Wisner-Pilger looking to sustain success under Raabe

Team: Wisner-Pilger

Mascot: Gators

Colors: Green and White

Class: C-2

Conference: East Husker 

Head Coach: Kay Raabe (1st season)

2019 record: 22-12 (lost to Superior at State)

Returning Starters: N/A

Overview:

For the first time since the fall of 1978, the Wisner-Pilger Volleyball Program is under new leadership as longtime Gator assistant Kay Raabe takes over the program for the late Jean Groth, who passed away this past offseason.

Raabe, who has been an assistant for the program since 1998, welcomes back the likes of Cameryn Bellar (5'7, SO S/OPP), Adi Meyer (5'11, JR S), Lindsey Kneifl (5'8, JR MB), Emily Buhrman (5'7, SO OH), Reagan Scholting (5'7, SR OH), Lily Otten (5'11, JR Opp/MB), Kennedie Ott (5'8, JR OH), Maggie Schweers (5'11, SO S/Opp), and Tymarie Ott (5'7, SR Opp).

This Gator team is fairly young, but still has a lot of experience and talent on its roster.

Coach Raabe says this past offseason wasn't much different than any other from a Volleyball standpoint. "We were fortunate to have a fairly normal off-season once things opened up on June 1 with open gyms, weightlifting and conditioning, as well as summer camps becoming available later in June. A couple of the team camps we were planning to attend were cancelled due to COVID19, but we were able to find some alternatives. Overall, we had a productive summer."

The loss of Coach Groth has certainly been felt throughout the school, communities, and area without a doubt.

She was a legend, a true icon when it comes to Volleyball in our area and State.

I'm sure the team will very much be playing for her and in her honor this year.

Coach Groth set the bar very high, and certainly left a standard and level of expectation for future Gator teams to follow.

I'm sure this year's Wisner-Pilger team will do everything in their power to keep the pride and tradition of Gator Volleyball going.

I look for Wisner-Pilger to do well this year, and have another good season.

I think it's very possible that the Gators could be fighting and vying for another Sub-State and State berth at season's end.

Season Outlook:

The Wisner-Pilger Volleyball Team looks continue their winning ways and not miss a beat from when Coach Groth was at the helm of the program.

Coach Raabe has this preseason assessment of her team. "Wisner-Pilger is looking forward to getting back on the court this fall for the 2020 season. Along with two returning seniors, several younger athletes are competing to fill various rolls vacated by last year’s graduating class of six. We spend a lot of time in our gym working on our serve and receive game as well as the sideout battle. The Gators’ schedule is stacked with quality opponents from August through October, many of which made it to post-season play in 2019. We view each of our matches as an opportunity to get better. Thank you for your coverage throughout the season."

Of course everything is dependent on the coronavirus pandemic and it not shutting us down.

Raabe says the team is happy with the NSAA's decision to move forward with Fall Sports, and they are adhering to COVID-19 guidelines, rules, and regulations. "Of course, we’re very excited to proceed with a fall season that is as normal as possible. We’re hopeful that schools, including our own, will be able to play their full schedules. We’re taking extra measures including physical distancing or wearing masks when the distance is unattainable. While we’re eager to play, the health and safety of our student athletes is our top priority."

After missing the Spring Sports season last year due to the pandemic, Raabe says the kids are chomping at the bit and have already shown a desire to get back out there and compete. "It was evident already this summer that our players were eager to get back on the court. We had great participation in all of our activities throughout the summer. They’re ready for a sense of normal. We’re remaining optimistic about our opportunities to practice and compete this fall."

Hopefully the pandemic doesn't cause any disruptions, interruptions, delays, altering, or cancellation of the season.

I, like everyone else, am very hopeful that we will get through the entire season with the pandemic not disrupting or messing with things and the season.

The Gators open up the Kay Raabe era at Schuyler on August 27th.

2020 Wisner-Pilger Gators Volleyball Schedule:

08/27/20 @ Schuyler

09/03-09/05 (To Be Determined) NE Nebraska Classic (2/3-Day Tournament) Wisner/Pender

09/08/20 @ West Point-Beemer

09/10/20 @ Oakland-Craig

09/17/20 North Bend Central

09/22/20 Stanton Triangular (host: Stanton)

09/22/20 Pender Triangular (host: Stanton)

09/24/20 Battle Creek Triangular (host: Crofton)

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

09/26-09/26 (To Be Determined) Wisner-Pilger September Classic (1-Day Tournament, >4 Teams) Wisner-Pilger

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

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

10/08/20 Lutheran High Northeast Triangular (host: Guardian Angels Central Catholic)

10/08/20 Guardian Angels Central Catholic Triangular (host: Guardian Angels Central Catholic)

10/10-10/10 (To Be Determined) Wisner-Pilger Invite (1-Day Tournament, >4 Teams) Wisner

10/13/20 @ Tekamah-Herman

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

10/20/20 Twin River

10/22/20 Fort Calhoun Triangular (host: Fort Calhoun)

10/22/20 Logan View/Scribner-Snyder (LVSS)