Team: Stanton
Mascot: Mustangs
Colors: Orange and Black
Class: C-2
Head Coach: Tracy Kuester-Burtwhistle (2nd season)
2015 record: 33-4 (lost to Hastings St. Cecilia in C-2 State Championship Game)
Returning Starters: 3
Overview:
The Stanton Mustangs figure to be good again this year after reaching state for the first time in school history and making it all the way to the C-2 Title game.
Stanton returns three starters, and they are Bree Burtwhistle (5'9, S/OH SO) Jessie Brandl (5'7, OH SO), and Mackenzie Brandl (5'5, L SR).
Head Coach Tracy Kuester-Burtwhistle had this to say about each player. "Mackenzie will inspire her teammates to perform at a higher level. She is very motivational to her fellow teammates and believes what they can contribute to the team. She is exceptional at reading the attack and currently holds the record for most season digs at 794. Mack is a great leader on and off the court and her teammates will look to her for advice on what to change during a match."
"Bree’s knowledge of the game gives her the experience of reading her opponents. She is an exceptional all-around player that makes good decisions when a big play needs to happen."
"Jessie has that competitive drive that gives the team a sense of urgency when we need plays to occur. She will demonstrate a strong ability in her serve and attack. Jess will be one of our leaders to spark our team when we need a big play."
Burtwhistle had 241 kills and 490 set assists for Stanton last season. Jessie Brandl totaled 278 kills and 401 digs.
Other returning letterwinners include Sally Brechbill (5'8, M SR), Hannah Heppner (5'10, M JR), and Allie Spence (5'8, OOP JR).
Other possible contributors include Katie Brandl (5'5, OH SR), Ashley Colwell (5'6, OOP, SR), Kiley Wiedeman (5'6, OH SR), Liz Kremacek (5'4, S SR), and Makenna Espinoza (5'5, S SO).
Depth appears to be a real strength of this Stanton team, and I look for the Mustangs to have another fine season in 2016.
Stanton will need to replace players like Hiliary Huss, but if the Mustangs can make up for her lost production, Stanton should be primed and ready to make another state run.
Teams like Stanton don't rebuild, they reload, and I look for this year's Mustangs' squad to do just that.
Expectations have to remain high for Stanton. The Mustangs have to believe that every match is theirs every time they take the floor.
Stanton is in a tough sub district, but I look for the Mustangs to play superb volleyball throughout the regular season in an effort to gear up for the postseason.
It should be another fine and solid campaign for Stanton.
Season Outlook:
Stanton will definitely be among the hunted this year after making it all the way to the Class C-2 State Championship game a season ago.
The Mustangs have tough matches against Wisner-Pilger, Oakland-Craig, Tekamah-Herman, Scribner-Snyder, and North Bend Central, not including tournaments.
Kuester-Burtwhistle says her team is ready to go. "The Mustangs are looking forward to the 2016 Volleyball Season. We have a good combination of returning starters that give us some experience to continue to be competitive this season. Along with other players that will play a significant role this year that will only enhance our team. Our multi-sport student-athletes compete not only in volleyball, but also have endured success in basketball and track. From that experience they have learned how important each person’s role is to a team to be successful."
This team and these players know how to win, regardless of the sport, and I look for the success in basketball and track to trickle into this volleyball season as well.
Success breeds success, and these girls have done nothing but win in their high school careers.
I look for this year to be no different. I fully expect Stanton to contend for another state tournament berth, and be ready for another postseason run.
Teams like Howells-Dodge, Humphrey-Lindsay Holy Family, and Wisner-Pilger figure to challenge the Mustangs in sub districts so Stanton has to play really well throughout the regular season to put themselves in a position to earn a wildcard, should they need it again.
Battle Creek is also capable of pulling an upset in sub districts if the Mustangs play them.
I don't think there's any doubt Stanton will be challenged throughout the season, especially in the postseason, but I look for the Mustangs to bring their "A" game night in and night out, and play outstanding volleyball every night, just like they did last year.
It might take a little bit of time for the new starters and new varsity players to adapt to their roles, but after the first match or two Stanton should have things down.
I think the Mustangs are capable of winning 30+ matches again this year, and at the very least should win anywhere from 25-30.
I fully expect Stanton to be dominant and make a run at Lincoln once again.
Partial 2016 Stanton Mustangs Volleyball Schedule:
09/01/16 Madison Triangular (host: Clarkson/Leigh)
09/01/16 Clarkson/Leigh Triangular (host: Clarkson/Leigh)
09/15/16 Boone Central/Newman Grove Triangular (host: Norfolk Catholic)
09/15/16 Norfolk Catholic Triangular (host: Norfolk Catholic)
09/20/16 Wisner-Pilger Triangular (host: Wisner-Pilger)
09/20/16 Pender Triangular (host: Wisner-Pilger)
09/27/16 Tekamah-Herman Triangular (host: Oakland-Craig)
09/27/16 Oakland-Craig Triangular (host: Oakland-Craig)
09/29/16 Wayne
10/11/16 West Point-Beemer Triangular (host: Scribner-Snyder)
10/11/16 Scribner-Snyder Triangular (host: Scribner-Snyder)
10/25/16 Logan View Triangular (host: North Bend Central)
10/25/16 North Bend Central Triangular (host: North Bend Central)
10/27/16 Twin River
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