Howells-Dodge wins Emerson-Hubbard Triangular

The Howells-Dodge Volleyball Team swept Pender and Emerson-Hubbard 2-0 at the Emerson-Hubbard Triangular Tuesday night to win it.

The Jaguars downed the Pirates 25-17 in set one and 25-18 in set two.

Jessi Brester had 8 kills while Grace Kreikemeier recorded 7 digs. Alyssa Coufal dished out 14 set assists.

Howells-Dodge took set one from the Pendragons 25-22, and claimed set two 25-13.

Erin Prusa finished with 8 kills while Taya VanLengen had 11 digs. Coufal finished with 19 set assists.

Solid wins and performance from the Jaguars.

Howells-Dodge (5-2) hosts the Howells-Dodge Tournament on Saturday.

The Jaguars take on Shelby/Rising City, Elgin Public/Pope John, and Elkhorn Valley.

The Falcons figure to be Howells-Dodge's toughest competition.

The Wolfpack will be tough too, and the Huskies will be no pushover so the Jaguars have to be ready to go from the get go against all three.

I think Howells-Dodge will do well seeing how well they played Tuesday night though.

I think the Jaguars have a good chance to win this tournament, and continue on the right track.

I look for Brester, Prusa, VanLengen, Coufal, and Kreikemeier to keep doing their thing and play well in this tournament.

I think it will be a very good tournament and good showing for Howells-Dodge.

I thought the Jaguars really played well Tuesday night, and I look for that to continue on Saturday.

Howells-Dodge should be well rested, prepared, and ready.

I think it's going to be a good day for the Green, Black, Silver, and White.

I feel it's going to be a day full of memories for the Jaguars.

Howells-Dodge faces some stiff competition, but it shouldn't be anything the Jaguars can't handle.

The Jaguars have to be ready to go though. Wins won't come easy for Howells-Dodge you wouldn't think.

Everyone has to be fresh, sharp, and ready to go.

The Jaguars have to be on point with their serves, passes, and hits.

Howells-Dodge has to block and serve receive well as well.

Limiting unforced errors will be key for the Jaguars also I feel.

Howells-Dodge has a tremendous opportunity in front of them, and has to take full advantage of their opportunities.

The Jaguars have to make the most of everything on Saturday and take home a championship.

I feel a tournament championship on Saturday could potentially lead to some more great play heading into the Clarkson/Leigh Tournament at the end of the month.

Wisner-Pilger 4-2 in last 6 matches

The Wisner-Pilger Volleyball Team went 4-1 at the Northeast Nebraska Volleyball Classic last week before losing 3-0 at West Point-Beemer Tuesday night.

The Gators beat Tekamah-Herman 2-0, but lost 2-0 to Lutheran High Northeast at the Classic last Thursday at home, and then beat Oakland-Craig, BRLD, and the Cadets 2-0 at the Classic on Saturday.

Wisner-Pilger won set one over the Tigers 25-15, and set two 25-20.

Aspin Waterman had 12 digs while Emily Hatterman recorded 13 set assists.

The Eagles downed the Gators 25-22 in sets one and two.

Waterman finished with 8 kills while Jordan Wegner totaled 7. Reagan Scholting notched 7 digs while Hatterman dished out 16 set assists.

In the first meeting between the two teams, Wisner-Pilger downed West Point-Beemer 25-19 in set one and 25-14 in set two.

Wegner registered 10 kills while Waterman had 7 kills and 7 digs. Scholting recorded 7 digs while Hatterman notched 14 digs.

The Gators defeated the Knights 25-11 in the first set, and 25-13 in the second set.

Wegner compiled 9 kills while Hatterman contributed 14 set assists.

Wisner-Pilger upended the Wolverines 25-21 in set one, and 25-16 in set two.

Waterman tallied 9 kills while Wegner had 8. Scholting finished with 10 digs while Hatterman recorded 15 set assists.

In round 2, The Cadets took set one 25-20, set two 25-22, and set three 25-15.

Wegner registered 11 kills while Scholting had 17 digs. Hatterman contributed 16 set assists.

Head Coach Jean Groth on the loss. "I thought they had a great game plan. They executed it at a high level. And then I'll go along with you we didn't have our best game tonight. They took us out of a lot of things that we wanted to do so I give all the kudos to them for doing that."

Groth's Gators are now off until next Tuesday. "Yep cause we have a little chance to rectify maybe the things that went on tonight, and push forward, and kind of be convinced that the process is just that...the process. And we got to try and figure out when people service to take us out of serve receive, with that we want to do, what's your option B, option C, and that sort of thing, and we just didn't do that very well tonight."

Wisner-Pilger (5-2) hosts North Bend Central (2-4) Tuesday night.

The Tigers are coming off a 3-1 loss at Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family Thursday night.

The Gators have to be disappointed by how they played against the Cadets on Tuesday. At the same time North Bend Central has to feel they can probably play better Volleyball too.

I think Wisner-Pilger will get back on track with a win, but the Gators have to be wary of the Tigers' ability.

North Bend Central has had some close losses this year and is a very competitive team.

The Tigers are scrappy and well coached, and this is a great battle between two very fine coaches.

There's a lot of experience on the sidelines, and I look for this to be a good chess match between Groth and Amy Sterup.

Wisner-Pilger quite honestly should be anxious and ready to get back on the floor after what took place Tuesday night.

The Gators will have had an entire week to think about what happened and fix and correct any problems that arose against the Cadets.

Wisner-Pilger has to be pumped and fired up, and must come out with a vengeance.

It's big stage big game for Wegner, and I look for her to have an exceptional match for the Gators.

I think it's going to be a good and successful night for Wisner-Pilger.

This is the only match of the week next week for the Gators so Wisner-Pilger has to make the most of it.

It being the Gators' only match too should allow Wisner-Pilger to be extra focused as if they won't be focused enough already.

Wisner-Pilger is a nice team, they just slipped up against West Point-Beemer.

The Gators have to work out any kinks in the armor, and get back on track with a victory over the Tigers Tuesday night.

A win would be really nice and good momentum heading into a loaded week the following week I would say.

Oakland-Craig goes 1-4 at Northeast Nebraska Volleyball Classic

The Oakland-Craig Volleyball Team went 1-4 at the Northeast Nebraska Volleyball Classic last week, losing 2-0 to North Bend Central, but beating Wakefield-Allen 2-0 last Thursday at Wisner-Pilger, and then falling 2-0 to West Point-Beemer and Wisner-Pilger, and 2-1 to BRLD at the Classic on Saturday.

The Knights took set one from the Trojans 25-12 and earned a 25-15 set two win.

The Tigers topped Oakland-Craig 25-21 in set one and 25-23 in set two.

The Knights won set two over the Wolverines 25-16, but lost set one 25-22 and set three 25-17.

The Gators nabbed set one 25-11 and set two 25-13.

The Cadets took the first set 25-16 and the second set 25-18.

I think Oakland-Craig has been competitive at times so far this year, but the Knights have struggled at times too.

Oakland-Craig (1-5) takes part in the Boone Central Invite on Saturday.

Other teams in the tournament include the host Cardinals, Ord, Columbus Lakeview, Stanton, and Tekamah-Herman.

Some tough teams in there for sure, but some teams that the Knights should be able to hold their own against and beat as well.

Oakland-Craig has had a week off and a lot of time to prepare for this tournament.

I look for the Knights to come out sharp and ready to go from the get go.

Perhaps this is the tournament that can get things turned around for Oakland-Craig.

The Knights have struggled so far, but there's a long season and long ways to go before things are all said and done.

Oakland-Craig has to come out on fire and must be ready to take the fight to teams all day.

The Knights have to play with pride and must come out and play with passion as well.

Oakland-Craig has to find some strength from within to get things turned around.

The Knights have to play their hearts out and must have a lot of desire and determination to compete and do well.

Oakland-Craig has to have good body language and has to give 100% effort at all times.

Everyone on the team has to be committed and dedicated to this team being successful.

The Knights have to dig deep and find some will and inner strength from within.

It has been a difficult start to the season for Oakland-Craig, but there's no doubt the Knights can get things turned around with this Tournament.

It's a new day and a new tournament, and I don't see why Oakland-Craig can't do some good things in this tournament.

The Knights have to be upbeat, positive, and loose, and must be ready to have fun and enjoy themselves.

Executing at a high level in all facets of the game will be important for Oakland-Craig as well, in my opinion.

Logan View/Scribner-Snyder 3-2 in last five matches

The Logan View/Scribner-Snyder Volleyball Team is 3-2 in their last five matches, losing 3-0 at DC West last Thursday night before beating Fort Calhoun 2-1 and Winnebago 2-0 at the Fort Calhoun Invite on Saturday. The Raiders beat Tekamah-Herman 2-0 and lost 2-0 to Twin River at the Twin River Triangular on Tuesday.

The Falcons beat the Raiders 25-20 in all three sets.

Shaylin Daugherty led the way with 11 kills while Dream Daugherty and Kaylin Niewohner tallied 9 digs apiece. Reagan Klein added 7 digs and 21 set assists.

LVSS topped the Indians 25-12 in set one and 25-15 in set two.

Leah Keithley recorded 8 set assists.

The Raiders won set one 25-20 and set three 25-21 over the Pioneers while dropping the middle set 28-26.

Emily Lewin finished with 12 kills and 9 digs while Shaylin Daugherty totaled 10 kills. Ashley Uhing chipped in 15 digs while Dream Daugherty and Taylor Ruwe had 11 and 8, respectively. Klein registered 28 set assists.

LVSS topped the Tigers 25-14 in the first set, and 25-23 in the second set.

Shaylin Daugherty notched 8 kills while Klein registered 16 set assists.

The Titans won set one 25-18 and set two 25-16.

Klein dished out 9 set assists.

Good strong play from the Raiders over their last five matches. I thought Logan View/Scribner-Snyder could of been more competitive in their losses, but they've been solid so far this year.

The Raiders (5-2) take part in the Bishop Neumann Invite on Saturday.

It's unclear who LVSS plays, but this tournament figure to challenge the Raiders for sure.

I think Logan View/Scribner-Snyder has a chance to be successful in this tournament, but it won't be easy.

I feel the Raiders will improve though, win or lose.

Even if the results aren't what LVSS wants on Saturday I think the matches are going to only help the Raiders later on down the line.

This tournament figures to be full of matches that are learning experiences for sure, win or lose.

I feel it's a step up in competition for Logan View/Scribner-Snyder.

The Raiders have a good team and should be very confident in their abilities.

LVSS can't be scared of or intimidated by anyone they play.

Neumann is a great team, and just playing them would be something in itself if the two teams end up meeting.

I think this tournament will help prepare and equip the Raiders for success and domination down the line in their program.

Logan View/Scribner-Snyder has already seen a good amount of success this year, and I look for this tournament to lead to even bigger and better things for the Raiders.

I think LVSS has a chance to be successful in this tournament, it just depends on the competition and who the Raiders are playing.

Either way it's a new tournament and new experience for Logan View/Scribner-Snyder, and the Raiders should take it all in and enjoy playing some tough, quality teams.

I think the experience in itself is going to make it a fun and memorable day for Logan View/Scribner-Snyder.

Things don't figure to come easy for the Raiders whatsoever, but there's no doubt in my mind LVSS can hold their own and be competitive.

I don't know how many wins the Raiders will get in this tournament, but I will say I think it simply depends on how well and who they play.

Stanton begins year 5-1

The Stanton Volleyball Team is off to a 5-1 start this year as the Mustangs won 3-0 at home over West Point-Beemer last Tuesday night to open the season before beating Clarkson/Leigh and Madison 2-0 at the Madison Triangular last Thursday night. The Mustangs downed Twin River and Hartington Cedar Catholic 2-0, but lost 2-1 to Bishop Neumann at the Columbus Scotus Invite on Saturday.

The Mustangs won set one over the Cadets 25-17, set two 25-14, and set three 25-15.

Bree Burtwhistle had 14 kills, 15 digs, and 18 set assists while Jessie Brandl posted 12 kills and 14 digs. Liz Christensen and Reba Waskowiak each registered 7 kills while Jaiden Hartl and Jasmine Kment recorded 17 and 7 digs, respectively. Makenna Espinoza totaled 17 set assists.

Stanton won set one over the Patriots 25-21 and took set two 25-22.

Waskowiak totaled 10 kills while Brandl notched 8 kills and 13 digs. Burtwhistle posted 7 kills, 8 digs, and 15 set assists. Hartl recorded 18 digs while Espinoza tallied 9 set assists.

The Mustangs defeated the Dragons 25-5 in the first set, and 25-13 in the second set.

Brandl finished with 7 kills while Hartl registered 8 digs. Burtwhistle put down 11 set assists while Espinoza totaled 9.

Stanton took care of the Trojans 25-11 in set one, and 25-23 in set two.

Brandl recorded 10 kills and 8 digs while Burtwhistle totaled 8 kills and 10 set assists. Waskowiak chipped in 7 kills while Espinoza had 11 set assists.

The Mustangs won set one over the Cavaliers 25-20, but lost set two 25-21, and set three 25-20.

Burtwhistle finished with 15 kills, 16 digs, and 21 set assists while Brandl notched 14 kills and 14 digs. Waskowiak added 11 kills while Hartl and Espinoza contributed 26 digs and 15 set assists, respectively.

Stanton downed the Titans 25-12 in set one, and 25-15 in set two.

Brandl compiled 12 kills and 8 digs while Burtwhistle registered 9 kills and 14 set assists. Espinoza dished out 9 set assists.

Very nice start to the season for the Mustangs. Some quality wins, and only one close loss to a C-1 power in Neumann.

Stanton (5-1) takes part in the Boone Central Invite on Saturday.

The Mustangs played Ord, Columbus Lakeview, and the host Cardinals last season.

I think Stanton has a chance to go 3-0 in their matches again this year.

The Mustangs are a very good team, even better than last year I feel, and will be very difficult for anyone to beat.

Stanton will be well rested having had the entire week off so I expect nothing but great things and play from the Mustangs.

I look for Burtwhistle, Brandl, Waskowiak, and Espinoza to keep up their hot play offensively, and for Hartl and Brandl to continue their prowess defensively as well.

I think Stanton will click on all cylinders on Saturday and play great and fantastic matches.

Not much seems to be slowing down the Orange and Black this season, and I don't know if anyone can beat them on Saturday.

It should be a fun and exciting day of Volleyball for Stanton.

I don't see the Mustangs doing much losing if any at all.

Stanton has swept every match they've won this year, and I look for the Mustangs to make quick work of opponents on Saturday as well.

Stanton has to treat this Tournament as another opportunity to grow, improve, and get better.

Every time out is a chance and an opportunity to play great Volleyball, and so far the Mustangs have done that every time they've taken to the floor this season.

I look for that to be the case again on Saturday.

I look for Stanton to do well and be on top of their game.

The Mustangs have a stretch of matches they should win, and that includes this tournament.

Stanton has to wake up Saturday morning and be ready to be on top of their game.

The Mustangs have to be focused and ready to play. It has to be a business trip for Stanton so to speak.

The Mustangs are in the business of winning championships, and I look for Stanton to win another title on Saturday.

Clarkson/Leigh starts season with a 3-1 record

The Clarkson/Leigh Volleyball Team is 3-1 on the season so far, beating Howells-Dodge 3-2 at home last Tuesday in action heard on 107.9 the Bull before beating Madison 2-0 but losing 2-0 to Stanton at the Madison Triangular last Thursday. The Patriots won 3-1 at BRLD Tuesday night.

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.

Hannah Kasik had 18 kills and 9 digs while Ashlynn Novotny posted 17 kills. Kaegan Held had 17 digs and 41 set assists while Halee Steffensmeier totaled 17 digs. Sara McEvoy recorded 14 digs while Holly Kuhr posted 9.

Head Coach Becky Schneider was happy with her team’s late game response. “We’ve never really been a great set two team. That’s kind of our demise, kind of our weakness at this point,” Schneider said. “So we’re trying to work on that. But, you know what, we’ve conditioned a lot over the summer and that’s the payoff right there. We were just ready to go for set four and five.”

Schneider adds she was very happy with the win. "Absolutely satisfied. I will take the sets 4 and 5 definitely. We're always going to work on sets 2 and 3 coming out with more intensity and following all the way through. We push them in practice, we have intense practices, and so we're just going to keep working at it."

The Mustangs downed the Patriots 25-21 in set one and 25-22 in set two.

Held posted 10 digs and 14 set assists while Steffensmeier tallied 9 digs.

Clarkson/Leigh topped the Dragons 25-15 in the first set, and 25-13 in the second set.

Kasik led the way with 9 kills while Held posted 20 set assists.

The Patriots won sets one and two 25-20 against the Wolverines, and dropped set three 25-19 before winning set four 25-10.

Kasik had 17 kills and 15 digs while Novotny and Paige Moore notched 16 and 9 kills, respectively. Held recorded 15 digs and 39 set assists while Kuhr and Steffensmeier registered 15 and 12 digs, respectively.

Very good start to the season for Clarkson/Leigh. The Patriots played the Mustangs very tough in their lone loss so far I thought.

Clarkson/Leigh (3-1) takes on High Plains Community (0-3) and Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family (2-0) at the High Plains Community Triangular next Thursday night.

The Storm lost 3-2 at Fullerton Tuesday night while the Bulldogs swept GACC on the road Tuesday night.

Both matches figure to be very tough for sure, but the long layoff should allow the Patriots to be fresh and ready.

Clarkson/Leigh has to use this extra practice time to prepare at an extremely high level for both squads.

I feel the Patriots will be at an advantage against both teams, who each have 3 nights of matches prior to playing Clarkson/Leigh.

This is an experienced veteran team, and with Kasik back this team is looking mighty fine this season.

The Patriots have to keep working hard in practice and improving their craft so they can be the best they can be.

Clarkson/Leigh is off to a nice start, but will be tested next Thursday.

The Bulldogs are for real, and have a great player in Taya Beller.

The match between Clarkson/Leigh and Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family should be a great one.

The Patriots have to focus on both matches, but it would be a really big deal for Clarkson/Leigh to knock off the Bulldogs without a doubt.

The Patriots can definitely do it they just need to play up to their full potential.

Clarkson/Leigh has to enjoy this time off in between matches, but be ready to get down to business once next Thursday comes.

The Patriots need to have good practices before this Triangular.

Next week is a big week for Clarkson/Leigh with the Stanton Tournament on Saturday as well.

I think we will find out a lot about the Patriots next week, and discover exactly what kind of team Clarkson/Leigh is this year.

I think the Patriots have all the tools and ability in the world to do well next week, but Clarkson/Leigh will certainly be challenged by everyone they play.

Pender begins year 3-4

The Pender Volleyball Team is off to a 3-4 start as the Pendragons lost 2-0 to Fremont Bergan and West Point-Beemer at the Northeast Nebraska Volleyball Classic at home last Thursday, beat Tekamah-Herman 2-0 and Wakefield-Allen 2-1, but lost 2-0 to GACC at the Classic on Saturday, and fell 2-0 to Howells-Dodge, but beat rival Emerson-Hubbard 2-0 at the Emerson-Hubbard Triangular Tuesday night.

The Pendragons lost 25-10 in set one to the Knights, and dropped set two 25-6.

The Cadets took set one 28-26 and set two 25-17.

Sadie Lamplot had 7 kills and 7 digs while Zoey Lehmkuhl totaled 10 set assists.

Pender beat the Tigers 25-18 in the first set, and 25-11 in the second set.

Lamplot posted 7 kills. Rylee Lehmkuhl registered 12 digs while Zoey Lehmkuhl added 10 set assists.

The Pendragons lost set one to the Bluejays 25-20, and dropped set two 25-15.

Zoey Lehmkuhl finished with 10 digs while Kaylin Sandall had 7.

The Trojans took set one 25-16 before Pender won set two 25-20 and set three 25-22.

Lamplot had 9 kills and 13 digs while Rylee Lehmkuhl posted 8 digs. Zoey Lehmkuhl put down 18 set assists.

The Jaguars won set one 25-22, and set two 25-13.

The Pendragons downed the Pirates 25-15 in the first set, and 25-16 in the second set.

Lamplot notched 8 kills while Zoey Lehmkuhl notched 13 set assists.

Very good and solid start to the season for Pender. Much better than last year so far I would say.

The Pendragons (3-4) take on Logan View/Scribner-Snyder (5-2) on the road Tuesday night in action that can be heard on 107.9 the Bull.

The Raiders won 2-0 over Tekamah-Herman and lost 2-0 to Twin River at the Twin River Triangular Tuesday night.

LVSS is a much improved team from last year as is Pender.

This should be a really good battle between two teams on the rise.

I look for the Pendragons to compete well and hard, and have a good showing.

Pender has plenty of practice time to get ready for the Raiders so I think the Pendragons will come out ready to go Tuesday night.

Lamplot has to continue her solid play offensively, and both Lehmkuhl's have to keep performing well on offense and defense.

Pender doesn't have a lot of stats that stand out or wow you, but the Pendragons are an improving team.

Pender is already over halfway home to last year's win total, and we are only 7 games into the season.

I think that says a lot about the hard work and determination these girls have put in and played with.

The Pendragons are committed to changing the culture and outlook of the program, and I feel Pender is on their way to doing that.

There's still a lot of work to be done, but this is a very nice start for the Pendragons, especially considering how last year went.

I think Pender has to feel good and encouraged about where they are at, but has to realize that there is still work left to be done.

I think the Pendragons will play the Raiders tough come Tuesday night.

Pender has to take advantage of the extra practice time and get ready for Logan View/Scribner-Snyder.

The Pendragons have to be fired, psyched, and jacked up for Tuesday night's match.

Pender also has to practice with fire and passion leading up to the match.

First serve is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on the Bull.