GACC looking to be improved from last year

Team: Guardian Angels Central Catholic

Mascot: Bluejays

Colors: Blue and White

Class: C-2

Head Coach: Kate Hagemann

2018 record: 12-16

Returning Starters: N/A

Overview:

GACC looks to improve upon last year's 12-16 record. Head Coach Kate Hagemann says the Bluejays lost a few girls from last year.

"Last year we graduated two seniors. So Ally Plagge was one of our back row players, and Angela Jansen played the right side for us. So beyond those two and then also Brandi Doernemann was one of our varsity players who will not be back this year due to she tore her ACL last year during basketball season."

Hagemann says everyone else returns with a strong group of incoming players.

Key returners include Brooklyn Bailey, Evelyn Wooldrik, Erica Engelmeyer, Hanna Knobbe, Megan Plagge, Meghan Brunsing, Reece Snodgrass, and Sophia Hass.

With lots of returning players I fully expect the Bluejays to do well this year.

I think you will see GACC turn a lot of their close losses last year into wins this year.

I think the Bluejays have a good chance to have a winning record again this year, and perhaps make a Sub-State match and go to the State Tournament.

This is a team and program that expects greatness and expects to win, and these players and athletes always put the time in.

I'm excited to see what a year of growth and maturity from these girls does for this year's team.

GACC was pretty young last year, and now these girls are a year older and a year more mature and seasoned so they should be ready to do great things.

This is a very proud program with very high expectations, and I look for the Bluejays to live up to those expectations this season.

I don't know if GACC will win something like 30 matches like they did 4-5 years ago, but I think the Bluejays can win something like 15-20 matches at minimum this season.

It will be interesting to see what happens this year because I feel GACC has the potential to be very good.

Losing Doernemann definitely hurts, but I feel there is so much talent and athleticism on this team, and think the Bluejays will be just fine.

It should be a very fun season for GACC, and I'm sure they can't wait to get the season started.

Season Outlook:

GACC opens up the season at home on August 29th against David City Aquinas.

"Oh it'll be a great match and a great way to start the year. It's kind of a different schedule for us. We almost always started our year with the Wisner/Pender Northeast Nebraska Classic. But just with the change in the Volleyball schedule this year we moved a couple of duals ahead of that," Hagemann said.

Hagemann says the Bluejays lost in five sets to the Monarchs in David City last year.

She adds consistency is a key again this season just like it was last year.

GACC lost a lot of five set matches last year, and I get the sense that the Bluejays are very hungry, determined, and motivated to turn those close losses into wins this year.

Hagemann retook the program over last year for Paul Steuter, and I feel things will get returned around for GACC this season.

I thought last year's team was very competitive and good, but just couldn't get over the hump in some matches.

I look for those learning experiences to translate into wins and success on the court this year.

The Bluejays are accustomed to playing in the State Tournament, and I think GACC has a shot to get back to Lincoln this year.

The Bluejays have to come strong out of the gates, and play good consistent Volleyball all season long.

I feel that winning the close matches will be the key to GACC's success this year.

The Bluejays will probably beat and possibly sweep all the teams they're supposed to beat, but winning those tough, close matches will make all the difference for GACC I feel.

The schedule looks pretty tough, but I don't think it's any different than any other year for the Bluejays.

GACC just has to focus on themselves more so than what the other team is doing.

The Bluejays can be very good this year, in my opinion, but closing and finishing off matches will be vital to their success I would say.

2019 GACC Bluejays Volleyball Schedule:

Thursday, Aug 22, 2019
Jamboree 6:00PM Away vs. Wisner-Pilger Wisner-Pilger High School
Thursday, Aug 29, 2019
Match 7:30PM Aquinas Catholic Guardian Angels Central Catholic School
Tuesday, Sep 3, 2019
Match 7:30PM Norfolk Catholic Guardian Angels Central Catholic School
Thursday, Sep 5, 2019
Tournament TBD Away vs. TBA Wisner-Pilger High School
Saturday, Sep 7, 2019
Tournament TBD Away vs. TBA,
Wisner-Pilger Wisner-Pilger High School
Tuesday, Sep 10, 2019
Match 7:30PM Away vs. Humphrey Lindsey, NE
Thursday, Sep 12, 2019
Match 7:30PM Boone Central Guardian Angels Central Catholic School
Tuesday, Sep 17, 2019
Match 7:30PM Wayne Guardian Angels Central Catholic School
Thursday, Sep 19, 2019
Match 6:30PM Away vs. O'Neill O'Neill High School
Tuesday, Sep 24, 2019
Match 7:15PM Away vs. Homer Homer High School
Thursday, Sep 26, 2019
Triangular 5:30PM Away vs. Arlington,
Oakland Craig Arlington High School
Tuesday, Oct 1, 2019
Match 7:00PM Away vs. Bishop Neumann Bishop Neumann High School
Thursday, Oct 3, 2019
Match 7:30PM Away vs. Hartington Cedar Catholic Hartington Cedar Catholic High School
Tuesday, Oct 8, 2019
Match 7:30PM Away vs. Battle Creek Battle Creek High School
Thursday, Oct 10, 2019
Triangular 5:00PM Away vs. Wisner-Pilger,
Lutheran High Northeast Wisner-Pilger High School
Tuesday, Oct 15, 2019
Match 7:30PM Pierce Guardian Angels Central Catholic School
Thursday, Oct 17, 2019
Match 7:30PM Crofton Guardian Angels Central Catholic School
Monday, Oct 21, 2019
Conference Tournament TBD Away vs. TBA,
TBA
Tuesday, Oct 22, 2019
Conference Tournament TBD Away vs. TBA,
TBA
Thursday, Oct 24, 2019
Conference Tournament TBD Away vs. TBA,
TBA