Photo by Rick Thompson: Humboldt and Hull Western Christian meet in the Class 3A sectional volleyball final in Hull on Tuesday.

HULL — The Humboldt volleyball team fell one win short of advancing to the Class 3A state tournament, losing its regional final to defending state champion Western Christian here Tuesday night.

The scores were 25-20, 25-16 and 25-18.

The reigning North Central Conference champion Wildcats (23-10 overall) reeled off three straight wins, including postseason wins over Garner-Hayfield/Ventura and Forest City, to reach this round.

Humboldt’s 23 wins were the most since 2021 and the 15th time since 2007 they have won at least 20 games.

The game marked the last time in a Wildcat uniform for seniors Larsen Bonnstetter, Elsie Hubbell and Sami Varangkounh.

The second-ranked Western Christian has qualified for state for 24 consecutive years.