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The 2002 Lady Bears roared through post-season games
LAUREL — It’s been 23 years since the Laurel-Concord Lady Bears last punched their ticket to the Nebraska State Volleyball Tournament.
Back in 2002, the Black-and-Orange didn’t just qualify — they stormed into Lincoln with momentum, grit, and a flair for drama, delivering one of the most memorable postseason runs in program history.
That fall, the Bears tore through the bracket, first sweeping Cedar Catholic and rolling past Emerson-Hubbard to claim the Sub-District title. Behind electric serving bursts from Tiffany Erwin and powerful net work from Tori Cunningham, Laurel-Concord repeatedly overwhelmed opponents with long scoring runs.
Erwin once rattled off 11 straight points, while Cunningham later finished off a match by serving seven in a row.
Coach Patti Cunningham praised the team’s edge, calling them “aggressive and disciplined… Ball control was a strength.” Strong blocking from Emily Schroeder, plus defensive anchors Susan Pritchard and Katie Peters, kept opponents off balance all tournament long.
From there, Laurel-Concord faced a familiar foe — Elkhorn Valley — for the District championship. With state on the line, the Bears leaned again on cool serving, hustle defense, and timely kills to prevail in a tight battle. Schroeder and Pritchard hammered home key points, while Peters’ clutch short-court defense kept rallies alive.
The victory sealed the Lady Bears’ trip to Lincoln.
At State, the Bears advanced behind a balanced attack. Cunningham’s hands guided a smooth offense, finishing the weekend with 45 assists and an impressive 109-for-110 serving mark.
Schroeder continued a dominant postseason — finishing with 33-31 hitting in one match, 10 blocks, and a host of digs. Pritchard stuffed the stat sheet, recording kills, digs, and six aces against West Point Central Catholic.
The Bears mounted multiple comeback pushes during their final contests, refusing to fold under championship-level pressure. Central Catholic coach Don Matt noted his team constantly had to adjust to stay in front of Laurel-Concord: “We try to mix things up as much as we can to keep teams off balance.”
Standing tall in black and orange, the Lady Bears finished as Class C-2 State Runner-Up — their second straight year making a championship push — and secured their place among the most decorated L-C teams of the decade.
Coach Cunningham said the group’s run reflected more than just wins: “To be great at something involves commitment, hard work and character.”
The 2002 Lady Bears — a determined, fearless, tightly-bonded squad — brought all three to the floor each night.
Their season still stands as one of the most thrilling and complete postseason charges in Laurel-Concord history.
