Team: Guardian Angels Central Catholic
Mascot: Bluejays
Colors: Blue and White
Class: D-1
Head Coach: Kate Hagemann (3rd season)
2015 record: 31-3 (finished 3rd at state)
Returning Starters: 2
Overview:
The Guardian Angels Central Catholic Bluejays look for another fine season in volleyball as they drop down to Class D-1.
Two starters return for third year Head Coach Kate Hagemann, and they are Maddie Knobbe (6'2 Sr MB) and Kali Stratman (5'5 Jr S).
According to Hagemann, Knobbe is the only player that has already earned a starting spot.
GACC has plenty of girls to replace, including Leah Bracht, Sarah Arduser, Breanne Kreikemeier, Katie Steuter, Morgan Bracht, Kate Knobbe, and Sara Wordekemper.
The Bluejays were hit hard by graduation, but I would say GACC still has a chance to be really good, especially since they dropped down to D-1.
Hagemann says there's quite a few unproven newcomers on the team. "I believe we have a solid freshmen class, but they have a lot to learn and will need to prove they can compete at the varsity level."
GACC certainly hopes to simply reload, and continue their winning ways this season. Hagemann hopes this young team puts themselves in a position to be successful, especially at the end of the season. "Our goal is to always be playing our best volleyball at the end of the year. Our team will look a lot different this year after graduating 7 seniors who all contributed last year. I think we have enough talent on the team to be a good team, but it will depend on how hard the girls want to work to achieve our goals."
It will be interesting to see if the Bluejays can save their best for last, and make a run at the state tournament. I would say there's a good chance they can. Hagemann says her team is simply focused on themselves. "We don't spend much time on thinking about if we are a team to beat. We have a lot of work to do and a lot to learn. We will be young, but if we can learn to be consistent we could be a tough team. I am excited because I think the room for growth and improvement on this team is huge. Whether we can accomplish that is still to be determined. I am not as familiar with D-1 teams yet, but right now we are focused on what is going on on our side of the net."
GACC has had a great deal of success under Hagemann and before so I don't think there's any doubt the Bluejays will continue to improve as the season goes along and be a better team at the end of the season than they are at the beginning.
I don't know if GACC will be as dominant as they have been the last couple of years, but I still fully expect the Bluejays to be a conference and state tournament contender.
Teams like GACC always find a way to figure things out, and I'm sure it will be no different with this team. It might take a little time for new players to get used to varsity volleyball and know their roles, but once those two things happen don't be surprised if the Bluejays get on a roll.
Season Outlook:
Yes GACC is a D-1 team this year, but the Bluejays still play almost all C-1 and C-2 schools.
GACC plays tough teams like Wayne, Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family, Boone Central/Newman Grove, Arlington, Oakland-Craig, Bishop Neumann, Hartington Cedar Catholic, Wisner-Pilger, Crofton, and Pierce.
The schedule appears to be what could be considered murderers row. And if there's ever a year where the Bluejays might lose more matches than usual, this is it.
Hagemann says her squad is not a state championship team at the moment, and explains what it's going to take to be one. "It takes a lot of hard work, commitment, selflessness, talent, and a little luck to win a title. We don't focus on the outcome. We are focused on the process to get there. Right now we are not a state championship level team. The challenge will be can we be in November."
The run towards a state title will begin in late October or early November when GACC begins sub-district play.
The Bluejays are in the D1-4 Sub District with Pender, Clarkson/Leigh, Emerson-Hubbard, and Walthill.
There's a long way until the postseason, and GACC just has to take things one match at a time and improve throughout the regular season. As Hagemann says, they always want to be playing their best volleyball at the end of the season.
Hagemann says she is ready to see what this team can become. "I am excited about this year. We have a lot of young kids in the gym. With that there is a lot of teaching and coaching that gets to occur. Like I said before this year has a enormous chance for improvement over the course of the year. It will be exciting to see where we are in November. We have the potential to be tough, but it is still to be determined if we can reach our potential."
The Bluejays open up the year next Thursday in the Northeast Nebraska Shootout, playing the likes of Wisner-Pilger and Pender.
2016 GACC Bluejays Volleyball Schedule:
09/01-09/03 (To Be Determined) Northeast Nebraska Classic (2/3-Day Tournament) Wisner/Pender
09/06/16 Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family
09/08/16 @ Boone Central/Newman Grove
09/13/16 @ Wayne
09/15/16 O'Neill
09/20/16 Homer
09/22/16 Arlington Triangular (host: Arlington)
09/22/16 Oakland-Craig Triangular (host: Arlington)
09/27/16 Bishop Neumann
09/29/16 Hartington Cedar Catholic
10/04/16 Battle Creek
10/06/16 Lutheran High Northeast Triangular (host: Wisner-Pilger)
10/06/16 Wisner-Pilger Triangular (host: Wisner-Pilger)
10/11/16 @ Pierce
10/13/16 @ Crofton
10/17/16 @ Aquinas Catholic
10/18/16 @ Norfolk Catholic
10/24-10/27 (To Be Determined) Mid State Conference Tournament (2/3-Day Tournament) Battle Creek/Pierce
10/24-10/27 (To Be Determined) Mid State Conference Tournament (2/3-Day Tournament) Battle Creek/Pierce
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