Team: Emerson-Hubbard
Mascot: Pirates
Colors: Purple and Gold
Class: D-2
Head Coach: Dylan Kent (2nd season)
2016 record: 5-23
Returning Starters: 6
Overview:
The Emerson-Hubbard Pirates are expecting to be better than they were last year when they finished with a 5-23 record.
Emerson-Hubbard returns 6 starters, including Courtney Bokemper OH (11th), Hope Gubbels OH (12th), Stephanie Ferrusca S, DS (11th), Brook Ahlers M/L (12th), Taylor Lamp MH (12th), and Taylor Daum MH (11th).
Other players on the team are Madison Gunderson S (10th), Katelyn Ahlers OH (10th), Alexa Sullivan MH (10th), Paige Kinnaman DS (12th), Addison Mackling OH (10th), and Isabella Parker-Diaz S (10th).
Head Coach Dylan Kent says a few key players from last year's team are gone. "Skye Miller (S) and Caleigh Mackling (OH) graduated. Emma Haberman (S) transferred. Losing both of my main setters was the biggest loss. We've found good replacements but they don't have as much experience as the other two, so the first few games will be an adjustment for them. Caleigh was our big outside hitter and scored us a lot of points."
The Pirates have some experienced and young players this year. Kent says the sophomore class could make an impact this year. "All of my sophomores are going to be a big help this year. They add depth to my roster especially at setter. "
Kent adds she has a better understanding of how to do things as a Head Coach. "As the year progressed, I gained a better understanding of how to utilize my players in different situations and when to sub. This year I am already working on some different rotations using a majority of my roster. It's just nice to have a year under my belt. I just feel more confident for this year already and am excited to get the season started."
I think Emerson-Hubbard will be better than they were last year. Bokemper and Daum figure to be big time players for the Pirates. Being in Class D-2 should help Emerson-Hubbard.
Last year was a rebuilding, transition, and learning year for the Pirates. A season of growing pains you could say.
But now that Emerson-Hubbard returns 6 starters and players are more familiar with Kent's system I think the Pirates will find a way to at least double their win total if not do better than that.
I really think that good times and things are in store for Emerson-Hubbard this year.
Season Outlook:
Emerson-Hubbard went 3-5 in their last 8 games last year after going just 2-18 in their first 20 contests.
Kent says winning a few matches at the end of last season has carried over into this year. "Winning a few games at the end of last season did help a lot. Girls have a positive attitude going into this season. I have a split roster (young/experienced) but they're all confident in their abilities. I think they need a few games under their belt but we might surprise some people."
Kent adds this team expects to play at a high level this year. "This year I expect the girls to be able to compete well against all of our opponents. Height will probably be our biggest disadvantage, but I don't think that is going to hold us back. As long as we keep our heads up and stay positive we will be able to better ourselves."
Girls will most likely have to be versatile this year, according to Kent. "Offseason was good. Girls realized they might need to switch up positions or be able to play multiple positions."
Kent adds doing better than last year is the outlook for this team.
I don't think there's any doubt that will happen with many winnable matches on the schedule.
I look for Emerson-Hubbard to win the matches they're supposed to, and compete better against the tough teams on their schedule that swept them last year.
The Pirates only won 4 sets in their losses last year, and I look for that to change this year.
I think you will see Emerson-Hubbard win more sets during losses, and not get swept so much.
I think the Pirates will be a much more reputable team this season than they were last year.
I'm not expecting Emerson-Hubbard to be what they were two years ago, but I look for the Pirates to win anywhere from 10-12 matches at least.
I think Emerson-Hubbard can improve their seeding in the Lewis and Clark Conference Tournament, and be a factor in that tournament as well as Subdistricts.
The Pirates are in Subdistrict D2-3 with Humphrey St. Francis, Scribner-Snyder, St. Edward, and Winside.
Not an easy Subdistrict by any means, but Emerson-Hubbard should be a factor in it.
The Pirates open up the season on Thursday against Ponca and Homer at the Ponca Triangular.
2017 Emerson-Hubbard Pirates Volleyball Schedule:
08/31/17 Ponca Triangular (host: Ponca)
08/31/17 Homer Triangular (host: Ponca)
09/05/17 North Bend Central Triangular (host: Pender)
09/05/17 Pender Triangular (host: Pender)
09/07/17 Randolph Triangular (host: Randolph)
09/07/17 Osmond Triangular (host: Randolph)
09/12/17 @ Laurel-Concord-Coleridge
09/14/17 @ Allen
09/19/17 Ponca
09/21/17 BRLD Triangular (host: Emerson-Hubbard)
09/21/17 Winnebago Triangular (host: Emerson-Hubbard)
09/26 (To Be Determined) Ponca Inv (4-Team Round Robin) Ponca
09/28/17 Pender Triangular (host: Neligh-Oakdale)
09/28/17 Neligh-Oakdale Triangular (host: Neligh-Oakdale)
10/03/17 Walthill Triangular (host: Wynot)
10/03/17 Wynot Triangular (host: Wynot)
10/05/17 Homer
10/10/17 @ Wakefield
10/14-10/14 (To Be Determined) Hartington-Newcastle Invite (1-Day Tournament, >4 Teams) Hartington
10/17/17 Hartington-Newcastle Triangular (host: Emerson-Hubbard)
10/17/17 Winside Triangular (host: Emerson-Hubbard)
10/21-10/24 (To Be Determined) Lewis and Clark Conference Tournament (2/3-Day Tournament) TBA
No comments:
Post a Comment