the Scotties with 18 kills on the night, with Stewart collecting 15. Each recorded a double-double, with 10 and 13 digs respectively, with Holthaus (18 assists, 13 digs) and Rylee Seelhoff (22 assists, 10 digs) joining the quartet.

Highland advances to the 2025 NJCAA Plains District A Championship at no. 1 seed KCKCC on Sunday. First serve is set for 3 p.m.