Howells-Dodge ends season with Sub-District loss to Nebraska Christian

The Howells-Dodge Volleyball Team saw their season come to an end Monday night when they lost 3-1 to Nebraska Christian in the D1-5 Sub-District Tournament at David City Aquinas.

The Jaguars won the first set 25-23 before the Eagles took sets two and four 25-13 as well as set three 25-14.

Erin Prusa finished with 10 kills while Taya VanLengen notched 16 digs. Jessi Brester added 11 digs while Alyssa Coufal totaled 8 digs and 16 set assists.

Great effort from Howells-Dodge, but they came up just a little bit short.

The Jaguars end the season at 16-15.

Howells-Dodge really struggled towards the end of the season, going just 3-9 in their last 12 matches.

The Jaguars started off real well, but unfortunately kind of tapered off at the end of the regular season.

Prusa was the team leader in kills this season with 251 while VanLengen led the way in digs with 372. Coufal totaled 542 set assists to lead the team.

Howells-Dodge says goodbye to seniors McKenna Klosen, Tonya Brester, Jessi Brester, Hannah Bayer, Prusa, and Grace Dvorak.

These seniors meant a lot to Jaguar Volleyball and will be sorely missed.

Key returners for next year include Coufal, Grace Kreikemeier, Madyson Cech, Brooklyn Macholan, Jayda Bazata, Lexie Brester, and VanLengen.

I think Howells-Dodge can be good next year as they have a lot of talent returning.

The Jaguars have to work hard this offseason and dedicate themselves to the weightroom and playing the game.

Basketball and Track are big sports for these girls too, but proper time has to be devoted to Volleyball.

The girls have to continue to grow and mature as young ladies and as student athletes.

Howells-Dodge has to get faster, stronger, and more muscle bound in the offseason.

The more weightlifting and things of that nature the Jaguars do the better they will be next season.

Participation in open gyms, summer camps, and summer leagues will be big too I feel.

The more Howells-Dodge plays the game the better they will be next season.

The Jaguars have to use the disappointing ending to this year's season as motivation and fuel to the fire heading into next year.

I have no doubts Howells-Dodge can be good again in 2019, and perhaps win their Sub-District, a Sub-State match, and get to state.

The Jaguars lose some good players, but plenty of talent returns for Howells-Dodge next season.