Howells-Dodge looking to be good again in 2015

Team: Howells-Dodge

Mascot: Jaguars

Colors: Green, Black, and Silver

Class: D-1

Head Coach: Neil VanLengen (284-170 career record)

2014 record: 21-11

Returning Starters: 5


Overview:

The Howells-Dodge Jaguars return a good number of players from last year's team that reached a district final before losing to Humphrey St. Francis for the right to go to state.

Howells-Dodge returns five starters, including Kalli Brester (5'7, OH, 11), Sam Brester (5'8, MB, 11), Kelly Cech (5'9, OPP, 12), Tessa Brester (5'7, S, 11), and Kara Brichacek (5'8, OPP, 12).

The Jaguars don't appear to have a lot of height, but their three returning junior starters should be better players than they were a year ago as should the two returning senior starters.

I look for Howells-Dodge to be a rather quick team that is able to get to tough balls and dig on a consistent basis.  

The Jaguars will have to make up for the loss of outside hitter Faith Molacek and setter Morgan Baumert.

Howells-Dodge should have a good offense as their team strengths are 7 strong hitters and experience, according to Head Coach Neil VanLengen.

VanLengen says perseverance and leadership are two things his team needs to work on this season. "Volleyball is a game of momentum. When we are on, we are as good as anybody, but we must find a way to stop the other team's momentum when they get it and be able to bounce back. We need to find some Leadership that brings positive energy and confidence to everyone on the floor."

I would add that the Jaguars also need to be mentally tough. It will be important for Howells-Dodge to respond to other teams' runs this season, and counter with their own runs and attacks.

VanLengen says this team is dedicated to getting better with a goal of making state. "We didn't end the way we wanted to last year, so motivation isn't a problem. We want to move up in our conference, and make it to the state tournament."

The Jaguars are definitely capable of making it to the state tournament if they work on the things discussed above.

Howells-Dodge has to be a very hungry team this season. The Jaguars have to play with pride and passion, and must be proud to wear the colors of Howells-Dodge.

I definitely think the Jaguars have what it takes to make the state tournament if everything comes together for them at the end of the season.

It's important for Howells-Dodge to keep improving though. The Jaguars have to continually get better as the season progresses.

It will be interesting to see if Howells-Dodge does the things necessary to put themselves in a position to be successful in the conference and make the state tournament.

The Jaguars were no doubt disappointed when they lost to Humphrey St. Francis in the district final last year so I look for Howells-Dodge to keep that match in the back of their minds and use it as motivation to get to where they want to this year.

The Jaguars have to play well in every match to be successful this season, but if Howells-Dodge does the things they are capable of, and plays up to their capability, they should have a memorable year.

It will be interesting to see if the Jaguars can meet and/or exceed expectations this season.

Season Outlook:

I don't think there's any doubt the Howells-Dodge Jaguars are ready to get this season started given how last year ended.

VanLeggen says his squad is optimistic this season, and they should be.

Howells-Dodge returns five quality starters and appears to have a good mix of upperclassmen.

Some players are juniors, some are seniors, but the good news for the Jaguars is they are not young.

Howells-Dodge is built to win, and win now. Expectations have to remain high given the success this team had a year ago.

There are quite a few matches the Jaguars should be able to win fairly easily, but there are other matches in which Howells-Dodge will be challenged.

The Jaguars have difficult matches against Cedar Bluffs, Wakefield, Wisner-Pilger, Oakland-Craig, Stanton, and West Point-Beemer.

Howells-Dodge will no doubt be battle tested at the end of the season as they play a lot of teams in C-1 or C-2.

The Jaguars definitely don't take the easy road to success. Howells-Dodge challenges themselves with who they play.

I'm sure the Jaguars are excited and anxious to get the season underway. I would be too with a bad taste of losing in the district final in my mouth.

Knowing they were that close to the state tournament just has to bug and nag this team.

I'm sure Howells-Dodge will use it as fuel to the fire for an even more successful 2015 season.

I think the Jaguars have a chance to exceed last year's win total and win something like 25 matches.

I look for Howells-Dodge to improve their win/loss total and be in a position to make the state tournament. I think you will see this team play their best volleyball at the end of the season.

Projected Starting Lineup:

 

Kalli Brester, 5'7, OH, 11

Mallory Rolf, 5'7, OH, 12

Sam Brester, 5'8, MB, 11

Haley Eikmeier, 5'10, MB, 11

Kelly Cech, 5'9, OPP, 12 OR Caitlin Klosen, 5'8, OPP, 12

Tessa Brester, 5'7, S, 11

Kara Brichacek, 5'8, OPP, 12

Shelby Hegemann, 5'9, S, 12

Vanessa Hegemann, 5'1, DS, 12 OR Hailey Coufal, 5'3, DS, 11

2015 Howells-Dodge Jaguars Volleyball Schedule:

09/05	(To Be Determined)
09/08/15	Scribner-Snyder	D2
09/08/15	Cedar Bluffs	D1
09/12	(To Be Determined)
09/15/15	Bancroft-Rosalie	D2
09/15/15	Wakefield	C2
09/22/15	@ Lutheran High Northeast	C2
09/29/15	Lyons-Decatur Northeast	D1
09/29/15	Wisner-Pilger	C2
10/01/15	Oakland-Craig	C2
10/06/15	@ Stanton	C2
10/10	(To Be Determined)
10/15-10/17	(To Be Determined)
10/20/15	North Bend Central	C1
10/22/15	Tekamah-Herman	C1
10/27/15	Pender	D1
10/27/15	West Point-Beemer	C1