Winnebago 2-2 in last four matches

The Winnebago Volleyball team is 2-2 in their last four matches, losing 2-1 to Omaha Nation, but beating Walthill 2-1 and Santee 2-0 at the Winnebago Tournament on Saturday, before losing 3-1 at home to Omaha Nation Tuesday night.

The Indians won set one over the Warriors, 27-25, and took set two 25-17.

In round one against the Chiefs, the Indians took set one 25-21. Omaha Nation won set two 25-13, and set three 25-22.

Winnebago won set one over the Blujays 27-25, and took set three 25-22 after dropping set two 25-14.

In the second match against the Chiefs, Omaha Nation won the first and second sets 25-23 and 25-15, respectively. The Indians grabbed the third set 25-18 before the Chiefs took the fourth set 25-18.

I thought Winnebago did a really nice job picking up a couple of wins. It had to be nice to win a couple over the weekend.

The Indians (3-8) take part in the Emerson-Hubbard Triangular Thursday night.

Winnebago faces the host Pirates (1-8) and BRLD (7-10).

The Wolverines have played really good Volleyball in their last four matches, and will be very tough for the Indians to contend with, in my opinion.

Emerson-Hubbard, on the other hand, is very beatable in my mind.

I feel the Indians have a shot at knocking off the Pirates. It's a toss up match if you ask me.

I really don't feel there's much of an advantage for either team with Winnebago being a bigger school and Emerson-Hubbard being at home. I kind of feel those two things offset each other.

I still look for the Indians to win though seeing as they are the larger school.

Winnebago is a C-1 school, and it would be hard to fathom a D-2 school beating a C-1, but then again the Indians have lost to two D-2 schools this season already.

I think Winnebago is in a good position to pick up a win over the Pirates though.

BRLD, on the other hand, is a whole different story. The Indians have to try and slow down Vicki Gatzemeyer and Halle Wortman.

Those two combined for 18 kills in the Wolverines' win over Scribner-Snyder Tuesday night.

BRLD is really clicking on all cylinders right now as a lot of girls are stepping up and contributing, and that's something Winnebago needs to see to get the same type of results as the Wolverines.

The Indians have to build off the good things they did against Omaha Nation Tuesday night, and carry them over to Thursday night's matches.

There's no reason why Winnebago can't at least earn a split in this triangular. That would seem very doable for the Indians I would think.

I think Winnebago would have to be disappointed and disheartened if they dropped both matches. The Indians have made too much progress in the last couple of weeks to lose both matches on Thursday, in my opinion.

Winnebago is 3-4 in their last seven matches compared to 0-4 in their first four so I would say the Indians have picked things up and are playing as good of Volleyball right now as they have all season.

Winnebago just has to keep it up and continue to take steps forward and in the right direction. The Indians can't take any steps back Thursday night.

North Bend Central sweeps Wisner-Pilger and Oakland-Craig

The North Bend Central Volleyball team defeated Wisner-Pilger for the second time this season last Tuesday night, winning 3-0 at home. The Tigers downed Oakland-Craig 3-0 on the road this past Tuesday night.

The Tigers claimed set one against the Gators, 25-14, set two 26-24, and set three 25-19.

West Virginia commit Kristin Lux, of North Bend Central, led all players with 16 kills. Midland commit Brooke Fredrickson added 13.

Head Coach Amy Sterup. "It was a competitive match. They gave us a run for our money, that's what the girls need. In order for us to get better every game we need to play those kind of games. They need to be on the ropes like that, and they were definitely on the ropes tonight. Wisner-Pilger girls they're a good ball club."
 
Sterup says it's nice having a lot of veterans on the team. "The 7 seniors we have been playing together forever. And to see them finally out on the court where they want to be is great. They're playing together again. Kristin and Brooke started for me when they were just freshmen. And so the other girls kind of played different teams until they come up here this year. And so it's nice to see them all back on the court together and all playing together again."

North Bend Central downed the Knights 25-11 in the first set, 25-14 in the second set, and 25-10 in the third set.

The Tigers have continued to roll and play great volleyball. Nothing but positive things to say about this North Bend Central team.

The Tigers (12-0) host West Point-Beemer (7-4) Thursday night.

The Cadets won 2-1 over Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family and 2-0 over Logan View at the Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family Triangular Tuesday night.

West Point-Beemer is a solid ball club, and is an up and coming team, in my opinion.

I feel the Cadets have a lot of potential, and could give North Bend Central a run for their money, but when it's all said and done I look for the Tigers to pick up the win.

North Bend Central swept Wisner-Pilger, and Wisner-Pilger swept West Point-Beemer so one would think this would be a sweep, but given the way the Cadets have played lately, I'm not so sure that is going to be the case.

The Tigers have only lost three sets all season, but West Point-Beemer has won five out of their last six.

It's definitely a match of something's gotta give in terms of how long the match goes.

Lux and Fredrickson need to have big matches for North Bend Central, and the Tigers have to come out strong and finish even stronger.

North Bend Central has run the table so far this season, and must continue to do so Thursday night.

The Tigers have set the bar and the tone for great play in the area, and are a model to follow for sure.

North Bend Central has been a model for consistency and greatness, and this team is certainly very elite.

There's a lot left to accomplish for the Tigers though, and a win over the Cadets would be a notch in the belt heading into the David City Tournament on Saturday, in my opinion.

North Bend Central just has to do what they usually do, which is take things one match, one set, and one point at a time, and they should be fine.

The Tigers are pretty darn tough to beat, especially at home, and I don't see North Bend Central faltering now.

The Tigers are having a spectacular and special season, and have to be dreaming of very big things.

Dreams of winning a state title and bringing back some hardware have to be in the back of North Bend Central's minds.

It's still early in the season, but the farther we get into the season and the closer we get to the end of October and early November, the higher the stakes and the realization of dreams coming true.

West Point-Beemer 5-1 in last 6 matches

The West Point-Beemer Volleyball team has gotten on a roll lately, defeating Madison 3-0 on the road Thursday night, downing Clarkson/Leigh 2-0 and Battle Creek 2-1 at the Stanton Tournament on Saturday, and topping Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family 2-1 and Logan View 2-0 at the Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family Triangular Tuesday night. The Cadets' lone loss came to Stanton on Saturday, a match West Point-Beemer dropped 2-0.

The Cadets won set one over the Dragons 25-17, set two 25-17, and set three 25-20.

Makenna Weddle paced West Point-Beemer with 6 kills while Nicole Mitzel had 8 ace serves.

First year head Coach Conley Straight says his team performed pretty much as expected. "There's always that fine tuning that I would still like us to see. And it's still early in the season, it's only 6 games into a 30-35 game season so you can't be too critical of one match, giving up too many unforced errors, that sort of thing and stuff. So you always got to find the positives and continue to build on those, and find those things that we can continue to work on day-by-day."

Straight says his team's 16 serving errors really didn't bother him since they also had 14 aces. "I think our serving game was probably our strongest point of tonight. Taking and keeping them out of system. Them giving us free balls, or causing them to make an error on their side of the net. So I felt that for the most part we did capitalize when we did have an opportunity, and Katie Pilakowski did a good job of getting all our attackers involved."

Pilakowski had 25 set assists.

The Cadets dropped set one to the Mustangs 25-22, and fell 25-8 in set two.

West Point-Beemer topped the Patriots 25-21 in the first set, and 25-13 in the second set.

The Braves took set one from the Cadets 25-17, but West Point-Beemer responded by taking set two 25-18 and set three 25-19.

The Cadets downed the Bulldogs 25-18 in set one. Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family won set two 25-23 before West Point-Beemer claimed set three 25-16.

The Cadets have really picked up their game as of late. West Point-Beemer is playing very respectable volleyball right now, in my opinion.

The Cadets (7-4) travel to North Bend Central (12-0) to take on the Tigers Thursday night.

North Bend Central won 3-0 at Oakland-Craig Tuesday night.

The Tigers have rolled this year so far, and have only been challenged a few times as they have only lost three sets all season.

I think West Point-Beemer has the potential to challenge and give North Bend Central a match though.

I think the Cadets are capable of at least taking a set even if they don't win.

I don't know about West Point-Beemer's chances of winning at North Bend Central, but the Cadets ought to think they can go in there and be competitive and have a good showing.

West Point-Beemer is on a roll having won 5 out of their last 6 so there's certainly a lot of potential in this team.

I just don't know if going up against a veteran Tiger squad that features West Virginia commit Kristin Lux and Midland commit Brooke Fredrickson is going to yield a win.

Anything is possible, and the Cadets are certainly capable of winning, but my money is on North Bend Central when it is all said and done.

West Point-Beemer has to go in there and challenge the likes of Lux and Fredrickson though. Those two have to be challenged at the net. The Cadets can't let them just have their way.

West Point-Beemer has to be strong at the net and have good court presence and communication.

The Cadets have to play with a lot of pride, tenacity, toughness, grit, passion, and fire if they are to be successful Thursday night.

West Point-Beemer has to head into the match believing they can win because anything is certainly possible.

I look for the Cadets to challenge and give the Tigers a tough match given how they've played lately, but North Bend Central is at full strength and well rested so that is pretty difficult to contend with, in my opinion.

West Point-Beemer is a good team, but the Tigers are a great team is how I assess the two squads. If the match was in West Point I would say the Cadets perhaps pull some magic and spring an upset, but with the match being in North Bend I simply don't see it happening.

West Point-Beemer has to come in motivated and must play with a chip on their shoulder though. Perhaps I'm not giving the Cadets the love and credit they deserve. I still think this is a high quality team though.

BRLD goes 0-3 at Tekamah-Herman Tournament

The BRLD Volleyball team went 0-3 at the Tekamah-Herman Tournament on Saturday, losing 2-1 to Omaha Roncalli, Fort Calhoun, and the host Tigers.

The Pioneers took set one 25-21. The Wolverines won set two 25-16 before Fort Calhoun claimed set three 25-22.

Vicki Gatzemeyer had a team-high 14 kills and 9 digs while Halle Wortman notched 9 kills and 11 digs. Morgan Bonneau and Kelsey Larsen totaled 11 and 7 blocks, respectively, while Kelcee Bacon and Brandi Simonsen registered 12 and 8 digs respectively. Tiahna Bonneau and Lauren Ahlers dished out 13 and 8 set assists, respectively.

BRLD won set one over Tekamah-Herman, 26-24. The Tigers won set two 25-15, and set three 25-20.

Gatzemeyer finished with 9 kills and 7 digs while Wortman totaled 7 kills and 8 digs. Morgan Bonneau recorded 8 blocks while Bacon and Simonsen posted 9 and 8 digs, respectively. Tiahna Bonneau dished out 12 set assists while Ahlers compiled 9.

The Crimson Pride earned a 25-21 set one win. The Wolverines won the second set 28-26 before Omaha Roncalli won the third set 25-16.

Gatzemeyer contributed 12 kills and 20 digs while Wortman notched 9 kills and 11 digs. Morgan Bonneau posted 7 kills and 8 blocks with Larsen compiling 8 blocks. Simonsen posted 17 digs while Tiahna Bonneau had 13 digs and 21 set assists. Bacon recorded 9 digs while Ahlers dished out 13 set assists.

I thought BRLD did a really nice job of stepping up their play despite the loss. Perhaps the Wolverine players read my last post because a lot of different players stepped up their game for BRLD. That's something the Wolverines will need to continue.

BRLD (6-10) hosts Scribner-Snyder (4-3) Tuesday night in a match that will be carried on 107.9 the Bull.

The Trojans lost 3-0 at home to Clarkson/Leigh this past Tuesday night.

Scribner-Snyder has Kaylee and Nicole Boyle otherwise they are pretty young.

The Wolverines have to come out and be ready to smash Tuesday night.

BRLD has to play the way they did on Saturday, and earn a sweep of the Trojans.

Gatzemeyer has to do her thing, and Wortman, Morgan Bonneau, Larsen, Simonsen, Bacon, Tiahna Bonneau, and Ahlers must have a repeat of Saturday's efforts.

The Wolverines have to play with the same intensity, passion, and focus that they did on Saturday.

If BRLD plays that way they're going to get somewhere this season.

I think the Wolverines know what sort of level they need to play at to be successful. Now it's a matter of playing at that level consistently and having success.

I feel BRLD raised their level of play on Saturday.

The Wolverines could very well find themselves around the .500 mark after next week.

BRLD should be able to win four out of their next five matches for sure, and maybe even knock off Howells-Dodge.

I feel the Wolverines were an average team before Saturday, but now I think BRLD is above average.

The Wolverines still have a little ways to go, but I feel they made a lot of strides on Saturday.

I look for BRLD to build off what they did on Saturday, and turn in a solid performance Tuesday night.

I look for the Wolverines to sweep this match, and pick up right where they left off on Saturday.

BRLD was playing Class B and Class C-1 teams on Saturday....now they get a D-2 opponent, so it should be smooth sailing for the Wolverines if they play the way they did on Saturday.

BRLD can't play down to their competition though. That will get you every time.

Listen to Tuesday night's match on 107.9 the Bull at 7:30 with Sports Director Tom McMahon on the call.

Scribner-Snyder falls to Clarkson/Leigh

The Scribner-Snyder Volleyball team lost 3-0 at home to Clarkson/Leigh Tuesday night.

The Trojans dropped set one 25-16, set two 25-18, and set three 25-17.

Nicole and Kaylee Boyle had 8 digs apiece for the Trojans.

Tough match for Scribner-Snyder. The young Trojans lost to an experienced and veteran Patriot team though.

Scribner-Snyder (4-3) travels to BRLD (6-10) to take on the Wolverines Tuesday night in a match that will be aired on 107.9 the Bull.

The Wolverines went 0-3 at the Tekamah-Herman Tournament on Saturday, losing 2-1 to Tekamah-Herman, Omaha Roncalli, and Fort Calhoun.

BRLD played all three teams tough, and had some tough breaks, so you can bet the Wolverines will come prepared, angry, and upset Tuesday night.

The Trojans have to be ready for any potential onslaught BRLD decides to bring their way.

Scribner-Snyder has to weather any storms the Wolverines throw their way, and has to be ready to persevere and bounce back from any situation.

The Trojans have to forget about what took place against the Patriots, and focus on beating BRLD.

I think Scribner-Snyder has a chance to be competitive in this match, but being such a small school and playing a C-2 team makes winning really difficult, in my opinion.

Not that it can't happen, because it can, but it's just not going to be easy for the Trojans to win.

Both Kaylee and Nicole Boyle need to have big matches for Scribner-Snyder, and players like Emily Lewin have to step up and play a big role as well.

Both of these teams are young so it simply comes down to who makes more plays, and who makes the fewest mistakes, in my opinion.

I feel either Boyle is capable of taking over a match as is BRLD's Vicki Gatzemeyer.

The Trojans have to be very wary of Gatzemeyer because she is the Wolverines' best and go to player.

She does a lot for BRLD. A lot of what the Wolverines do runs through her I would say.

Scribner-Snyder has to outwork, outplay, outhustle, and simply want it more than BRLD.

The Trojans have to limit attacking and service errors, and must hit, pass, block, serve receive, and serve well.

Scribner-Snyder also has to have good court judgement, and know if a ball is going to be in or out. Good communication goes along with this too.

Tuesday night's match can be heard on 107.9 the Bull beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Join Sports Director Tom McMahon for all the action.

Emerson-Hubbard loses to Laurel-Concord-Coleridge and Allen

The Emerson-Hubbard Volleyball team lost 3-0 at Laurel-Concord-Coleridge Tuesday night and 3-0 at Allen Thursday night.

The Bears took set one 25-8, set two 25-22, and set three 25-15.

The Eagles nabbed sets one and three 25-21, and set two 25-16.

Tough week for the Pirates, but Emerson-Hubbard has to put it behind them and get ready for next week.

The Pirates (1-7) host Ponca (10-2) Tuesday night.

The Indians won 3-0 at home against Homer Thursday night.

Ponca knocked off Emerson-Hubbard 2-0 at the Ponca Triangular on August 31st.

The Pirates have to come into this match and give it everything they've got. Emerson-Hubbard can't hold anything back. The Pirates have to do everything in their power to win.

Should Emerson-Hubbard lose though I feel there could be moral victories to take away from this match.

If the Pirates can take a set, or at least keep a set close I think that would be a big confidence booster heading into Thursday's home triangular against BRLD and Winnebago.

Emerson-Hubbard has to keep making strides and get better.

The Pirates are off to a slow start, sure, but there's a long season left to go, and Emerson-Hubbard has to remain positive and keep building for the future.

Wins may be hard to come by throughout the season for the Pirates, but Emerson-Hubbard has to keep growing. The Pirates can't throw in the towel at any time.

There can't be any quit in this team whatsoever. Emerson-Hubbard has to keep fighting and battling, and play with the heart of a champion.

This team is only a couple years removed from a great state run, and so that has to inject some sort of confidence into the Pirates and give them some sort of edge mentally. Or at least you would think it would.

Getting back to the match with the Indians though, Emerson-Hubbard has to limit their mistakes and errors, and make Ponca earn their points.

The Pirates have to execute in all facets of the game, which includes hitting, passing, blocking, serving, and serve receiving well.

Emerson-Hubbard must raise their level of play, and turn in a better performance than what they had this week.

If they do that then it could be a successful night of Volleyball for the Pirates.

Pender beats Logan View, loses to Wakefield

The Pender Volleyball team downed Logan View 3-1 at home Tuesday night before losing 3-0 at home to Wakefield Thursday night.

The Raiders took set one 27-25 before the Pendragons won set two 25-14, set three 25-15, and set four 25-23.

The Trojans grabbed the first set 25-22, the second set 25-10, and the third set 25-20.

Good performance from Pender Tuesday night, but I'm sure the Pendragons feel they could of done better against Wakefield.

Pender (3-6) takes on Wisner-Pilger (5-3) and Stanton (9-1) at the Stanton Triangular on Tuesday.

The Gators lost 3-0 at North Bend Central this past Tuesday night while the Mustangs won 2-0 over both Norfolk Catholic and Boone Central/Newman Grove at the Boone Central/Newman Grove Triangular Thursday night.

These are two very tough and challenging matches upcoming for the Pendragons.

Beating either team is going to be very difficult, but Pender has to look at the challenge as an opportunity to grow and get better.

The Pendragons have to go into the matches thinking they can win.

Pender can't be scared of or intimidated by either opponent. Playing the defending C-2 State Champs and a team with a legendary coach should humble the Pendragons though.

The thing is though Pender can't be in awe of either team.

The Pendragons have to play their game, and do what they do.

Pender has to get fired up and be passionate and excited about playing in this Triangular.

I feel these matches will only benefit the Pendragons and help them down the line.

These are the only matches of the week for Pender so the Pendragons shouldn't have any issues looking ahead to any either opponents.

Not that there's any way Pender would overlook Stanton or Wisner-Pilger, but there shouldn't be any distractions whatsoever for this Pendragon team.

Pender has to have fun and be loose, but know when to be serious too.

The Pendragons must give maximum effort at all times in both matches, and not get down on themselves after mistakes.

Pender has to keep positive and confident at all times. The Pendragons have to keep their spirits up no matter what, and keep battling and fighting hard until the very end.

Even if Pender can't win either match, there could be moral victories to take away from both, in my opinion.