The Wisner-Pilger Volleyball Team lost 3-1 to Superior in the first round of the Class C2 State Tournament at Lincoln Southwest Thursday night in action aired on 107.9 the Bull.
The Gators lost set one 26-24 before winning set two 25-21 only to drop set three 25-18 and set four 25-17.
Lily Otten led Wisner-Pilger with 10 kills and two solo blocks, while Karrin Jindra and Rachel Otten each had nine kills. Aspin Waterman added seven. Rachel Otten added three solo blocks, Jindra had 14 digs and Emily Buhrman had 12 digs.
Aid Meyer recorded a double-double with 25 set assists and 12 digs.
Head Coach Jean Groth says her team stepped up to the challenge. "As you saw... the Meyer sisters brought a level of attack that was not matched by anyone on our schedule this year. I felt like the Gators did an excellent job of pressing the ball control of Superior. Knowing that any 'in-system" ball was coming back to us in full force. The team battled throughout the entire match and I was very proud of their performance."
Wisner-Pilger’s season ends at 22-12.
Groth says making state was an amazing feeling. "Representing their school at the State VB Tourney was a great accomplishment for this team. They were filled with pride, and deservingly so."
Rachel Otten led the team with 247 kills on the season while Jindra totaled 330 digs and Buhrman 309.
Meyer led the team in set assists with 463 for the year.
Groth says this year's senior class was special. "We have all heard many times, there is no "I" in TEAM. But there was an "I" in this team... and it was Individualism. We had 6 seniors this season, and they each had an "individual talent" that made our team successful. They all offered that individual talent to the betterment of the team. Graduation will leave holes, and those holes will need to be filled. There are Juniors, Sophomores, and Freshman ready to grab that challenge."
Key returners include Meyer, Buhrman, Reagan Scholting, Tymarie Ott, and Lily Otten.
There's a lot of girls returning for the Gators next season, and Wisner-Pilger should have a chance to be good once again.
This year's senior class includes Rachel Otten, Ashley Brahmer, Aspin Waterman, Jindra, and Erin McGuire.
This year's senior class will really be remembered and sorely missed for sure.
It was a very special season for the Gators, and Wisner-Pilger should be very proud of themselves.
Groth looks for this State Tournament berth to carry over some momentum into next year. "Any time your team can experience success at the end of your season, I believe it leaves a fire smoldering for the beginning of the next year."
The Gators will be breaking in many new players and will have some new faces on the floor.
Wisner-Pilger will be young next year, but making state this year should help the Gators next season, especially early on.
This year's senior class has set the bar for future success.
The returning players and newcomers now know what it takes to be successful and get to state.
Wisner-Pilger has to take what they learned from this year and apply it to their offseason workouts and conditioning.
The Gators have to really get after it and take part in as many team and summer camps and summer leagues and open gyms as possible, and have a burning passion in doing so.
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