Winnebago drops first two matches of season

The Winnebago Volleyball Team went 0-2 at the Fort Calhoun Invitational on Saturday, losing 2-0 to Logan View/Scribner-Snyder and David City.

The Indians lost set one to the Raiders 25-12, and set two 25-15.

The Scouts topped Winnebago 25-19 in the first set, and 25-11 in the second set.

Slow start to the season for the Indians, but that's to be expected with a new coach.

Winnebago (0-2) hosts Walthill (0-0) Thursday night.

This is the season opener for the Blujays.

The Indians beat Walthill in all 3 meetings last year, and I feel Winnebago has a chance to continue their winning ways against the Blujays.

It's hard knowing how exactly the match will go, but I think the Indians have an advantage already playing a match.

Winnebago also has the homecourt advantage, and so I'm looking for the Indians to put together a strong, solid performance and pick up the win.

Winnebago has Ponca and the Winnebago Tournament next week so Winnebago would no doubt like to pick up a win before playing those matches.

The Indians have a lot of home matches in September so Winnebago has to make the most and take advantage of them.

Winnebago has get fired up and must come out and hit the ball with authority.

Proper placement is going to be important too, but the Indians have to put some oomph on their swings and beat Walthill's block.

Good passes and serving will also be critical in my mind.

Playing smart and communicating if balls are in or out will be key as well, in my opinion.

Winnebago has to be focused mentally and physically, and must be ready to go from the start.

Everyone has to be effective with their play whether they're in the back or front row.

The bench players have to do their part as well and cheer the team on from the sidelines.

Team togetherness and camaraderie is going to be big in this match for the Indians, in my opinion.

Walthill is a rival, and winning this match would be a big deal for Winnebago.

I'm sure the Indians really want this one.

1-2 is much better than 0-3.

I would say this is a must win for Winnebago. They can't afford to lose this one and then to Ponca before their own tournament next Saturday.

Howells-Dodge starts season 3-2

The Howells-Dodge Volleyball Team is 3-2 to start the season, losing 3-2 at Oakland-Craig last Thursday night, beating Winside and Randolph 2-0, but losing 2-0 to Hartington-Newcastle at the Randolph Quad on Saturday, before falling 3-2 at Clarkson/Leigh Tuesday night in action heard on 107.9 the Bull.

The Knights won set one 25-22 before the Jaguars took sets two and three 25-18. Oakland-Craig won set four 25-16 before Howells-Dodge won set five 15-4.

Jessi Brester had 15 kills while Erin Prusa had 10 and Grace Kreikemeier registered 7 kills and 8 digs. Taya VanLengen added 18 digs while Alyssa Coufal registered 34 set assists.

The Jaguars knocked off Winside 25-14 in set one, and 25-20 in set two.

Tonya Brester notched 10 digs while Coufal recorded 17 set assists.

Howells-Dodge defeated the Cardinals 25-20 in set one, and 25-18 in set two.

Brester finished with 7 kills while VanLengen had 9 digs. Coufal dished out 20 set assists.

Hartington-Newcastle topped Howells-Dodge 26-24 in the first set, and 25-20 in the second set.

Coufal registered 11 set assists.

The Patriots won the opening set 25-22, before Howells-Dodge came back to win the next two sets 25-21 and 25-22.

Clarkson/Leigh took the game over from there, winning set four 25-12 and set five 15-2, claiming the match 3-2.

Prusa registered 14 kills while Brester recorded 7. VanLengen recorded 23 digs while Brester and McKenna Klosen notched 12 and 8, respectively. Coufal chipped in 30 set assists.

“They Stepped up their game, man. They’ve got four or five really nice hitters, a great setter. You gotta give them the props,” Howells-Dodge coach Neil VanLengen said after the game. “They stepped it up. We didn’t do anything bad, they just stepped it up.”

VanLengen says the Jaguars simply wore out. "First thing you got to remember is that was their first game of the season, that's our 5th game. I think they started a little slow. They're a darn good team man. They are very good. I think they got things going. I think that was one thing that really helped. Blocking...we didn't do a great job blocking. And then our setter Alyssa Coufal was home sick throwing up, and she just ran out of gas. You could tell in that 4th set she was just completely gassed."

Howells-Dodge (3-2) takes on Pender (0-2) and Emerson-Hubbard (1-2) at the Emerson-Hubbard Triangular Tuesday night.

The Pendragons lost 2-0 to Fremont Bergan and West Point-Beemer at home in the Northeast Nebraska Volleyball Classic Thursday night.

The Pirates won 3-1 at Omaha Nation Tuesday night before losing 2-1 to Homer and 2-0 to Ponca at the Homer Triangular Thursday night.

I think both these matches have a good chance to be wins for the Jaguars.

Howells-Dodge has their own tournament next Saturday, and I feel two wins on Tuesday would set things up nicely for that day.

The Jaguars need both of these matches too to get back on track and erase any bad taste they might have in their mouths following the loss to Clarkson/Leigh.

I think these matches have a good chance to be feel good matches for Howells-Dodge so to speak.

The Jaguars have to be ready to play and be aggressive, but as long as Howells-Dodge plays up to their capability they should be fine.

Everyone has to keep stepping up their game and contributing for Howells-Dodge.

The Jaguars are without Grace Dvorak and Jayda Bazata, who have both been injured.

These two are certainly big losses for Howells-Dodge, but it appears the Jaguars have managed so far.

The Jaguars would no doubt be better off with them healthy, but Howells-Dodge has adapted nonetheless, or so it appears.

The Jaguars have a big week next week, and I think being off for as long as they have will allow them to come out well rested and refreshed.

Howells-Dodge should be ready to go Tuesday night, and it honestly wouldn't surprise me if the Jaguars swept both matches.

Winnebago looking to build off last year's 7-win season

Team: Winnebago

Mascot: Indians

Colors: Blue and White

Class: C-2

Head Coach:  Jade Farmer (1st season)

2017 record: 7-19

Returning Starters: N/A

Overview:

The Winnebago Indians look to continue to take steps forward as the Indians went 7-19 a season ago, an improvement from 2016's campaign of 6-22.

Returners for Winnebago include Jean Parker-Morris (5'11, SR MH/MB), Tia YellowThunder (5'6, JR S), Kiana Lewis (5'9, JR OH), Jaiden Payer (5'8, JR RS), and Kae Earth (5'9, SR OH).

I think the Indians have to be optimistic and feel like they have a chance to win a bunch of matches this season.

The schedule sets up nicely for Winnebago, and I think as long as the Indians continue to grow and show improvement throughout the season they can get to double digit wins at the very least.

Some of these girls have played a lot of Volleyball for Winnebago, and I look for that experience to pay off in a big way for the Indians this season.

Winnebago has to remain positive and upbeat no matter how things get when it comes to wins and losses.

I really felt like the Indians made progress from 2016 to 2017, and think that could happen again from 2017 to 2018.

Winnebago just has to take things one match at a time, one point at a time, one set at a time, and focus in on each and every individual match.

The Indians have to worry about "today" and not "tomorrow" or "yesterday."

Winnebago has to work hard to improve in all aspects of the game, and become a complete team.

Coming and working together as one will be important for the Indians I feel.

Winnebago lost some talent from last year, but I feel there's enough girls and talent back for the Indians to have a nice, good, and successful season.

The veteran players just have to step up and lead by example, and show the younger players how things need to be done.

In turn, the young players need to step up and accept their roles, and come through when their name is called upon.

Winnebago has to play for each other and not themselves. There can't be any selfishness on the Indians' part whatsoever.

Season Outlook:

The Winnebago Indians open up the season on Saturday at the Fort Calhoun Invitational.

It will be interesting to see how Winnebago fares in that.

Regardless of how that Tournament goes, I look for the Indians to have a good chance to beat teams like Walthill, Emerson-Hubbard, Omaha Nation, Homer, Whiting, IA, Omaha Christian Academy, Madison, and Laurel-Concord-Coleridge this season.

Winnebago plays some of these teams more than once so I feel there are lots of opportunities for wins for the Indians this year.

Winnebago is in a very tough sub-district though as they are in C2-7 with Hartington Cedar Catholic, Ponca, Laurel-Concord-Coleridge, and Homer.

I think the Bears and Knights are definitely beatable, but beating the Trojans and Ponca figures to be a very tough and tall task.

Not that it can't happen, but I don't know if Winnebago is equipped to knock off either of those schools.

I think the key is to continue to grow and improve throughout the season so the Indians can put themselves in a good position to be competitive in the postseason.

Winnebago has to get after it during practice, during weights, and during matches this season.

The Indians have to eat, sleep, and breathe Volleyball from now until mid-November.

Winnebago also has to have fun and enjoy themselves as well and make it as memorable an experience as possible.

The Indians can't give up when things get tough and seem bleak.

Winnebago has to keep trying and fighting no matter what, and play with the heart of a champion.

The Indians also have to play with tons of pride, passion, tenaciousness, grit, might, and fight.

Winnebago has to give it their all every time they take to the floor, and leave it with the feeling of they couldn't of possibly done any better than they did.

The Indians have to enjoy the ride, embrace the challenges, and relish the wins. Learning from mistakes and losses will be critical for Winnebago as well, in my opinion.

2018 Winnebago Indians Volleyball Schedule:

09/01-09/01 (To Be Determined)           Ft. Calhoun Invitational (4-Team 1-Day Tournament) Ft. Calhoun
09/06/18 Walthill
09/11/18 Ponca
     09/15 (To Be Determined)             Winnebago Tournament (4-Team Round Robin) Winnebago
09/18/18 @ Omaha Nation
09/20/18 Emerson-Hubbard                     Triangular (host: Winnebago)
09/20/18 BRLD                                     Triangular (host: Winnebago)
09/22-09/22 (To Be Determined)     Elkhorn Valley Tournament (1-Day Tournament, >4 Teams) Elkhorn Valley
09/25/18 Walthill                                     Triangular (host: Walthill)
09/25/18 Omaha Nation                             Triangular (host: Walthill)
10/02/18 Homer C2                             Triangular (host: Whiting, IA)
10/02/18 Whiting, IA                             Triangular (host: Whiting, IA)
10/04/18 @ Omaha Christian Academy
10/09/18 Madison
10/11/18 Laurel-Concord-Coleridge
10/18/18 Homer                                    Triangular (host: Homer)
10/18/18 Wakefield                            Triangular (host: Homer)

Logan View/Scribner-Snyder wins Boys Town Triangular

The Logan View/Scribner-Snyder Raiders are off to a 2-0 start, winning the Boys Town Triangular Thursday night.

LVSS swept the host Cowboys 2-0 and beat Omaha Brownell Talbot 2-1.

LVSS defeated Boys Town 25-11 in set one and 25-10 in set two.

Reagan Klein finished with 12 set assists.

Logan View/Scribner-Snyder won set one over Brownell Talbot, 25-12, and won set three 25-20 after dropping set two 25-23.

Shaylin Daugherty finished with 9 kills for LVSS while Emily Lewin had 7. Tyler Christianson finished with 14 digs while Klein totaled 9 digs and 21 set assists. Ashley Uhing posted 8 digs while Taylor Ruwe registered 7.

Fantastic start to the season for Logan View/Scribner-Snyder. I think it was just the start the Raiders were looking for.

LVSS (2-0) takes on Douglas County West (1-0) on the road Thursday night.

The Falcons won 3-0 at Conestoga this past Thursday night.

DC West is a good team, and will be the Raiders' biggest test of the season so far without a doubt.

The Falcons swept last year's match, but I look for LVSS to have a much stronger showing this time around.

The Raiders really aren't into moral victories this year I don't think so just taking a set or two from DC West isn't going to be good enough I don't think.

LVSS has to go out there and must play to win, and be the aggressor Thursday night.

The Raiders have to block out crowd noise if they can and just go out there and play their game.

LVSS has to execute as if they were at practice, and must stay calm and must stay the course if at all possible.

The Raiders have a tremendous opportunity in front of them, and LVSS has to go out there and make the most of it.

Daugherty and Lewin need to have strong games offensively as does Klein, and Christianson, Klein, Uhing, and Ruwe need to have repeat defensive performances of the Brownell Talbot match if at all possible.

The Raiders have to step things up and turn in their best performance of the year.

As well as LVSS played Thursday night I think it's going to take an even stronger effort for the Raiders to win this one.

The biggest thing for LVSS is to continue to get better everyday. If the Raiders can do that then winning and results will take care of themselves.

LVSS just has to go out there and play ball, and not worry about the score.

The Raiders have to focus in on every point and every serve, and outhustle and outwork the Falcons.

It won't be easy going into DC West and winning, but it can definitely be done.

LVSS has to play optimistic Volleyball, and have a positive attitude and believe that they can get the job done.

The opportunity is out there for the Raiders they just have to go out there and take advantage of it.

Wisner-Pilger opens up season with win over Schuyler

The Wisner-Pilger Volleyball Team kicked off the 2018 season with a 3-0 win at Schuyler Thursday night.

The Gators took set one 25-14, set two 25-11, and set three 25-8.

Jordan Wegner led the way with 17 kills and 9 digs while Aspin Waterman, Reagan Scholting, and Adi Meyer had 12, 11, and 7 digs, respectively. Emily Hatterman added 24 set assists.

Great win for Wisner-Pilger. The Gators dominated each set and had multiple girls contribute.

Wisner-Pilger (1-0) takes part in the Northeast Nebraska Volleyball Classic at home on Thursday.

I feel this tournament will be a great opportunity for the Gators to showcase their abilities and prove that they are one of the teams to beat in the area this year.

In my opinion, having already played a match will be an advantage for Wisner-Pilger compared to one team they play, Tekamah-Herman.

I look for this experienced and very talented Gators squad to have a great showing in this tournament.

I wouldn't be surprised if Wisner-Pilger competed for the title and even won it.

There's a lot of work to be done for that to happen, but I feel the opportunity is there for the Gators.

Wisner-Pilger just has to seize the moment and everything they've ever wanted on Thursday.

The Gators have to come out determined and motivated, and must play smart, but aggressive Volleyball.

Having good judgement if balls are in or out, communicating, passing, hitting, blocking, digging, serving, and serve receiving well are all important for Wisner-Pilger, in my opinion.

The Gators have to defend their home court and have a strong showing.

This is Wisner-Pilger's chance to display their talent and show that they are one of the top teams in the area.

The Gators have arguably one of the best players in the area and maybe more in Wegner, and I look for her to have big matches for Wisner-Pilger on Thursday.

The Gators have to ride her hot hand and let her take them to the promised land.

Wisner-Pilger also needs her, Scholting, Waterman, and Meyer to play strong defense as well like they did against the Warriors.

I feel this Gators' team is multi-dimensional in that they are solid on both offense and defense.

Wisner-Pilger just needs consistency and good play to shine for them Thursday night, and if they can get strong play from everyone again they should be in good shape, and have a good chance to win both matches I would think.

The tournament is out there for the Gators' taking they just have to go out there and nab it if that makes any sense.

Oakland-Craig starts season with home loss to Howells-Dodge

The Oakland-Craig Volleyball Team lost 3-2 at home to Howells-Dodge Thursday night in the season opener.

The Knights won set one 25-22 before the Jaguars took set two and three 25-18. Oakland-Craig won set four 25-16 before losing set five 15-4.

Great hard fought match to start the season for the Knights. I thought Oakland-Craig played well.

The Knights (0-1) take on North Bend Central (0-0) and Wakefield/Allen (0-0) at the Northeast Nebraska Volleyball Classic at Wisner-Pilger on Thursday.

I feel Oakland-Craig is at an advantage having already played a match this season.

A slow start could prove to be costly in a best of 3 format, and so the Knights have to take advantage of that if the situation presents itself.

Oakland-Craig has to come out on fire and be ready to get after things.

The Knights need big matches from Dacey Nelson and company.

I feel Oakland-Craig is pretty experienced compared to the Tigers at the very least so I think the Knights have the advantage from that aspect of things.

I feel the Knights have a good shot to win both matches if they're on top of their game.

Serving, passing, hitting, blocking, digging, and serve receiving well will all be critical for Oakland-Craig, in my opinion.

The Knights have to be on point against North Bend Central in particular.

Oakland-Craig has to try and slow down Lauren Emanuel and Megan Ortmeier.

Those two are the only two returning starters for the Tigers this season so make other players beat you if you are the Knights.

Oakland-Craig has to come out and play well, and seize the moment.

There's no reason why the Knights can't go 2-0 on Thursday.

Oakland-Craig has to come out fired up and must expect to do well and win.

The Knights have to play two complete matches if they want to advance.

It's going to take Oakland-Craig's best effort to go 2-0 so the Knights have to put their best foot forward to beat North Bend Central and Wakefield/Allen.

Oakland-Craig has to be pretty happy about these matchups I would think so the Knights have to go out there and put together two great matches of Volleyball.

Oakland-Craig also has to show the rest of the area that they are a force that is going to be reckoned with this season.

North Bend Central looks to reload

Team: North Bend Central

Mascot: Tigers

Colors: Orange and Black

Class: C-1

Head Coach: Amy Sterup (13th season)

2017 record: 31-3 (Took 4th at State)

Returning Starters: 2

Overview:

The North Bend Central Volleyball Team looks to retool and reload following last year's spectacular season in which the Tigers ran the table and made their second straight appearance at state, taking 4th place.

North Bend Central was hit hard by graduation as they return just two starters in Lauren Emanuel (6'1, MH) and Megan Ortmeier (5'8, OH).

Big losses include Kristin Lux and Brooke Fredrickson, who are both off playing college Volleyball now. Other big losses that I can recall are Kaitlynn Bjorklund and Hailey Bang.

The Tigers certainly lost a lot of good players and talent to graduation, but I feel North Bend Central has what it takes to continue their winning ways and have a good season this year.

I think Emanuel and Ortmeier are really going to need to step up their games given the departure of the four players I mentioned above.

They are the Tigers' two most experienced players, and I fully expect them to carry and lead this team.

It will be interesting to see what newcomers North Bend Central has this year....players we haven't heard of before.

I think there's a lot of unknowns about this year's Tigers squad.

I think North Bend Central can be really good again, but we really won't know until the Tigers hit the floor on Thursday.

North Bend Central opens up the season on Thursday at the Northeast Nebraska Volleyball Classic at Wisner-Pilger against Oakland-Craig and Wakefield/Allen.

I think both games will be good challenges for the Tigers to start off with.

This Northeast Nebraska Volleyball Classic is loaded with great teams and players though so North Bend Central is going to need to bring their best effort on Thursday and Saturday, there's no doubt about that.

I feel the Tigers will put a quality team and product on the floor, and we'll learn more about North Bend Central after Thursday and Saturday's matches hopefully.

I feel this tournament will be a good measuring stick to see where the Tigers are at in the early season to say the very least.

Season Outlook:

North Bend Central looks to continue their winning ways and tradition from years past.

13th year Head Coach Amy Sterup says the team can't wait to show what they can do. "We are looking forward to a season where we can grow as a team. Girls have worked hard in the offseason and cannot wait to get started. It is a new year with a brand new team on the court."

The Tigers are coming off arguably the best season in school history. Sterup says their approach remains the same. "We are taking it one game at a time, improving as the season progresses."

North Bend Central has some tough matches this year, and they include Wisner-Pilger, Oakland-Craig, West Point-Beemer, Malcolm, Howells-Dodge, Logan View/Scribner-Snyder, and Stanton.

I feel there are some for sure wins on the schedule for the Tigers too, and I look for North Bend Central to win a good chunk of their matches.

I don't know if the Tigers will be quite as dominant as they were last year, but I still look for North Bend Central to win 20 matches or more this year.

The Tigers are in Sub-District C1-6 with West Point-Beemer, Tekamah-Herman, Logan View/Scribner-Snyder, and Arlington.

I feel the sub-district is wide open, but also feel that North Bend Central will be right there in the end.

Sterup says subdistricts will be anyone's ball game.

I fully expect the Tigers to compete for sub-state and state berths once again this season.

Tradition doesn't graduate, and just because North Bend Central lost all these great players doesn't mean they can't reload and be successful.

Stanton, Wisner-Pilger, Clarkson/Leigh, and maybe even Oakland-Craig might have an edge on the Tigers in the experience department, but I still look for North Bend Central to be in the upper echelon of the East Husker Conference.

I feel this is a team that will get better as the year goes on, and play their best Volleyball at the end of the season.

I think you will see this Tiger squad be determined and hungry when they take to the floor this year.

A lot of these girls have waited their turn, and now it's their time to shine.

North Bend Central has to go out there and make things happen, and give it their all every time they take to the court.

2018 North Bend Central Tigers Volleyball Schedule:

08/30-09/01 (To Be Determined)                     Northeast Volleyball Classic (2/3-Day Tournament) Wisner-Pilger/Pender
09/06/18 @ Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family
     09/08 (To Be Determined)                           NBC Invite (4-Team Round Robin) North Bend Central
09/11/18 @ Wisner-Pilger
09/18/18 Oakland-Craig
09/20/18 @ West Point-Beemer
09/22-09/22 (To Be Determined)                     David City Invite (1-Day Tournament, >4 Teams) David City
09/25/18 Twin River
09/27/18 @ Malcolm
10/04/18 @ Tekamah-Herman
10/09/18 BRLD
10/11-10/13 (To Be Determined)                     East Husker Conference Tournament (2/3-Day Tournament) TBA
10/16/18 Howells-Dodge
10/18/18 @ Columbus Lakeview
10/23/18 Logan View/Scribner-Snyder (LVSS) Triangular (host: Logan View/Scribner-Snyder (LVSS))
10/23/18 Stanton                                               Triangular (host: Logan View/Scribner-Snyder (LVSS))
10/25/18 Madison                                             Triangular (host: North Bend Central)
10/25/18 Shelby/Rising City                             Triangular (host: North Bend Central)