Team: Howells-Dodge
Mascot: Jaguars
Colors: Green, Black, and Silver
Class: C-2
Head Coach: Neil VanLengen (307-180 career record)
2015 record: 23-10 (lost to Johnson-Brock in first round of state)
Returning Starters: 5
Overview:
The Howells-Dodge Jaguars look to have another fine campaign as they went 23-10 last year and made it all the way to Lincoln.
The challenge for Howells-Dodge this year though, at least when they get to the postseason, will be getting through tough C-2 teams.
The Jaguars have five returning starters in Kalli Brester (5’9, OH, 12), Sam Brester (5’9, MB, 12), Haley EIkmeier (5’10, MB, 12), Tessa Brester (5’8, S, 12), and Macey Kulhanek (5’5, L, 11).
A total of 9 different girls will start, it all depends on the rotation, according to Head Coach Neil VanLengen. The five returning starters will start along with Erin Prusa (6’0, OPP, 10), Jessi Brester (5’9, OH, 10), Emily Ritzdorf (5’5, DS, 12), and Hailey Coufal (5’5, DS, 12).
VanLengen says big losses include Mallory Rolf, Kara Brichacek, and Shelby Hegeman, but feels Prusa and Jessi Brester are newcomers who could make an impact.
He adds that playing in C-2 won't affect how his team does in the regular season. "Our schedule is the same, so that won’t be a factor as to how many games we win during the regular season."
The Jaguars will need to do well in the regular season to help them advance in the postseason should they not get through their tough sub district. "We are in a brutal sub-district: Stanton, Wisner-Pilger, Humphrey/LHF, Battle Creek and us. Our goal is to win as many games as possible to help us get a wild card into the District Finals if we aren’t able to win our sub-district. If we can be in the top 10 in wild card points, I think we should be able to get one of the 4 wild cards into the District Final."
VanLengen says the goal is to get back to Lincoln and win a match or two even though they're in C-2. "C-2 will be a bigger challenge, but with the returning experience we have, that is our goal."
I expect Howells-Dodge to be good and competitive once again this season.
The Jaguars should have the depth and talent to compete with anyone on their schedule, and should have a good season.
I look for Howells-Dodge to breakout, and have a very respectable season.
I think the Jaguars will have a good regular season, which should help prepare them for sub districts.
It will be interesting to see how Howells-Dodge does in the postseason, but I look for the Jaguars to make a push for a District Final, and a berth into the state tournament.
It should be another fine season for Howells-Dodge.
Season Outlook:
Howells-Dodge still expects to be good as the Jaguars have a lot of integral pieces back from last year.
VanLengen says his team wants to be better than they were last season. "Winning more than last year is our goal, and we were 23-10 last year."
Howells-Dodge has some tough matches on their schedule, including contests with Scribner-Snyder, Cedar Bluffs, BRLD, Oakland-Craig, Stanton, North Bend Central, and Tekamah-Herman.
This isn't including tournaments the Jaguars will play in throughout the regular season.
I really think Howells-Dodge has a shot at winning 25-30 games this year. VanLengen says the idea is to keep improving. "We are looking to get better in practice everyday. Our focus is to get better every time you touch the ball and make every touch meaningful. The girls have had a great attitude, and are working hard in practice."
The Jaguars' work ethic should allow them to have great success this season.
Howells-Dodge has also had a lot of success in Girls Basketball the last couple of years, and I look for the Jaguars' prowess on the basketball court to carry over to Volleyball.
These student-athletes are very talented and athletic, and this is a special group of kids Howells-Dodge has.
The Jaguars are in the midst of a great run in girls athletics, and I think this year's volleyball season has a chance to be the best since the merger between Howells and Dodge.
A lot of memories could certainly be made this sports season for Howells-Dodge Girls Athletics, and the memories start with Volleyball. These girls' play this season is something they will remember for the rest of their lives.
Sports are about having fun and being competitive, and I look for the Jaguars to do a little bit of both this season.
2016 Howells-Dodge Jaguars Volleyball Schedule:
09/03 (To Be Determined) Winside Tournament (4-Team Round Robin) Winside
09/06/16 Scribner-Snyder Triangular (host: Howells-Dodge)
09/06/16 Cedar Bluffs Triangular (host: Howells-Dodge)
09/10 (To Be Determined) Howells-Dodge Tournament (4-Team Round Robin) Howells
09/13/16 Wakefield
09/15/16 @ Logan View
09/15/16 Lutheran High Northeast
09/27/16 BRLD Double Triangular (host: Wisner-Pilger)
09/27/16 Madison C1 Double Triangular (host: Wisner-Pilger)
09/29/16 @ Oakland-Craig
10/01-10/01 (To Be Determined) Clarkson/Leigh Tournament (1-Day Tournament, >4 Teams) Clarkson
10/04/16 Stanton
10/08 (To Be Determined) Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family Tournament (4-Team Round Robin) Humphrey
10/13-10/15 (To Be Determined) East Husker Conference (2/3-Day Tournament) Wisner
10/18/16 @ North Bend Central
10/20/16 @ Tekamah-Herman
10/25/16 West Point-Beemer Triangular (host: West Point-Beemer)
10/25/16 Pender Triangular (host: West Point-Beemer)
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