LINCOLN - Top-seed Leyton surged back from a 2-0 deficit to defeat No. 8 Meridian, 20-25, 23-25, 25-22, 25-18, 15-9 (3-2), in the opening round of the Nebraska School Activities Association Class D2 State Volleyball Championships at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Thursday morning. 

Senior Shawnee Gamble led the charge with 19 kills, rallying her team to a reverse sweep to clinch the victory and keep Leyton's perfect 34-0 record intact. Junior Macey Roelle added 15 kills and an ace serve, while senior Ella Haley contributed 13 kills and an ace. Senior Sydney Fortune supported with 8 kills, and senior Zaili Benish chipped in 2 kills and 2 aces.

It was the second win in school history at the state tournament for the Warriors. Leyton, last appearing at state in 2013, defeated Bancroft-Rosalie in four sets en route to a fourth-place finish in Class D1 in 2008.

The Warriors advance to the semifinals to play No. 4 Central Valley (28-6) at 8 a.m. MST Friday morning at Pinnacle Bank Arena. The match will be heard on News Channel Nebraska radio station 987 The Big Boy (98.7 FM, online at TheBigBoy987.com, the free News Channel Nebraska app or by telling Alexa to "play 98.7 The Big Boy").

On the other side, Meridian’s season concluded with a 20-11 record. Senior Jaylee Sobotka closed out her high school career with 15 kills and an ace, while senior Taelyn Filipi added 10 kills and senior Maria Dimas served up 3 aces for the Mustangs.