Tekamah-Herman goes 0-3 at Boone Central Invite, loses at home to West Point-Beemer

The Tekamah-Herman Volleyball Team is 0-4 in their last 4 matches, falling 2-0 to Central City and Stanton, and 2-1 to Boone Central/Newman Grove at the Boone Central Invite on Saturday, before falling 3-0 at home to West Point-Beemer Tuesday night.

The Tigers lost 25-7 in sets one and two to the Mustangs.

Tekamah-Herman took set one from the Cardinals 25-12 before dropping set two 25-18 and set three 25-19.

The Bison won the first set 25-20 and the second set 25-18.

The Tigers fell 25-23 in set one, 25-13 in set two, and 25-17 in set three to the Cadets.

It has been a very tough start to the season for Tekamah-Herman. The Tigers have to keep battling though.

Tekamah-Herman (0-11) hosts the Tekamah-Herman Invite on Saturday against BRLD, Fort Calhoun, and Omaha Roncalli.

I think the Tigers can be competitive against all three of these teams.

None of them have winning records, and I think they are teams Tekamah-Herman can hang with.

It has been a really slow start to the season for the Tigers, but perhaps Tekamah-Herman can get things headed in the right direction with this home tournament.

I hope people come out and support Tekamah-Herman because I'm sure they could use as much fan support as possible.

The Tigers have to keep fighting and battling hard, and must continue to grow and improve each and every day.

It has been a really difficult start to the season for Tekamah-Herman no doubt, but all the Tigers can do is remain positive and keep improving.

This is a young team, and there are certainly growing pains that go with being a freshman.

Tekamah-Herman can't get down on themselves and feel negative about how things have gone so far though as it is a long season and there are a lot of matches left.

The Tigers have to weather the storm, and keep fighting the good fight.

Tekamah-Herman has to do something about their struggles, and turn their struggles into good fortune and success.

The Tigers haven't had an easy go of things by any means this season, but perhaps Tekamah-Herman can make gains and take strides on Saturday.

If the Tigers could at least take a set in all three matches and keep them all close I think that could serve as a moral victory for Tekamah-Herman.

The Tigers have to come out motivated and inspired on Saturday.

Tekamah-Herman has to be excited, and has to do whatever they can to get fired up and ready to play.

It's a new day and a new tournament for the Tigers, and I look for Tekamah-Herman to give things their best shot and perhaps play the best Volleyball they've played all season.

Howells-Dodge goes 2-1 at own Tourney; sweeps Wakefield-Allen at home

The Howells-Dodge Volleyball Team went 2-1 at the Howells-Dodge Tourney on Saturday before winning 3-0 at home against Wakefield-Allen Tuesday night.

The Jaguars lost 2-0 to Elkhorn Valley, but beat Elgin Public/Pope John and Shelby/Rising City 2-0 at the Tournament.

The Falcons took set one 25-15 and set two 25-20.

Jessi Brester and Erin Prusa totaled 8 kills apiece while Taya VanLengen notched 11 digs. Alyssa Coufal recorded 22 set assists.

Howells-Dodge downed the Wolfpack 25-21 in set one, and 25-16 in set two.

Prusa had 7 kills while VanLengen compiled 13 digs. Coufal added 13 set assists.

The Jaguars downed the Huskies 25-15 in sets one and two.

VanLengen contributed 14 digs while Coufal tallied 13 set assists.

Howells-Dodge defeated the Trojans 25-23 in the first set, 25-14 in the second set, and 28-26 in the third set.

Brester finished with 12 kills while Prusa had 9. VanLengen contributed 22 digs while Tonya Brester chipped in 8. Coufal dished out 30 set assists.

Outside of the Elkhorn Valley match, very good, solid play for the Jaguars in these matches.

Howells-Dodge (8-3) takes on Logan View/Scribner-Snyder (7-4) on the road Thursday night.

The Raiders won 3-2 at home over Pender Tuesday night.

LVSS is a good and improved team this year, and could definitely give the Jaguars fits, all they want, all they can handle, and then some.

With that said, I think the Raiders could be pretty gassed having played 3 matches on Saturday and then a 5 setter on Tuesday.

We'll see what Logan View/Scribner-Snyder has left in the tank.

I think sweeping matches and playing less sets is an advantage for Howells-Dodge.

I feel the Jaguars have been the sharper, more crisp team between the two so far this season.

It should be a good match, but I feel Howells-Dodge has a good chance to win.

This is it for the week for the Jaguars so Howells-Dodge has to go out there and play well.

The Jaguars have to take control of the match early, and set the tone early on.

Howells-Dodge has to come out and smack the Raiders in the mouth, and make their presence known.

The Jaguars have to come out aggressive and fierce, and must take the fight to Logan View/Scribner-Snyder the entire match.

Howells-Dodge has to try and slow down Shaylin Daugherty given her height, and other players like Ashley Uhing and Emily Lewin as well.

The Jaguars have to have a good game plan, and must go out there and execute it to perfection.

Howells-Dodge has to take the bull by the horns, and go out there and play a great game Thursday night.

The Jaguars have to be aggressive hitting the ball and must hit their spots on the court to be successful.

The defense has to come up with tough digs and minimize mistakes if at all possible.

Howells-Dodge has to be on point and on top of their game come Thursday night.

This is a match the Jaguars have a great chance to win I feel if they do the things necessary to win.

Stanton dominates Boone Central Invite

The Stanton Volleyball Team dominated the Boone Central Invite on Saturday, downing Tekamah-Herman and Crofton 2-0, and Columbus Lakeview 2-1.

The Mustangs downed the Tigers 25-7 in sets one and two.

Bree Burtwhistle posted 8 set assists.

Stanton won sets one and three 25-19 over the Vikings, who took set two 25-22.

Jessie Brandl notched 16 kills and 16 digs while Burtwhistle totaled 16 kills, 13 digs, and 22 set assists. Reba Waskowiak notched 7 kills while Jaiden Hartl recorded 19 digs. Makenna Espinoza added 8 digs and 20 set assists.

The Mustangs downed the Warriors 25-16 in set one and 25-18 in set two.

Brandl had 9 kills and 11 digs while Burtwhistle compiled 8 kills and 11 set assists. Hartl registered 13 digs while Espinoza contributed 7 digs and 9 set assists.

Very good play from Stanton over the weekend. The Mustangs did what they needed to do to take care of business.

Stanton (8-1) takes on Norfolk Catholic (0-7) and Boone Central/Newman Grove (1-5) at their home Triangular Thursday night.

The Knights lost 3-0 at Hartington Cedar Catholic Tuesday night while the Cardinals fell 3-0 at home to Crofton Tuesday night.

The Mustangs should win big and dominate this Triangular.

Stanton shouldn't lose a set in improving to 10-1 on the season.

The Mustangs need to come out and dominate from start to finish, and I think they will.

These two matches figure to be sure wins for Stanton.

The Mustangs have a pretty light schedule as a whole for the next couple of weeks with the exception of Saturday so Stanton has to come out and dominate and fine tune things for the tougher matches that lie ahead.

The Mustangs have played good steady Volleyball so far this season, and I look for that to continue Thursday night.

Stanton isn't just winning, they are dominating in the stat column and on the scoreboard.

This isn't just a good Mustang squad, it's a great Stanton team.

The Mustangs want it badly, and I think that's very evident in their play so far this season.

Not much appears to be slowing Stanton down or preventing them from achieving their hopes, goals, and dreams.

The Mustangs just have to continue to stay the course and keep playing well throughout the course of the season.

These matches now are preparing and getting Stanton ready for the tough matches that lie ahead in the regular season, during the conference tournament, and in the postseason.

The Mustangs can't take these matches lightly or for granted, Stanton has to continue to treat them as matches to grow and improve, which seems like the attitude and approach the Mustangs have taken so far this season.

Stanton has to keep getting better and better because the Mustangs will no doubt need to be playing as well as possible when it counts.

Stanton has been on top of their game all season long so far it appears, and that's something that has to and I think will continue for the Mustangs this season.

Also, a big congratulations goes out to Brandl, who notched her 1,000th career kill against Bishop Neumann at the Columbus Scotus Invite on Saturday, September 1st.

Oakland-Craig 1-3 in last four matches

The Oakland-Craig Volleyball Team went 1-2 at the Boone Central Invite on Saturday, losing 2-0 to Columbus Lakeview, beating the host Cardinals 2-0, and losing 2-1 to Central City. The Knights followed that up with a 3-0 loss at Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family Tuesday night.

The Vikings downed Oakland-Craig 25-15 in set one, and 25-21 in set two.

The Knights won 25-23 in set one and 25-22 in set two over Boone Central/Newman Grove.

Oakland-Craig took the first set from the Bison, winning it 25-16. Central City won set two 26-24 and set three 25-18.

The Knights lost set one 25-12 to the Bulldogs, dropped set two 25-21, and fell 25-19 in set three.

I thought Oakland-Craig competed well over the weekend and on Tuesday, especially against Central City.

The Knights (2-8) host Yutan (1-5) Thursday night.

The Chieftains lost 2-0 to Raymond Central and East Butler at the Raymond Central Triangular Tuesday night.

This is a match I think Oakland-Craig should and will win.

Yutan hasn't faced the same caliber of opponents as the Knights have, and I think that will be to Oakland-Craig's advantage.

That and you probably have what I think is a very upset and frustrated team in the Knights.

Oakland-Craig will no doubt look to take their frustrations out on the Chieftains.

The Knights have a stretch coming up with quite a few matches that appear to be matches Oakland-Craig can win so perhaps the Knights can start to get their season on track with a win over Yutan Thursday night.

I feel there's lots of talent and potential on and with this team, and I don't think Oakland-Craig should panic or worry just yet.

With that said, the Knights have to come out and play with a sense of urgency and purpose.

Oakland-Craig has to show fire, and must come out and play with pride, toughness, tenacity, grit, passion, and pride as well.

The Knights have to hit the ball with authority, and be smart with their passes and attacks.

Oakland-Craig has to force Yutan into making mistakes, and has to earn as many easy points as possible.

I think the Knights will come out and play well Thursday night, but this is a must win for Oakland-Craig.

The Knights really need this one there's no other way to put it.

Oakland-Craig has come close in so many matches this year, and has played and fought hard, and it's about time for some of their hard work to pay off.

I think the Knights will be rewarded with a win Thursday night, but Oakland-Craig has to earn it.

The Chieftains aren't just going to come in and hand the win to the Knights on a silver platter, that's for sure.

West Point-Beemer 2-1 in last three matches

The West Point-Beemer Volleyball Team is 2-1 in their last three matches, winning 2-0 over Schuyler, but losing 2-0 to Twin River at their home Triangular Thursday night before downing Tekamah-Herman 3-0 on the road Tuesday night.

The Cadets lost 25-18 in set one, and 25-23 in set two to the Titans.

Sidney Swanson had 11 kills and 18 digs while Kendra Paasch added 8 kills. Brooklyn Weddle registered 15 digs while Sierra Kile notched 26 set assists.

West Point-Beemer topped the Warriors 25-16 in the first set, and 25-12 in the second set.

Swanson compiled 9 kills and 10 digs while Weddle notched 13 digs. Kile added 11 digs and 22 set assists while Andrea Hoffman totaled 10 digs.

The Cadets defeated the Tigers 25-23 in the first set, 25-13 in the second set, and 25-17 in the third set.

Swanson compiled 15 kills and 10 digs while Paasch recorded 9 kills. Hoffman had 13 digs while Kile posted 9 digs and 30 set assists. Weddle and Ashton Troyer contributed 8 digs apiece.

I thought West Point-Beemer played very good Volleyball against Schuyler and Tekamah-Herman. I thought the Cadets would play better against Twin River, but the Titans are a pretty good team.

West Point-Beemer (6-4) hosts Madison (1-4) Thursday night.

The Dragons beat West Holt 2-1, but lost 2-1 to Plainview this past Thursday at the Plainview Invite.

The Cadets should be able to win this one in 3 I would think.

West Point-Beemer has to save their energy for the Stanton Invite on Saturday.

The Cadets still need to come out and play well Thursday, but maximum effort should do the trick for West Point-Beemer.

The Cadets need to dominate this match to continue to grow and gain confidence.

This is homecoming week for West Point-Beemer, and a lot has been going on this week in terms of activities, and I'm sure the Cadets would love to pick up a win.

These girls have to go out there and play their hearts out and give a great effort all while having fun.

Gaining some consistency in their play is crucial for West Point-Beemer too I feel.

The Cadets need a lot of confidence and momentum heading into Saturday's Tournament.

West Point-Beemer has some big matches coming up, and the Cadets have to do what they can to take care of business Thursday night, and help themselves prepare for what lies ahead.

West Point-Beemer's execution has to be flawless Thursday night.

The Cadets have to force the Dragons into mistakes, and make Madison earn points the hard way.

Being tough at the net is going to be critical for West Point-Beemer too I feel.

The Cadets have to come out with fire, aggressiveness, pride, and enthusiasm.

West Point-Beemer has to take the fight to the Dragons from the start and leave no doubt.

The Cadets need to do all this while having fun and being loose and relaxed.

West Point-Beemer has to remain calm even at times when things are close or in doubt if that happens to be the case at all Thursday night.

The Cadets simply have to stay the course and think back to the things they did in practice to prepare for this match.

If West Point-Beemer does those things they should be just fine.

Logan View/Scribner-Snyder goes 1-2 at Bishop Neumann Invite

The Logan View/Scribner-Snyder Volleyball Team went 1-2 at the Bishop Neumann Invite on Saturday, falling 2-0 to Battle Creek and DC West, but beating Class B York 2-0.

The Braves won set one 25-16, and set two 25-13.

Ashley Uhing and Emily Lewin notched 8 digs each while Dream Daugherty had 7. Reagan Klein chipped in 10 set assists.

The Raiders topped the Dukes 25-23 in the opening set, and 25-15 in the 2nd set.

Uhing registered 7 digs while Klein totaled 18 set assists.

The Falcons dominated set one 25-4, and took set two 25-13.

Uhing finished with 8 digs.

I thought LVSS played well against York, but struggled against Battle Creek and DC West.

The Falcons and Braves are two very good teams though so losing to them isn't a total shock to me.

The Raiders (6-4) host Pender (3-4) in High School Volleyball Action that can be heard on 107.9 the Bull Tuesday night.

The Pendragons were last in action on Tuesday of last week, topping Emerson-Hubbard 2-0, but losing 2-0 to Howells-Dodge at the Emerson-Hubbard Triangular.

It will be interesting to see what Logan View/Scribner-Snyder has left in the tank after Saturday.

The Raiders have a big week this week though so they have to get ready to go and amped up and prepared.

Now is the time to pick your game up and prepare for a big week.

LVSS is playing a lot of matches this week and into early next week so they have to be ready to go.

I feel this next week of action will really test the Raiders' endurance and physical shape.

Logan View/Scribner-Snyder has to be ready to play each and every night this week and next.

The Raiders may not always be at 100% energy wise this week and next Tuesday, but they have to suck it up and battle through it.

These are the types of stretches that often times define how a team's season is going to go.

It's only going to be like this when LVSS gets to conference and the postseason so the Raiders have to be ready to go.

I feel like Saturday's competition definitely tested Logan View/Scribner-Snyder.

I think the Raiders have what it takes to play good Volleyball this week, but LVSS has to step things up and pick up their game.

The Raiders have been solid to this point, but there's a lot of tough matches on the horizon for Logan View/Scribner-Snyder.

The Raiders have to step up their game against the likes of Howells-Dodge, Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family, and West Point-Beemer.

LVSS has the Pendragons on Tuesday, the Jaguars on Thursday, the Logan View Invite on Saturday, and the Bulldogs and Cadets next Tuesday in a triangular.

We'll see what the Raiders are made of and how far they've come along.

The good news is all these matches are at home for Logan View/Scribner-Snyder. The Raiders have to make the most of it.

First serve between LVSS and Pender is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on the Bull.

GACC earns road sweep of Boone Central/Newman Grove

The Guardian Angels Central Catholic Volleyball team earned a road sweep of Boone Central/Newman Grove Thursday night, topping the Cardinals 3-0.

Things were close throughout the first part of set one before the Bluejays took over midway through the set. The set was tied at 13 before GACC rattled off 8 straight points to put it out of reach, winning 25-17.

Things were close in the early going of set two before the Bluejays pulled away for a 25-20 win.

It was the same story in set three as Boone Central/Newman Grove hung around for a while before GACC put them away with a 25-19 victory.

Freshman Sophia Hass had 13 kills to lead GACC and also posted 8 digs. "Yeah she really played well. She bounced back really well. She struggled a little bit on Tuesday night. And we're putting a lot on Sophia's shoulders. She's a primary passer. She's our top outside hitter and she's a freshman. And sometimes we forget that she's a freshman cause I have really high expectations for her and what she's able to accomplish, and she has high expectations for herself too. So I was really happy with her tonight, she made some adjustments from Tuesday night, and really did some positive things for us," GACC Head Coach Kate Hagemann said.

Hanna Knobbe piled up 35 digs for the Bluejays while Meghan Brunsing had 7 digs and 10 set assists. Reece Snodgrass registered 11 set assists.

Hagemann on the win. "I was really happy with the girls. Tuesday we were so high error and it just killed our momentum, and kind of killed our confidence a little bit. And it was kind of funny the first three or four points tonight in that first set we were high error, we just made some mistakes. So you're starting to think oh jeez here we go again, but tonight the girls did a really good job of kind of flipping that switch, and not allowing one error lead to another error. And that's what we talk about is it's okay to make an error if you're being aggressive, but just to limit those errors and not let them snowball on us. And I thought we did a really good job of that tonight. We limited their runs to just a few points instead of giving up those big runs that have killed us in the past."

GACC is now 4-3 on the year and travels to Wayne (7-2) Tuesday night. "Wayne's a really good team. They're going to be one of the top teams in the conference, I think they'll be pushing for the conference championship this year and we did some really good things against them when we played them last week. But if we can improve, and now we know a little bit what to expect with them, there's no reason that it shouldn't be a great game. And I know our girls will be really confident going into them cause I think they felt that when we played them the first time that we could of done even better than what we did," Hagemann said.

The Blue Devils knocked off the Bluejays 2-1 at the Northeast Nebraska Volleyball Classic last Thursday night.

Wayne topped North Bend Central 2-0 and David City Aquinas 2-1 at the North Bend Central Triangular on Saturday.

Hagemann says she likes rematch games, saying the Wayne game will be a good gauge of what the Bluejays have done the last couple weeks and if they've improved.

I think GACC can definitely go up to Wayne and come away with a win.

The Blue Devils have played good Volleyball throughout the season, but I feel Wayne is beatable, especially given the fact the Bluejays played them so close the first time around.

I feel both teams are better now than they were then, but I think GACC has an edge in that they've had a little more time off.

I look for the Bluejays to be fresh and energized come Tuesday night.

The Blue Devils will be tough, especially on their home floor, there's no doubt about it.

You can bet the crowd will really be into it as well.

It should be a great match between two outstanding programs, and I'm really looking forward to seeing what GACC can do.

I think this match has all the makings of going five sets.

The Bluejays have to start strong, and sustain a high level of play throughout the entire match, just like they did for quite a bit of the Boone Central/Newman Grove match.

If Haas has another strong game then I think GACC has all the makings of taking down Wayne.

The Bluejays have to force the Blue Devils into mistakes, something they did a very good job of against the Cardinals.