The Wisner-Pilger Gators saw their magical season come to an end on Tuesday as they lost 3-2 to Guardian Angels Central Catholic in C2-3 Sub District Play at Pender. This coming after Wisner-Pilger defeated Oakland-Craig 3-2 last Monday.
The Knights took set one from the Gators 27-25. Wisner-Pilger rebounded to win set two 25-14 and set three 28-26. Oakland-Craig won set four 25-22 before the Gators prevailed in set five 18-16.
Sydney Bradfield finished with 18 kills and 12 digs while Bailey Batenhorst totaled 16 kills and 9 digs. Sara Smyth added 12 kills and 15 digs while Tessa Ruskamp notched 9 kills and 15 digs. Lauren Jacobsen had 16 digs and 9 set assists while Sydney Williams registered 36 set assists.
Wisner-Pilger took set one from the Bluejays 25-22. GACC bounced back to win sets two and three 25-13 and 25-22. The Gators took set four 27-25, but the Bluejays prevailed in set five, winning it 15-8.
Bradfield notched 18 kills and 24 digs while Batenhorst totaled 15 kills and 13 digs. Smyth recorded 9 kills and 9 digs while Ruskamp notched 9 kills and 11 digs. Jacobsen added 24 digs and 12 set assists while Williams posted 11 digs and 30 set assists.
The Gators had a tough sub district, and nearly won it. Wisner-Pilger just missed out on a wildcard, and had it not been for Stanton losing, the Gators would be playing down in Lincoln on Thursday.
As it is Wisner-Pilger ends the season at 26-7.
The Gators part ways with Smyth, Ruskamp, Batenhorst, Williams, and Bradfield.
Each of these talented five seniors will be missed, and their contributions to Wisner-Pilger Volleyball will not soon be forgotten.
Allissa Meyer, Jacobsen, and others will be asked to step up and play significant roles on next year's team.
The Gators lose a very talented class of seniors, and making up for their departure will not be easy.
Batenhorst led the team in kills with 330 while Bradfield had a team leading 49 ace serves. Smyth led the way in blocks with 60 while Ruskamp notched 231 digs to lead the team. Williams led the way with 431 set assists.
It's going to be very difficult for next year's team to duplicate the success this senior class and this team had this season.
However, it's simply time for new players to step up and emerge, and become leaders.
This program is now going to be led by different players so the returning players and newcomers have to take it upon themselves to have a successful offseason and get ready to roll in 2016.
It will be interesting to see what kind of impact the new starters have on next year's team. I think Wisner-Pilger could be good again next year, but it's going to take a lot of hard work for the Gators to remain at the top.
One thing is for sure though...Wisner-Pilger should be very hungry heading into next season given the way this season ended.
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