Howells-Dodge hoping talent and experience leads them to big season

Team: Howells-Dodge

Mascot: Jaguars

Colors: Green, Black, and Silver

Class: C-2

Conference: East Husker 

Head Coach: Taryn Janke (2nd Season)

2019 record: 18-13 (Lost to Stanton in Sub-Districts)

Returning Starters: N/A

Overview:

The Howells-Dodge Volleyball Team returns a lot of talent and experience as they boast the likes of Cassie Pieper (DS 5’4’ 12), Grace Baumert (OH 6’1 10), who is a new transfer and had 326 kills as a freshman, Brooklyn Macholan (MH/RS 5’8" 11), Riley Pokorny (OH 5’8” 12), Jayda Bazada (DS 5’4” 12), Janessa Schmidt (MH 5’9”12), Carly Bayer (MH 5’11" 10), Ellie Baumert (S 6’2” 11), a new transfer and Texas Tech recruit who has 1,419 assists, and Lexie Brester (S/RS 5’7” 12).

What sticks out to me are the new Baumert transfers. They should make a HUGE impact on this team to go along with their experience.

Of course everything depends on the coronavirus pandemic.

Janke says it set her team back, but they've since gotten back into the swing of things. "It was rough not being about to finish out spring competitions but once we got to start back up in July we did not waste any time. We accomplished a lot in a short amount of time and used the camps we were able to attend to our advantage to work out the kinks. Everyone was feeling confident going into the start of Fall season."

Hopefully the pandemic doesn't shut down or affect the season in any way.

Let's hope we get a full season of Volleyball in the State of Nebraska.

If we do, I feel this Howells-Dodge team can and will be very good.

Perhaps even getting back to the State Form they were at 4-5 years ago.

There has to be a lot of excitement around the program given the returning starters and newcomers that's for sure.

Season Outlook:

The Howells-Dodge Volleyball Team looks to have a big and nice season this fall if the coronavirus pandemic doesn't shut things down.

Janke says there's much anticipation for this season to begin. "We are all very excited. This is going to be a great season for the girls (hoping we make it through) and I can't wait for our community and other teams to see how well we have adjusted around everything that is going on. We haven't let it bring us down one bit. I know the girls are anxious to start their season."

Janke adds the pandemic has brought the best out in the girls, many of whom are looking for great things in their senior season. "Being cooped up definitely made them come into summer wanting to work hard. I think with having 8 seniors and knowing they have to take everything day by day, knowing there is a possibility for it to be their last, pushes them to put it all on the court and make their team better. We had a great first week of practice and none of us want to stop there."

The Jaguars certainly appear to have all the tools and pieces in place to make a great run this season.

Let's simply hope Howells-Dodge gets that opportunity.

The Jaguars take on Oakland-Craig on the road on Thursday, August 27th in their season opener.

2020 Howells-Dodge Jaguars Volleyball Schedule:

08/27/20 @ Oakland-Craig

     08/29 (To Be Determined) Howells-Dodge Round Robin (4-Team Round Robin) Dodge

09/01/20 @ Clarkson/Leigh

09/08/20 Tri County Northeast Triangular (host: Pender)

09/08/20 Pender Triangular (host: Pender)

     09/12 (To Be Determined) Howells-Dodge Tournament (4-Team Round Robin) Howells

09/15/20 Wakefield

09/17/20 Logan View/Scribner-Snyder (LVSS)

09/22/20 Lutheran High Northeast

09/24/20 Cedar Bluffs Triangular (host: Pender)

09/24/20 Pender Triangular (host: Pender)

09/29/20 Madison Double Triangular (host: Wisner-Pilger)

09/29/20 BRLD Double Triangular (host: Wisner-Pilger)

10/03-10/03 (To Be Determined) Clarkson-Leigh Tournament (1-Day Tournament, >4 Teams) Clarkson

10/06/20 Stanton

     10/10 (To Be Determined) Humphrey-Lindsay Holy Family Quad (4-Team Round Robin) Humphrey

10/15-10/17 (To Be Determined) East Husker Conference Tournament (2/3-Day Tournament) TBA

10/20/20 @ North Bend Central

10/22/20 @ Tekamah-Herman