Team: Pender
Mascot: Pendragons
Colors: Red and White
Class: D-1
Head Coach: Kayla Brewer (2nd season)
2017 record: 5-25
Returning Starters: N/A
Overview:
The Pender Pendragons look for all their returning experience to lead them to a successful season this year.
2nd year Head Coach Kayla Brewer says returners include libero Kaylin Standall (5'2, SR), outside hitter Rylee Lehmkuhl (5'6, SR), senior middle hitters Brittni Beckman (5'8) and Sarah Krueger (5'6), as well as Sadie Lamplot (5'6, SR).
Junior Zoey Lehmkuhl (JR) is expected to take over the setter spot. Ashley Ostrand (5'5, SO) is expected to see action on the right side.
Key losses from last year include setter Tymaree Krusemark and right side Jenna Kubik.
Incoming freshmen include Caitlyn Heise.
Brewer says the team went to quite a few summer camps in Wayne and one in Clarkson.
Brewer adds some girls played spring league.
I think the Pendragons have to be confident and optimistic about the season this year.
I feel Pender has a chance to win a good number of ball games this year given all the experience they bring back.
The Pendragons are definitely veteran laden and have a lot of girls back so there's no reason why Pender shouldn't put a good product on the floor.
I think it's simply a matter of the Pendragons coming together and putting things all together this season.
I look for Pender to turn some heads and surprise some people this season. The Pendragons just have to be passionate, intense, hard nosed, and tenacious.
Pender has to take the fight to their opponents every night, and be a tough and resilient team at all times.
The Pendragons have to find that extra gear at the end of games, and be a well conditioned and well oiled machine.
Season Outlook:
Pender opens up the season on Thursday, taking Fremont Bergan and West Point-Beemer at home in the Northeast Nebraska Volleyball Classic.
Brewer says the Pendragons are very familiar with the Cadets. "West Point-Beemer we've played quite a bit. They beat us last year. I did not feel we played our best. So I'm hoping this year we can step up a little bit more at the very beginning of the season and get a win under our belt right away. They're going to be pretty tough though."
Both matches figure to be very tough, but I think Pender can compete well and hold their own against both squads.
The Pendragons have a mixture of tough and what I consider very winnable matches this year.
I think Pender can double their win total from last year and get to 10 wins at the very least.
Perhaps a .500 season is attainable for the Pendragons as well.
Brewer says this year's seniors want to change the culture of Pender Volleyball. "We have a lot of returning seniors that have always wanted to change the view of Volleyball in Pender. And so far this season they've really been working hard, and we have 3 captains, and they're doing great at leading the team and getting them into weights outside of practice."
Brewer adds team goals this season are to have a winning record and everybody being able to play every spot.
I think players being versatile is going to be imperative and critical to the Pendragons' success this season.
I feel given the nature of the East Husker Conference Pender needs multiple girls to do multiple things.
The Pendragons are in Sub-District D1-6 with Osmond, Lutheran High Northeast, Randolph, and Walthill.
I feel LHNE might be the team to beat in that sub-district, but anything is certainly possible at the end of the season.
I look for Pender to play strong volleyball throughout the year, and save their best for last this season.
2018 Pender Pendragons Volleyball Schedule:
08/30-09/01 (To Be Determined) Northeast Volleyball Classic (2/3-Day Tournament) Wisner-Pilger/Pender
09/04/18 Howells-Dodge Triangular (host: Emerson-Hubbard)
09/04/18 Emerson-Hubbard Triangular (host: Emerson-Hubbard)
09/11/18 @ Logan View/Scribner-Snyder (LVSS)
09/13/18 @ Wakefield
09/18/18 Stanton Triangular (host: Pender)
09/18/18 Wisner-Pilger Triangular (host: Pender)
09/24/18 @ Winside
09/25/18 @ Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family
09/27/18 Neligh-Oakdale Triangular (host: Pender)
09/27/18 Emerson-Hubbard Triangular (host: Pender)
09/29-09/29 (To Be Determined) Clarkson-Leigh (1-Day Tournament, >4 Teams) Clarkson
10/02/18 Tekamah-Herman
10/04/18 Oakland-Craig
10/09/18 @ Homer
10/11-10/13 (To Be Determined) East Husker Conference Tournament (2/3-Day Tournament) TBA
10/16/18 @ BRLD
10/22/18 Clarkson/Leigh
10/23/18 West Point-Beemer Triangular (host: Howells-Dodge)
10/23/18 Howells-Dodge Triangular (host: Howells-Dodge)
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