Team: Wisner-Pilger
Mascot: Gators
Colors: Green and White
Class: C-2
Head Coach: Jean Groth (39th season)
2015 record: 26-7
Returning Starters: 1
Overview:
After almost reaching the state tournament last year, the Wisner-Pilger Gators comeback looking for more in 2016.
Wisner-Pilger returns just one starter though in Lauren Jacobsen (5’9” setter junior).
Head Coach Jean Groth says four starters have been determined, and they are Jacobsen, Allissa Meyer (5’6” opposite, senior), Jayda Oligmueller (5’10”, MH, Senior), and Maci Batenhorst (5’10” M, Junior).
The Gators will certainly need some new hitters to step up and take charge on the attack. Oligmueller appears to be a candidate to do that, along some newcomers who are on varsity, including Cassidy Dixon (5’10, junior, OH), LeAnna Wolverton (5’6” senior OH), and Ashton Meyer (5’8” junior OH). Other newcomers include Ariel Meyer (5’8” Junior OPP), Sutton Bellar (5’4” Junior DS), and Molly Schultz (5’6” Senior DS).
Wisner-Pilger certainly has a lot of players to replace, and they include Setter – Sydney Williams, Middles – Sara Smyth and Baily Batenhorst, and Outside Hitters – Sydney Bradfield and Tessa Ruskamp.
Last year's squad was very talented and senior laden, and it could be argued that it was the Gators' year.
But Groth says expectations remain the same. "Each season, we start out fresh with high goals and aspirations for success. Being in the District Final match is always a part of the plan."
Wisner-Pilger lost in a Sub District final to GACC last year, and the Gators are in another tough sub district this year.
There's no doubt Wisner-Pilger has their work cut out for them this year, especially given the little varsity experience they return, but I still fully expect the Gators to put a quality product on the floor and be competitive.
Wisner-Pilger may not have the same kind of success they did last year in terms of wins and losses, but still expect the Gators to have a good season.
How successful Wisner-Pilger is this season could very well hinge on how quickly players adjust to their new roles and get accustomed to varsity volleyball.
The growth and development part has already been done, now it's simply a matter of the Gators going out there and turning all of their hard offseason work into success.
Season Outlook:
Wisner-Pilger hopes to have success in 2016 after doing a lot of winning in 2015.
Groth says getting to state is the ultimate goal. "It is also always part of the season plan to be in the final tourney of the season (State). To represent one’s school at the State Tourney is always the “Pinnacle of Pride” for a program."
To get there, the Gators will need to get through a tough sub district that includes defending Class C-2 State Runner-Up Stanton, Howells-Dodge, Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family, and Battle Creek.
Groth says goals and expectations include growth and improvement as a team, "Show improvement each and every day. Finding ways to compliment one another and improve the contribution of the whole to be greater than its individual parts."
The Gators will need to improve every day to beat teams like North Bend Central, Stanton, Crofton, BRLD, GACC, Tekamah-Herman, Scribner-Snyder, and Oakland-Craig.
The schedule isn't super difficult for Wisner-Pilger so the Gators should be able to win their fair share of matches before sub district play begins.
It's all about growing as a team and improving throughout the season if you are Wisner-Pilger.
The Gators have to keep getting better as the season progresses. Wisner-Pilger can't afford to not improve.
The beginning of the season figures to be the most interesting for the Gators, in my opinion.
There could be some growing pains and learning experiences early on for Wisner-Pilger. It could take some time for new players to evolve and grow in their new roles.
I don't necessarily expect instant success with this team. The Gators are not going to be made overnight. I believe success will come in time, just not right away.
Normally it takes some time for a team to gel and get comfortable with and used to another. And while a lot of these players are probably already familiar with one another, clicking on the floor as one in a varsity match is somewhat different than working together in JV matches and in practice, in my opinion. The stakes are higher and there's more pressure to perform is the way I look at it.
With all that said, I look for Wisner-Pilger to have a good record come the end of the regular season, and be ready for the postseason.
2016 Wisner-Pilger Gators Volleyball Schedule:
09/01-09/03 (To Be Determined Northeast Nebraska Classic (2/3-Day Tournament) Wisner/Pender
09/06/16 @ West Point-Beemer
09/13/16 North Bend Central
09/20/16 Stanton Triangular (host: Wisner-Pilger)
09/20/16 Pender Triangular (host: Wisner-Pilger)
09/22/16 Crofton Triangular (host: Wisner-Pilger)
09/22/16 Battle Creek Triangular (host: Wisner-Pilger)
09/24-09/24 (To Be Determined) Wisner-Pilger September Classic (1-Day Tournament, >4 Teams) Wisner-Pilger High School
09/27/16 Madison Double Triangular (host: Wisner-Pilger)
09/27/16 BRLD Double Triangular (host: Wisner-Pilger)
10/06/16 Lutheran High Northeas Triangular (host: Wisner-Pilger)
10/06/16 Guardian Angels Central Catholic Triangular (host: Wisner-Pilger)
10/08-10/08 (To Be Determined) Wisner-Pilger Invite (1-Day Tournament, >4 Teams) Wisner
10/11/16 @ Tekamah-Herman
10/13-10/15 (To Be Determined) East Husker Conference (2/3-Day Tournament) Wisner
10/18/16 Twin River
10/20/16 Logan View Triangular (host: Logan View)
10/20/16 Scribner-Snyder Triangular (host: Logan View)
10/25/16 @ Oakland-Craig
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