Team: Clarkson-Leigh
Mascot: Patriots
Colors: Red, Blue, and Gray
Class: C-2
Head Coach: Becky Schneider (7th season) (76-115 career record)
2017 record: 25-10 (Lost to BDS in the first round of state)
Returning Starters: 5
Overview:
The Clarkson/Leigh Patriots return 5 starters from last year's state qualifying team.
Returners include Kaegan Held (5'4, SR S), Ashlynn Novotny (5'10, JR M), Holly Kuhr (5'3, SR DS), Sara McEvoy (5'8, SR RS), Paige Moore (5'9, SR OS), Halee Steffensmeier (5'4, SR L), and Beth Wiese (5'9, SR OS).
Other returning letterwinners/newcomers include Hannah Kasik (5'10, SR M), Kim Stodola (5'10, JR M), Brittney Urbanek (5'8, JR DS), Cassidy Hoffman (6'0, SO M/RS), Alissa Kasik (5'3, SO DS), and Kayden Schumacher (5'8, SO OS).
I look for big things from Hannah Kasik, who returns this year after missing all of last year with an injury.
The only senior lost from last year was Sydney Folken.
7th year Head Coach Becky Schneider says the Patriots are loaded this year. "We return 5 starters and have a solid senior class, backed up with some returning juniors and sophomores. We bring lots of varsity experience and a lot of depth. We look to continue to be successful as our girls have been working hard and they know what it takes to come out on top!"
Clarkson/Leigh made State when these now seniors were juniors, and had a special season last year.
The Patriots were in D-1, and are now in C-2. Schneider says there's not much room for error if the team hopes to make a second straight trip to Lincoln. "We've got a lot of girls that know and want to get back to state. And we've preached that we can't take any sets off. Every set is going to matter. Actually even in practice we have the motto like every rep counts. So we go hard in practice, they know what's expected of them, and they just know that they can't take any points off, and that it's going to count all the way to the end."
Schneider says the team is looking pretty fierce.
She adds the team took part in the Northeast Nebraska Winter League, Nebraska Wesleyan Team Camp, and the Top 10 camp in Kearney over the offseason.
Clarkson/Leigh may be in C-2, but that doesn't really affect anything except the postseason.
The Patriots are playing pretty much the same schedule they would if they were still in D-1.
Clarkson/Leigh has to go out there and play their game, and can't back down from anyone.
The Patriots have to establish a high level of play, a level of dominance, and must become a feared team if they haven't done that already.
Clarkson/Leigh has to raise their level of play, and play up to their competition throughout the season.
The Patriots have to treat every practice and match like it's a sub-state match, and put their heart and soul into this season.
It's the last year for a lot of these girls playing High School Volleyball so Clarkson/Leigh has to go out there and make their dreams a reality.
Season Outlook:
Clarkson/Leigh looks to have a solid and fine season once again in 2018.
The Patriots host arch rival Howells-Dodge in the season opener Tuesday night in action that can be heard on 107.9 the Bull.
Schneider says the Jaguars got the best of her team in Kearney. "We faced them down in Kearney, and they've actually stepped up. They have a few players that kind of got to us, and we actually lost both sets."
I think Clarkson/Leigh can definitely beat Howells-Dodge this time around. The Patriots are at home, and are coming off a state berth.
Clarkson/Leigh has to make it count this time though.
First serve is set for 6:30 p.m. on the Bull.
Stanton, Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family, Lutheran High Northeast, Humphrey St. Francis, and Oakland-Craig all figure to be tough matches on the schedule.
I think the schedule sets up nicely for the Patriots with other challenging matches in tournaments and such.
I think the one team that could be a nemesis and a thorn in Clarkson/Leigh's side is Stanton.
I feel the Patriots are a top team in the East Husker Conference and in their sub-district, but the Mustangs are in both as well, and it's hard to argue that Stanton is the top dog as of right now.
That doesn't mean Clarkson/Leigh can't beat the Mustangs though as they're definitely capable of winning any match on any given day/night, but Schneider says the Patriots haven't ever beat Stanton, or even taken a set from the Mustangs.
Clarkson/Leigh will definitely have an uphill battle against Stanton to say the least, but that should only fuel and motivate the Patriots, and be a reason they work even harder this season.
Clarkson/Leigh is in Sub-District C2-6 with the Mustangs, Battle Creek, Norfolk Catholic, and Madison.
This is why every regular season match is so important. The Patriots need something to fall back on to make a sub-state match should they not win their sub-district.
Schneider says she likes the new sub-state format. "I'm kind of hit and miss on the power points. I think it's a great system that they've put in. I feel that they went about it all wrong previously. But this way I feel that it's the best shot that you have to definitely earn your way to state, and not be a shoe in, or a lack thereof. But I like it, I like the idea of it, and I hope it plays well in our favor."
Schneider hopes her team is one of the top dogs in the conference this season as well.
I think Clarkson/Leigh will be one of the best teams in the area, conference, and perhaps Class C-2 this season.
I think the Patriots can make state again depending on who they get matched up with at sub-state if they make it that far.
If Clarkson/Leigh can get a top 4 seed they might avoid having to play a team like Hastings St. Cecilia or something like that.
I think with an outstanding regular season and a good matchup at sub-state the Patriots could be Lincoln bound for the second straight season.
2018 Clarkson/Leigh Patriots Volleyball Schedule:
08/28/18 Howells-Dodge
08/30/18 Madison Triangular (host: Madison)
08/30/18 Stanton Triangular (host: Madison)
09/04/18 @ BRLD
09/13/18 High Plains Community Triangular (host: High Plains Community)
09/13/18 Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family Triangular (host: High Plains Community)
09/15-09/15 (To Be Determined) Stanton (1-Day Tournament, >4 Teams) Stanton
09/18/18 @ Twin River
09/22-09/22 (To Be Determined) Hampton Tournament (1-Day Tournament, >4 Teams) Hampton
09/25/18 @ Logan View/Scribner-Snyder (LVSS)
09/27/18 Schuyler
09/29-09/29 (To Be Determined) Clarkson-Leigh (1-Day Tournament, >4 Teams) Clarkson
10/02/18 Shelby/Rising City Triangular (host: Clarkson/Leigh)
10/02/18 Lutheran High Northeast Triangular (host: Clarkson/Leigh)
10/04/18 Humphrey St. Francis
10/06 (To Be Determined) Humphrey-Lindsay Holy Family Quad (4-Team Round Robin) Humphrey
10/11-10/13 (To Be Determined) East Husker Conference Tournament (2/3-Day Tournament) TBA
10/16/18 @ Oakland-Craig
10/22/18 @ Pender
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