Wisner-The Wisner-Pilger Volleyball team kicked off the 2017 campaign with a resounding 3-0 sweep of Schuyler at home Thursday night.
The Gators won set one 25-15, set two 25-14, and set three 25-17.
Head Coach Jean Groth says they rely heavily on their servers. "We've got a few people that can earn some points. And the servers tonight as you saw we were down quite a bit in that 3rd set, and we've got a couple servers that can really kind of take a team away from what they want to do.
Junior Jordan Wegner led Wisner-Pilger (1-0) with a match high 17 kills. Maci Batenhorst chipped in 7 kills and 8 digs while Lauren Jacobsen registered 7 digs and 19 set assists. Ariel Meyer notched 12 set assists.
Groth on her team. "Well we lost four seniors, and they were strong in their positions. And these girls were kind of waiting to come and step into their place. And then like I told you earlier we had the girl transfer back in to Wisner that grew up in Wisner, but moved to Lewis Central last year. And so she's a nice addition. It's the Wegner girl in the middle.
Wisner-Pilger returns to action on Thursday, August 31st, taking on BRLD and Wakefield in the Northeast Nebraska Tournament.
Groth says her team knows it'll be a tough season. "The team is real focused right now on recognizing that there are teams on our schedule this year that are definitely going to be better than us. And the only way that we'll have a chance against them is if we can try and dismantle their offense with our serving. And then not allow them to dismantle us with their serving. So focusing on the serve and receive game to try and keep our focus on that."
The Wolverines and Trojans figure to be challenging matches without a doubt.
What I think helps the Gators though is they've already got a match under their belt whereas BRLD and Wakefield have yet to play a match.
I think the Schuyler match was a good tune up for Wisner-Pilger, and will help get them ready for what lies ahead.
This is a big weekend for the Gators. Wisner-Pilger is a great team, in my opinion, but we will find out just how good the mighty Gators are in this tournament.
There's a lot of quality teams and competition in this tournament, but I think Wisner-Pilger stands a chance to be one of the last teams standing come Saturday.
North Bend Central will be very tough as will GACC, Lutheran High Northeast, Tekamah-Herman, and others.
I wouldn't be surprised if this tournament came down to North Bend Central and the Gators, but again the competition is very good and stout in this tournament so the path to the championship match on Saturday doesn't figure to be easy for either team.
The biggest thing for Wisner-Pilger is to take things one point, one set, and one match at a time. The Gators have to be focused on each individual match, and not be looking ahead towards potential matches later in the night/day and/or weekend.
Wisner-Pilger has to take care of business against each team they're playing, and then worry about taking down another team.
The Gators have to take advantage of playing on their home floor this Thursday. Wisner-Pilger has to defend their home court, and use being at home to their advantage.
The Gators must have the attitude and mindset that no one is going to come into their house and beat them.
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