West Point-Beemer hoping for successful season

Team: West Point-Beemer

Mascot: Cadets

Colors: Red and White

Class: C-1

Head Coach: Bill Frank (17th season)

2014 record: 14-15

Returning Starters: 8


Overview:

The West Point-Beemer Cadets look to build off the early season success they had a year ago when they went 14-15. Veteran Head Coach Bill Frank returns 8 starters from last year's squad.

 

The returning starters include Jade Duhsmann (Sr. 6’ RS), Taylor Weddle (Sr. 5’5 OS), Bethany Anderson (Jr. 5’10 MH), Makenna Weddle (Soph. 5’7 S/RS), Katie Pilkowski (Soph. 5’5 S/DS), Lizbeth Inzunza (Soph. 5’5 Lib), Amanda Hansen (Sr. 5’7 OS), and Madison Voelker (Sr. 5’5 DS).

West Point-Beemer has a few key players to replace from last year, including setter Cassy Gade, Middle Hitter Kristen McElroy, and Brooke Schulzkump.

Frank feels there are a few newcomers who could help his team in sophomores Nicole Mitzel (S/RS), Brittney Hinkel (Hitter), and Leigh Jahnke (DS).

The Cadets should be solid at the outside hitter position and on defense. I also look for this team to be rather quick so they should be able to dig quite a few balls, and keep a lot of plays alive.

Setter could be a question mark for this team. West Point-Beemer needs someone to step into that starting role and do it well.

Frank says the Cadets also need to find a middle hitter. West Point-Beemer has Anderson, but they need more than one middle hitter to produce this season.

Youth could play a factor in the Cadets' season, at least early on. West Point-Beemer needs to gain experience, something they lack in certain positions.

The Cadets have a good mix of upperclassmen and underclassmen. Team chemistry will be important for this team. The players have to get along with one another, and help each other become better people and volleyball players.

A positive attitude has to be contagious throughout the entire roster. West Point-Beemer can't afford to get down on themselves when negative things happen. They have to put negative rallies or things in the rearview mirror, and focus on the next rally.

The Cadets could struggle some early with some of the younger players needing to get settled in, but after the first couple of weeks or so look for this team to take off and have success.

West Point-Beemer has a chance to be a quality team in 2015. It simply comes down to how much they want it and how hard they are willing to work.


Season Outlook:

The West Point-Beemer Cadets are hoping to be good in 2015. And they certainly can be if they can figure some things out in the first couple of weeks.

One thing West Point-Beemer needs to minimize is unforced errors. The Cadets have to find a way to make other teams earn their points. West Point-Beemer doesn't want to just give away points to their opponents.

The Cadets also have to extend plays by serve receiving well. West Point-Beemer has to be able to receive serves well in order to set up their offense the way they want to.

It will be important for the Cadets to make good, smart passes.

Frank shares his outlook for the season. "Looking to push the upper half of the EHC. Need to replace a setter & Rightside & Middle. We should be a better defensive team. As the year goes on & the younger players get more playing time we should become a strong team."

West Point-Beemer will have difficult matches against Wisner-Pilger, Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family, North Bend Central, Wayne, Norfolk Catholic, Arlington, Oakland-Craig, Stanton, and Howells-Dodge.

There are many winnable matches on the schedule for the Cadets, but in order to become a team to be reckoned with, West Point-Beemer has to win some matches they aren't necessarily supposed to.

The Cadets have a chance to be good this year, but how much success they have comes down to how well they go out and execute their game plan, and how much they control what they can control.

West Point-Beemer has to play with tremendous pride and passion throughout the season. The Cadets have to be proud to play for West Point-Beemer, and have to want to represent their school the right way.

The Cadets have to go out there and fight, scratch, and claw their way to victory night in and night out. West Point-Beemer has to want it more than their opponents, and that must show in their play.

Having mental toughness and determination will be critical to the Cadets' season. West Point-Beemer has to find ways to grind out close wins, and take care of business against the teams they're supposed to beat.

If the Cadets can get hot at the right time and play their best volleyball at the end of the season, look for this team to make a push in sub districts and perhaps get to a district final. 

2015 West Point-Beemer Cadets Volleyball Schedule:

09/03/15	@ Lyons-Decatur Northeast	D1
09/08/15	@ Wisner-Pilger	C2
09/10/15	Twin River	C2
09/15/15	Tekamah-Herman	C1
09/17/15	@ Madison	C1
09/19-09/19	(To Be Determined)
09/22/15	Logan View	C1
09/22/15	Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family	C2
09/24/15	@ North Bend Central	C1
09/29/15	Wayne	C1
09/29/15	Arlington	C1
10/01/15	Norfolk Catholic	C1
10/06/15	Oakland-Craig	C2
10/06/15	Douglas County West	C1
10/10-10/10	(To Be Determined)
10/13/15	Stanton	C2
10/13/15	Scribner-Snyder	D2
10/15-10/17	(To Be Determined)
10/20/15	Boone Central/Newman Grove	C1
10/27/15	Pender	D1
10/27/15	Howells-Dodge	D1