BRLD loses Sub-State match to Hartington Cedar Catholic

The BRLD Volleyball Team saw their season come to an end on Saturday as the Wolverines lost 3-0 to Hartington Cedar Catholic in the C2-1 District Final at Wayne State College.

BRLD lost set one 25-14, set two 25-18, and set three 25-16.

Vicki Gatzemeyer posted 10 kills and 7 digs while Kelsey Larsen registered 11 blocks. Kelcee Bacon posted 12 digs while Brandi Simonsen totaled 7 digs. Tiahna Bonneau recorded 9 set assists.

The Wolverines put forth a valiant effort it appears, but it just wasn't good enough to knock off the mighty Trojans.

BRLD ends the year at 18-17.

I thought the Wolverines really played well in the second half of the season as they went 12-7 in their last 19 matches.

That comes after BRLD started the season 6-10.

I think this young team grew up before our eyes, and represented the communities of Bancroft, Rosalie, Lyons, and Decatur very well.

The Wolverines have a lot to be proud of and a lot to be thankful for this season.

Gatzemeyer finished with 268 kills on the season while Larsen and Morgan Bonneau had 151 and 141 blocks, respectively.

Bacon led the way in digs with 334.

Tiahna Bonneau finished the season with a team leading 369 set assists.

BRLD loses Gatzemeyer, Bacon, Sophia Henneman, Lauren Ahlers, Morgan Bonneau, and Tiahna Bonneau to graduation.

So the Wolverines lose some key contributors and players, but return some good talent too.

Key returners for BRLD next season are Zoe Sjuts, Simonsen, Halle Wortman, Larsen, and Tori Ostrand.

There's plenty of talent returning for the Wolverines next year, and I look for these 5 girls to lead this team next season.

BRLD has experienced a district final and success, and know what it's like now.

Now it's a matter of taking that experience and applying it to offseason workouts, conditioning, running, lifting, open gyms, camps, and leagues.

The Wolverines have to be relentless with their workouts this offseason, and must get stronger and quicker.

Gatzemeyer won't be easy to replace, and so someone is going to have to step up and be the offensive leader that she was this season.

New players will have to emerge at setter for BRLD as well with the losses of Tiahna Bonneau and Ahlers.

And the Wolverines will also need to make up for the lost defensive production of Bacon.