Clarkson/Leigh's Volleyball Season came to an abrupt end Tuesday night as the Patriots lost 3-0 to Stanton in the C2-6 Sub-District Tournament at Wisner-Pilger after beating Battle Creek in five sets the night before.
The Braves won set one 26-24 and set two 25-14 before Clarkson/Leigh stormed back and won set three 28-26, set four 25-18, and set five 15-7.
Hannah Kasik had 19 kills while Ashlynn Novotny notched 14. Cassidy Hoffman added 10 while Beth Wiese had 7. Halee Steffensmeier posted 11 digs while Kennedy Settje compiled 7. Kaegan Held dished out 48 set assists.
The Mustangs won set one 25-17, set two 25-18, and set three 26-24.
Novotny registered 8 kills while Kasik had 7 kills and 7 digs. Steffensmeier added 9 digs while Held tallied 22 set assists.
Head Coach Becky Schneider says it hurts not to make a Sub-State match. "Extremely disappointed! With having such an amazing team, phenomenal season, and being pretty high in power points, it looked really promising for us. But there was a lot that played into us dropping and unfortunately being passed by other teams. These girls did everything right. It was the outside factors towards the end of the season that we couldn't control, that didn't fall in our favor. It's just really heartbreaking knowing that the team we fought so hard to beat in the first round got to go instead because our loss in the sub-district final dropped our points just enough. It's a hard pill to swallow."
Schneider adds it was a great season despite the abrupt ending. "Thank you! We are beyond proud of them!! They have worked extremely hard from the beginning of summer and throughout all of the season! Being so successful last year really set the tone for this year; they knew what they wanted to accomplish. These girls had the desire and drive to be even more successful than last season. Even though we fell short this year, they still accomplished so many of their team and individual goals, and they continued to have firsts for our volleyball program! So proud!!"
Clarkson/Leigh's season ends at 24-8.
The Patriots were the real deal this year, beating Howells-Dodge, Battle Creek, and Logan View/Scribner-Snyder twice, and Twin River three times. Other big wins came over Cross County, CWC, Humphrey St. Francis, and Mead.
I think ultimately what hurt Clarkson/Leigh in points was not gaining those extra power points for beating C-2 teams like they did last year in D-1. That and C-2 is very good in Volleyball.
Novotny led the team in kills with 304 while Kasik had 293. Steffensmeier finished with 327 digs while Kasik added 266 and Held 222. Held also finished the year with 791 set assists.
This was a very talented senior class that includes Wiese, Held, Steffensmeier, Kasik, Paige Moore, Holly Kuhr, and Sara McEvoy.
Schneider says Kasik was motivated this year after missing last year with an injury. "She had an exceptional amount of determination and passion for the game. Missing out on last year's experience, she had so much drive because wanted nothing else for her team but to get back down to state so she can experience it on the floor and say she was able help her team on accomplishing that goal! She was the tenacious one of our team!"
Schneider says Steffensmeier was a great vocal leader. "She brought about such a spunk! If you don't know her, she seems very quiet, however, that is not the case! She was one of the biggest and loudest communicators on the floor not because she had to be, but because she wanted to and it was natural for her. She was a ball of energy and would have the absolute biggest celebrations on the court! She was definitely the spark of the team!"
Schneider adds it was nice having Kuhr around. "She is one of the most positive and optimistic person that I know. No matter the situation, she was always encouraging her team in such a positive manner. She never got down on anyone, not even herself! She was the light of our team!"
Schneider says Held was the epitome of hard work. "She had an outstanding work ethic, was dedicated, and always lead by example! She always showed up to weights, conditioning and practice ready to work. She always gave 110% effort no matter what and never complained that a workout was ever too difficult. She was definitely our work horse!"
Schneider says Wiese was a great team player. "Every team needs a Beth! For one, she was an outstanding team player. She accepted a new role, but she stayed positive and kept working hard. But the biggest thing was she brought so much quirkiness to the team! She was so blunt, funny, enjoyable and just an absolute blast to be around! I don't think there was ever a practice or game that she didn't make us laugh! She was definitely the candid one of the team!"
Scheider says McEvoy was the motivator. "She had tremendous leadership skills and was dependable. She was my go-to as far as talking to the team and getting girls interested in participating in winter leagues and camps. She was ambitious and would always take initiative! She was always one ask to have open gyms and was always wanting to be in the gym whenever possible! She was definitely the go-getter!"
Schneider says Moore was a true team player in her own right. "She has always been so positive and such a great leader on and off the court! She was always encouraging her team to do better and was always cheering for them no matter if she was on the court or on the bench. She was the first one off the bench to stand and celebrate with and for her team, and she was always cheering when she subbed out. She was a true team player that accepted and embraced a new role her senior year and continued to encourage her team every day. She was the positive leader of our team!"
What great seasons these seniors had. They will be sorely missed.
Schneider says this group was so easy to work with. "There's a lot we will remember about these seniors! For starters, their work ethic and dedication! They all put in the time in the off season and pushed themselves during the season. They were leaders that stepped up every year; in the weight room, during conditioning, and on the court. Second, their attitude, mindset, and selflessness! No matter how hard we pushed them, they never complained!! They were always positive and encouraging each other. They always wanted what was best for the team even if it meant they switched positions or lost playing time. Third, their uniqueness and character! They all brought something fun and exciting to this team that just fit together! They were extremely likable and so entertaining that it just made each season fun and fly by faster than the last. We will definitely remember all the laughs we've had over the years and the relationships we have built!"
Schneider says they accomplished a lot in their four years of high school Volleyball. "Oh man, what can I not say about this senior class? They have been such an amazing, talented group of girls since they came in as freshmen! They've worked hard every day, they were dedicated to improving not only themselves, but dedicated to improving the team, they had the kind of drive and passion that every coach wants for their team, they were goal-setters and did everything in their power to reach those goals, and they've always played for each other. These seniors meant a lot to this program! The success of Patriot volleyball stemmed from these seniors. Three of them started varsity as freshmen and the rest of them joined as sophomores, and since then, they've continued to improve and help grow our program. Over the course of their four years, they have helped turn our losing records into winning records, the last three years, they have broke and re-broke school records, and have helped establish a solid foundation for our program. All in all, we have been so fortunate to have had such a hard-working, dedicated, and well-rounded group of seniors. All of them played an important role on this team and they will all be greatly missed!"
I think the future looks bright for the Patriots too with who all returns.
Key returners include Novotny, Hoffman, Settje, Brittney Urbanek, and Kim Stodola.
Schneider says this year's seniors set the bar high for future teams. "Every year, our expectations grow, and the girls have been responding to those expectations! We have been taking steps to cultivate a culture that is based on hard-work, dedication, positivity, selflessness, and core values. Over their 4 years, this senior class has embraced that culture. Since day one, they have led by example and they have pushed themselves and their teammates to make everyone better. They have taken our core values and applied them on the court! All in all, these seniors have really set the bar high for the underclassmen! Even though they have big shoes to fill, I have no doubt that our underclassmen will rise to the challenge and continue to grow our culture and exceed our expectations!"
It was a great season for Clarkson/Leigh, and they accomplished so much.
It's too bad things had to end the way they did, but the Patriots have an awful lot to be proud of.
Clarkson/Leigh has to use the disappointment of how this season ended as motivation and fuel to the fire next year.
