West Point-Beemer looking to make strides and progress in program

Team: West Point-Beemer

Mascot: Cadets

Colors: Red and White

Class: C-1

Head Coach: Conley Straight (2nd season)

2017 record: 19-12

Returning Starters: 3

Overview:

The West Point-Beemer Volleyball Team is expecting a lot this year with a lot of seniors on the roster, and a 19-12 season last year.

Returning starters for the Cadets include Brooke Haase (5'11, SR MH), Sidney Swanson (5'7, SO OH), and Brooklyn Weddle (5'4, SO DS).

This year's seniors are  Abby Kaup (5'8, OH), Kendra Paasch (6'0, RS), Andrea Hoffman (5'4, DS), Ashton Troyer (5'6, RS/DS), Rebecca Weddell (5'8, MH), and Conestoga transfer Sierra Kile (5'9, S).

7 seniors were lost from last year, and they are Katie Pilakowski, Lizbeth Inzunza, Leigh Jahnke, Brittney Hinkel, Nicole Mitzel, and Makenna Weddle.

Head Coach Conley Straight says he was pleased with offseason weightlifting and conditioning, saying it was a lot better than last year.

The team went to the Wayne State and Concordia Team Camps over the summer.

I thought the Cadets had a solid campaign in 2017, but feel the team can be even better this year.

I feel West Point-Beemer is capable of taking the next step or steps in their program and winning their sub-district, getting to a sub-state match, and making state.

I think there's a lot of potential and opportunity for the Cadets to do well and win a lot of matches this season.

West Point-Beemer came so close to making a district final last year, and played their best Volleyball at the end of the season last year, and I look for that solid play and motivation from losing that final match against Arlington to carry over to this season.

I feel the Cadets have what it takes to win 20+ matches this year, and contend for a state tournament spot.

West Point-Beemer will have to earn it, but there's no doubt that the Cadets can do special things with all the talent and senior leadership on this team.

I'm looking for big things from West Point-Beemer this season. Things the Cadets haven't done in the past.

Season Outlook:

West Point-Beemer has high expectations heading into this season with all the talent and senior leadership they have.

The Cadets will be tested early though as they open up the season on Tuesday at Stanton.

Straight says the Mustangs will be a good test for his squad early on. "Uh definitely. They're probably one of the favorites to win Class C-2 this year. And in building the schedule for this season I think it's good to start with someone that is a state contender. It kind of shows us where we're at as a team, where we need to go, those types of things. It's great to be challenged at the beginning of the year. It really prepares us for the entire season."

West Point-Beemer also has challenging matches against the likes of Wisner-Pilger, Twin River, Tekamah-Herman, Logan View/Scribner-Snyder, Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family, North Bend Central, Arlington, Wayne, DC West, Oakland-Craig, and Howells-Dodge.

I feel a lot of these matches are very winnable for the Cadets.

I also think West Point-Beemer is going to be one of the top teams in the East Husker Conference this year.

Straight says there are a lot of quality teams and players in the conference. "You definitely have a lot of teams that have one or two players that can take over a match this year. It's going to be tough competition every single night, we're going to have to come with our A game every single night to be competitive in the East Husker Conference this year again."

The Cadets are in Sub-District C1-6 with Arlington, North Bend Central, Logan View/Scribner-Snyder, and Tekamah-Herman.

Straight says the Cadets will play everyone in their sub-district in the regular season.

He adds the team has some unfinished business to tend to. "We were one win away, one set away from making it to sub-state last year. And I know the girls coming back this year know that they can make it to sub-state."

Straight says the goal is to make it to sub-state and win that match to make state.

I think that goal is very possible and attainable.

The talent, senior leadership, and pieces are in place for the Cadets to do it.

Now it's just a matter of West Point-Beemer going out there and making it happen.

2018 West Point-Beemer Cadets Volleyball Schedule:

08/28/18    @ Stanton        
08/30-09/01    (To Be Determined)                            Northeast Volleyball Classic (2/3-Day Tournament)    Wisner-Pilger/Pender
09/04/18    Wisner-Pilger       
09/06/18    Schuyler                                                   Triangular (host: West Point-Beemer)   
09/06/18    Twin River                                               Triangular (host: West Point-Beemer)   
09/11/18    @ Tekamah-Herman            
09/13/18    Madison                                                  
09/15-09/15    (To Be Determined)                            Stanton (1-Day Tournament, >4 Teams)    Stanton
09/18/18    Logan View/Scribner-Snyder (LVSS)     Triangular (host: Logan View/Scribner-Snyder (LVSS))   
09/18/18    Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family           Triangular (host: Logan View/Scribner-Snyder (LVSS))   
09/20/18    North Bend Central       
09/25/18    Arlington                                                 Triangular (host: West Point-Beemer)   
09/25/18    Wayne                                                      Triangular (host: West Point-Beemer)   
09/27/18    @ Norfolk Catholic                                        
10/02/18    Douglas County West                              Triangular (host: Douglas County West)   
10/02/18    Oakland-Craig                                         Triangular (host: Douglas County West)   
10/11-10/13    (To Be Determined)                           East Husker Conference Tournament (2/3-Day Tournament)    TBA
10/16/18    @ Boone Central/Newman Grove            
10/23/18    Pender                                                     Triangular (host: Howells-Dodge)   
10/23/18    Howells-Dodge                                      Triangular (host: Howells-Dodge)

Howells-Dodge hoping experience results in big season

Team: Howells-Dodge

Mascot: Jaguars

Colors: Green, Black, and Silver

Class: D-1

Head Coach: Neil VanLengen (347-203 career record)

2017 record: 15-16

Returning Starters: N/A

Overview:

The Howells-Dodge Volleyball Team looks to be better than they were last year given all the experience that is back for the Jaguars this season.

The Jaguars lost just one senior in Macey Kulhanek.

Howells-Dodge welcomes back seniors Erin Prusa (6'0, OPP), Jessi Brester (5'9, OH), Grace Dvorak (5'8, MB) and Tonya Brester (5'7 OPP/OH), as well as juniors Madyson Cech (5'9 OPP/MB) and  Grace Kreikemeier (5'7, OH). Alyssa Coufal (5'5, JR S) is expected to be the team's starting setter while Taya VanLengen (5'9, JR OH) is likely to start at Libero.

Head Coach Neil VanLengen says the Jaguars went to a summer camp in Columbus, a camp in Wayne, and the Top 10 camp in Kearney with varsity only.

He adds passing and serving has to be better in order for the Jaguars to have a chance to make state this year.

Howells-Dodge went through a lot of ups and downs last year, but lost to quality competition.

I'm looking for last year's tough losses to turn into close, tough wins this season.

I think you will see the Jaguars start to get back to the form they had in 2016.

I don't know if Howells-Dodge will be as dominate as that team, but with the drop to D-1 I expect the Jaguars to be very successful and hold their own.

Prusa, both Bresters I mentioned above, Cech, Dvorak, and Coufal should all be dominate for the Jaguars this year I would think.

Kulhanek is a big loss, but there's so much returning experience on this team that I think Howells-Dodge has what it takes to be the real deal.

I don't know if the Jaguars will be the most dominant team in the East Husker Conference or anything like that, but they should be in the upper echelon of teams I would think.

I think Howells-Dodge will win quite a few matches this season and put themselves in a position to make state.

The Jaguars should have a better shot of making it to Lincoln with the new sub-state format I would think as opposed to under the old format.

Howells-Dodge just has to work hard everyday in practice, and continue to make strides day in and day out.

Setting goals and achieving them is going to be very important for this squad, in my opinion.

Season Outlook:

The Howells-Dodge Volleyball Team looks to kick off the season the right way on Thursday when they take on Oakland-Craig on the road in the season opener.

VanLengen says the Knights should be a little different team than last year with a few players returning from injury.

One of those players back is Dacey Nelson, and she could be a big time factor in Thursday's match, in my opinion.

VanLengen says the East Husker Conference figures to be tough once again. "Obviously North Bend graduated a few pretty good seniors. But other than that out of the top teams have a lot of their top players coming back."

VanLengen says the team finished 8th in last year's conference tournament, and he hopes his team can move up maybe 3 or 4 spots this year.

The Jaguars are in Sub-District D1-5 with Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family, High Plains, Fullerton, and Nebraska Christian.

VanLengen says sub-districts are almost irrelevant with the new sub-state format. "Even before it came out I said every game is important. It doesn't matter really anymore what your sub-district is, if we can get in the top 10 or 12 in the power points we're going to have a chance to make into the sub-state. We did get in a sub-district with Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family, whose got one of the best players in the state in Taya Beller. And Nebraska Christian, who finished 31-0 in the regular season last year."

There appears to be a pretty even mix of tough and not as tough games on the schedule for Howells-Dodge this season.

I would say the Jaguars' toughest games on the schedule outside of weekend tournaments would be against Clarkson/Leigh, Logan View/Scribner-Snyder, Lutheran High Northeast, Stanton, North Bend Central, and West Point-Beemer.

There are quite a few matches the Jaguars should be able to take care of business in without much trouble.

Howells-Dodge has to simply step up their level of play against the tough teams on their schedule and avoid playing down to their competition.

The Jaguars have to play at a high level at all times, and be focused each and every time out, while executing in all facets of the game.

2018 Howells-Dodge Jaguars Volleyball Schedule:

08/23/18 @ Oakland-Craig
     08/25 (To Be Determined)                             Randolph Quad (4-Team Round Robin) Randolph
08/28/18 @ Clarkson/Leigh
09/04/18 Pender                                                     Triangular (host: Emerson-Hubbard)
09/04/18 Emerson-Hubbard                             Triangular (host: Emerson-Hubbard)
     09/08 (To Be Determined)                             Howells-Dodge Tourn. (4-Team Round Robin) Dodge
09/11/18 Wakefield
09/13/18 @ Logan View/Scribner-Snyder (LVSS)
09/18/18 Lutheran High Northeast
09/25/18 BRLD                                                     Double Triangular (host: Wisner-Pilger)
09/25/18 Madison                                                     Double Triangular (host: Wisner-Pilger)
09/29-09/29                                                            Clarkson-Leigh (1-Day Tournament, >4 Teams) Clarkson
10/02/18 Stanton
     10/06 (To Be Determined)                            Humphrey-Lindsay Holy Family Quad (4-Team Round Robin) Humphrey
10/11-10/13 (To Be Determined)                    East Husker Conference Tournament (2/3-Day Tournament) TBA
10/16/18 @ North Bend Central
10/18/18 @ Tekamah-Herman
10/23/18 Pender                                                       Triangular (host: Howells-Dodge)
10/23/18 West Point-Beemer                                   Triangular (host: Howells-Dodge)

Oakland-Craig looking for nice season

Team: Oakland-Craig

Mascot: Knights

Colors: Orange and White

Class: C-2

Head Coach: Chelsey Boden

2017 record: 9-25

Returning Starters: N/A

Overview:

The Oakland-Craig Volleyball Team looks to have a successful season this year.

Returning players include Dacey Nelson who missed all of last year with a torn ACL, Natalia McNeill, Josie Richards (SO DS), Mya Guzinski, Makenna Pearson (5'10, SO MH), and Ashten Rennerfeldt (OH).

The Knights are without Kennedy Benne (5'5 SR S/OH), who tore her ACL in Basketball last year.

Head Coach Chelsey Boden, formerly Chelsey Quigley, says Bailey Helzer is a freshman who could make an impact.

She adds the team is healthy right now outside of not having Benne.

The Knights have had a tough go of things the last couple of years, but I think fortunes could change for Oakland-Craig this season.

As long as the Knights can stay healthy and perform at a high level they should be fine.

It doesn't appear Oakland-Craig has a ton of height so going up against taller teams could be an issue for the Knights this season.

Oakland-Craig also has a tough schedule, but I think they have the talent necessary to be among the elite teams in the area.

This program has won over 20 matches in recent past, and I don't see why the Knights can't get back to that once again this year.

Oakland-Craig is a very tradition rich and proud school when it comes to athletics, and Volleyball is no exception.

I think the Knights could surprise some teams this season, and make some noise.

I think Oakland-Craig will find ways to win matches throughout the East Husker Conference and in Tournaments.

It will be interesting to see what the Knights bring to the table this season.

Not having Benne definitely hurts, but these girls are great athletes and basketball players, and I look for them to have a successful Volleyball season as well.

I think this Volleyball season could sort of set the stage for what figures to come in Girls Basketball later this year and into next year.

Season Outlook:

Oakland-Craig has a very tough schedule this year with matches against the likes of Howells-Dodge, Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family, North Bend Central, GACC, Stanton, West Point-Beemer, Fremont Bergan, DC West, Wisner-Pilger and Clarkson/Leigh.

There's no reason to think the Knights won't get off to a good start seeing how experienced they are.

Oakland-Craig opens up the season at home on Thursday against Howells-Dodge. Boden says she's not sure what to expect. "It's hard to say. We have not seem them at all this summer or anything to know what is really going to be coming at us, but I am confident that we will be able to compete and it will be fun to see how we compete against another team at this point with just having practices up until now."

The Knights have a tough sub-district as they're in there with GACC, Wisner-Pilger, BRLD, and Omaha Nation.

Boden feels her team can be a factor in the postseason. "We always seem to pull some pretty good teams there, but I'm confident that if we work hard and we keep making adjustments throughout the season that we'll be one to compete against."

I think Oakland-Craig has a good chance to do some damage and make some noise this season.

The Knights ought to be feeling optimistic about things and their chances of being good and competitive this season.

Oakland-Craig has to play with fire, pride, passion, tenacity, heart, toughness, grit, and determination.

The Knights also have to dive after balls and be scrappy.

Oakland-Craig has to execute in the serve receive, passing, hitting, blocking, and serve game.

The Knights have to dream big and go out there and make their dreams come true.

The ultimate goal has to be to get to Lincoln, and Oakland-Craig has to try and get in a Sub-State Match if possible.

I think the Knights could do enough throughout the course of the regular season to get there, but it won't be easy.

Oakland-Craig has to keep getting better and progressing as the season goes along, and has to peak and play their best Volleyball at the right time.

The Knights have to play with a spark, and give it their all at all times.

2018 Oakland-Craig Knights Volleyball Schedule:

08/23/18 Howells-Dodge
08/30-09/01 (To Be Determined)         Northeast Volleyball Classic (2/3-Day Tournament) Wisner-Pilger/Pender
09/08-09/08 (To Be Determined) Boone Central Invite (1-Day Tournament, >4 Teams) Boone Central High School
09/11/18 @ Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family
09/13/18 Yutan
09/18/18 @ North Bend Central
09/20/18 Arlington                          Triangular (host: Oakland-Craig)
09/20/18 Guardian Angels Central Catholic  Triangular (host: Oakland-Craig)
09/25/18 Tekamah-Herman                          Triangular (host: Stanton)
09/25/18 Stanton Triangular (host: Stanton)
09/29-09/29 (To Be Determined) Clarkson-Leigh (1-Day Tournament, >4 Teams) Clarkson
10/02/18 Douglas County West                 Triangular (host: Douglas County West)
10/02/18 West Point-Beemer                         Triangular (host: Douglas County West)
10/04/18 @ Pender
10/09/18 Logan View/Scribner-Snyder Triangular (host: Archbishop Bergan)
10/09/18 Archbishop Bergan                         Triangular (host: Archbishop Bergan)
10/11-10/13 (To Be Determined) East Husker Conference Tournament (2/3-Day Tournament) TBA
10/16/18 Clarkson/Leigh
10/23/18 Wisner-Pilger
10/25/18 BRLD

Logan View/Scribner-Snyder expecting to be much improved

Team: Logan View/Scribner-Snyder

Mascot: Raiders

Colors: Blue and Gold

Class: C-1

Head Coach: Brad Schlegel (2nd Season)

2017 record: Logan View 5-26 Scribner-Snyder 14-15

Returning Starters: 7

Overview:

There is lots of optimism at Logan View/Scribner-Snyder this season as the Raiders have a bunch of experienced and veteran players back from last season.

Back from Logan View is Shaylin Daugherty (5'9, SR M), Ashley Uhing (5'6, SR OH), Taylor Ruwe (5'5, JR OH), Tyler Christianson (5'5 JR RS), and Reagan Klein (5'4, JR S).

Kaylin Niewohner (5'4, SR OH) and Emily Lewin (5'8, JR M) are returning starters from Scribner-Snyder.

Newcomers expected to make a big impact include Elizabeth Hull (5'4, JR L), Dream Daugherty (5'8, FR OH), Kristal Svehla (5'11 SO RS), and Leah Keithley (5'3, FR S).

Big losses from Logan View include Setter Jaycen Timm. Key losses from Scribner-Snyder include Kaylee and Nicole Boyle.

2nd year Head Coach Brad Schlegel says the program is looking to rebound off their recent struggles in what was once two proud Volleyball Schools.

He adds the offseason went well. "It was really a good time for them to kind of get with each other and just kind of feel each other out before the rigors of the season started. Because really when the season starts it gets hard, and if you don't have that relationship it's easy to kind of snap at each other a little bit if you don't have that relationship built up."

Schlegel says the team competed well at a league at Fremont Bergan, and also took part in the Clarkson/Leigh Camp as well as a camp at Concordia.

He adds the co-op has gone smooth for the Girls that also play Basketball, but it's been tougher for some of the girls that are just Volleyball and Volleyball and Track.

I think the more these girls play together the better they'll mesh and eventually come together.

Change takes time to embrace, and I'm sure a lot of these girls are in the process of getting used to this new co-op.

I feel this is Logan View/Scribner-Snyder's time, the Raiders' chance to really do something this season.

LVSS is no longer young and inexperienced. The Raiders are older and more veteran laden.

Now is the time to win. There couldn't be a better time than the present for the Raiders.

LVSS has to play hard, smart, dive after loose balls, hit their spots, and stay healthy in order to be successful this season, in my opinion.

Season Outlook:

Logan View/Scribner-Snyder is looking to be vastly improved this season compared to how Logan View did last year.

I think the winning and success Scribner-Snyder had last year is going to really help this program with the players that are joining LVSS from Scribner-Snyder.

Logan View/Scribner-Snyder opens up the season at the Boys Town Triangular next Thursday, taking on Omaha Brownell-Talbot and Boys Town. Schlegel breaks down both opponents. "Brownell's got some good players coming back, and they're really well coached. Boys Town you kind of never know for sure what they're going to bring. They usually bring some talent that at the season's kind of of tough to organize just with their special situation. But we are excited and we're ready to get started, and are really hoping we can notch a couple W's to start the season and kind of get this thing rolling."

Schlegel feels his team is ready to compete and give teams in their sub-district a run for their money.

LVSS is in Sub-District C1-6 with North Bend Central, Tekamah-Herman, Arlington, and West Point-Beemer.

Challenging matches on the schedule in my mind include DC West, Tekamah-Herman, Howells-Dodge, West Point-Beemer, Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family, Clarkson/Leigh, BRLD, Wisner-Pilger, Fremont Bergan, North Bend Central, and Stanton, just to name a few.

I think a fast start is very possible for the Raiders. LVSS has a lot of winnable matches early on before the schedule gets tougher in mid-September.

Schlegel says making a sub-state match will be a challenge. "We are deeper this year than we have been, but we aren't very deep across the front line. We don't have a lot of height. And so in order to get there we're going to have to get really scrappy, and we're going to have to do what we can."

Schlegel says being scrappy is going to be very important for the Raiders.

He adds last year the team was into moral victories, but they want to put some W's in the win column this year with a goal of finishing .500 or better.

I don't see why LVSS can't do that.

I think the schedule sets up nicely for the Raiders to win quite a few more matches than Logan View won last year.

I think the woes and tough incurred losses will be minimized this season.

I think there will be quite a bit of improvement from last year to this year for the Raiders.

2018 Logan View/Scribner-Snyder Raiders Volleyball Schedule:
08/23/18 Boys Town                                 Triangular (host: Boys Town)
08/23/18 Omaha Brownell Talbot                 Triangular (host: Boys Town)
08/30/18 @ Douglas County West
09/01-09/01 (To Be Determined) Ft. Calhoun Invitational (4-Team 1-Day Tournament) Ft. Calhoun
09/04/18 Tekamah-Herman                 Triangular (host: Twin River)
09/04/18 Twin River                                  Triangular (host: Twin River)
09/08-09/08 (To Be Determined)         Bishop Neumann Invite (1-Day Tournament, >4 Teams) Bishop Neumann High School
09/11/18 Pender
09/13/18 Howells-Dodge
     09/15 (To Be Determined)         Logan View Invite (4-Team Round Robin) Logan View
09/18/18 Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family Triangular (host: Logan View/Scribner-Snyder (LVSS))
09/18/18 West Point-Beemer                         Triangular (host: Logan View/Scribner-Snyder (LVSS)
09/25/18 Clarkson/Leigh
09/27/18 @ Madison
10/02/18 @ BRLD
10/09/18 Archbishop Bergan                          Triangular (host: Archbishop Bergan)
10/09/18 Oakland-Craig                          Triangular (host: Archbishop Bergan)
10/11-10/13 (To Be Determined)         East Husker Conference Tournament (2/3-Day Tournament) TBA
10/18/18 Wisner-Pilger                                 Triangular (host: Wisner-Pilger)
10/18/18 Fort Calhoun                                 Triangular (host: Wisner-Pilger)
10/23/18 North Bend Central                 Triangular (host: Logan View/Scribner-Snyder (LVSS))
10/23/18 Stanton                                         Triangular (host: Logan View/Scribner-Snyder (LVSS))

Wisner-Pilger looks for big season

Team: Wisner-Pilger

Mascot: Gators

Colors: Green and White

Class: C-2

Head Coach: Jean Groth (40th season) (781-241 record)

2017 record: 24-9

Returning Starters: 1

Overview:

The Wisner-Pilger Volleyball Team looks to be really good this year in Head Coach Jean Groth's 40th season.

The Gators return one starter in star Jordan Wegner (6'0, SR OH).

Other returning letterwinners include Emily Hatterman (5'5, SR S), Aspin Waterman (5'8, SR OH), Rachel Otten (6'1, JR MH), and Karrin Jindra (5'8, JR MH).

I look for these 5 to really help carry and shoulder the load for Wisner-Pilger this season.

I look for Wegner to really lead and put this team on her back.

I think she will have a great and outstanding season, and be the leader of this team.

It will be interesting to see if the Gators can breakthrough and make a sub-state match and reach state.

I think this year's as good as any for it to happen, and I feel Wisner-Pilger has a chance to make the dream a reality.

There will be teams in the Gators' way no doubt, but whenever you have a player like Wegner anything is possible.

Wisner-Pilger has to serve, pass, hit, and serve receive well at all times.

The Gators have to get good swings on the ball and hit their spots on a consistent basis.

Working hard and playing good sound, fundamental volleyball will be key, in my opinion.

Wisner-Pilger has to control what they can control, which is their heart, hustle, will, and determination.

The Gators have to play smart volleyball, and keep a cool head at all times.

Being aggressive and taking the fight to opponents is going to be important for Wisner-Pilger I feel.

Groth's preseason assessment of her team is continual improvements, competitive always, the ball doesn't know.

I think getting better each and everyday and always playing at a high level is the key to the Gators' success this year.

Season Outlook:

Wisner-Pilger would like to make a sub-state match and reach state, I don't think there's any doubt about it.

The Gators have challenging matches against West Point-Beemer, North Bend Central, Stanton, BRLD, GACC, Tekamah-Herman, and others.

Wisner-Pilger certainly has some challenging matches this year, but I think the Gators are capable of beating quite a few of the teams I just listed above.

Outside of the Stanton match or matches, I feel Wisner-Pilger will be favored in most of the matches they play this season.

I really feel this is the Gators' time to shine and do something.

It could be now or never for Wisner-Pilger.

The Gators are in Sub-District C2-3 with GACC, BRLD, Oakland-Craig, and Omaha Nation.

That sub-district figures to be challenging, but I think Wisner-Pilger has what it takes to win it and make a sub-state match.

I look for the Gators to be a strong factor in the East Husker Conference and Sub-District Tournaments.

I think Wisner-Pilger could win 25 or more matches this season.

The Gators have to keep their eye on the prize and stay focused at all times though.

Wisner-Pilger has to have goals set high, and go out there and achieve their hopes, dreams, and goals.

The Gators have to dream big, and have the mentality that they're not going to get beat every time they take to the floor.

Wisner-Pilger has to play to win each and every time out, and can't play not to lose.

The Gators have what it takes to do spectacular things this season, I just feel it.

Whether they do or not depends on how well they step up in big matches though, in my opinion.

If Wisner-Pilger can play above and beyond themselves against teams like Stanton, GACC, etc...then they should be right there in the end.

The Gators open up the season at Schuyler next Thursday.

2018 Wisner-Pilger Gators Volleyball Schedule:

08/23/18 @ Schuyler
08/30-09/01 (To Be Determined)          Northeast Volleyball Classic (2/3-Day Tournament) Wisner-Pilger/Pender
09/04/18 @ West Point-Beemer
09/11/18 North Bend Central
09/18/18 Stanton                                          Triangular (host: Pender)
09/18/18 Pender                                          Triangular (host: Pender)
09/20/18 Battle Creek                                  Triangular (host: Battle Creek)
09/20/18 Crofton                                          Triangular (host: Battle Creek)
09/25/18 Madison                                          Double Triangular (host: Wisner-Pilger)
09/25/18 BRLD                                          Double Triangular (host: Wisner-Pilger)
10/04/18 Lutheran High Northeast         Triangular (host: Lutheran High Northeast)
10/04/18 Guardian Angels Central Catholic Triangular (host: Lutheran High Northeast)
10/06-10/06 (To Be Determined) Wisner-Pilger October Classic (1-Day Tournament, >4 Teams) Wisner-Pilger
10/09/18 @ Tekamah-Herman
10/11-10/13 (To Be Determined) East Husker Conference Tournament (2/3-Day Tournament) TBA
10/16/18 Twin River
10/18/18 Logan View/Scribner-Snyder (LVSS)
10/18/18 Fort Calhoun
10/23/18 @ Oakland-Craig

North Bend Central finishes 4th at State

Lincoln-The North Bend Central Volleyball Team downed Malcolm for the second time this season, winning 3-1 in a state match played at Lincoln North Star on Thursday.

The Tigers took set one 25-17 before losing set two 25-15. North Bend Central came back to win set three 25-17, and set four 25-23.

Brooke Fredrickson had 19 kill while West Virginia Commit Kristin Lux had 18. Megan Ortmeier added 7.

North Bend Central came up short of reaching the State Championship as the Tigers lost 3-0 to Wahoo in the State Semifinals at Pinnacle Bank Arena Friday afternoon.

The Tigers dropped set one 25-23, set two 25-18, and set three 25-22.

Lux had 14 kills while Fredrickson totaled 10.

North Bend Central lost 3-0 to Lincoln Lutheran in Saturday's 3rd place match at Lincoln Southeast.

The Tigers lost set one 25-14, set two 25-21, and set three 25-18.

The last two matches of the season were tough for North Bend Central, but what a great year the Tigers had.

North Bend Central ends the season at 31-3.

The Tigers ran the table this year, and picked up big wins over Wayne (3 times), Fremont Bergan, Wisner-Pilger (twice), Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family, West Point-Beemer, David City Aquinas, Malcolm (twice), Tekamah-Herman, Stanton, Columbus Lakeview, and Columbus Scotus.

I think finally getting over the hurdle of beating Lakeview and Scotus is something that will set the tone for the future and lead to future postseason success for North Bend Central.

The Tigers graduate a lot of talent off this year's team though.

North Bend Central loses Lux, Fredrickson, Kaitlynn Bjorklund, Caitlyn Wiebold, Emma Kavan, Hailey Bang, and Kiley Allgood.

Key returners include Ortmeier, Lauren Emanuel, Jacki Minarick, Faith Taylor, and Kendra Lorence.

The Tigers certainly lose such a talented senior class that accomplished a lot. North Bend Central has a lot to be proud of given the result of this season and given what this senior class meant to Tiger Volleyball.

I would say this was the best team in school history, and this senior class and this team specifically has set the bar for future North Bend Central Teams.

Future teams have a lot to live up to given how great a season the Tigers had this year.

Next year's team has a lot of work to do in the offseason to make their own mark and leave their own legacy.

The standard has been set, and the returning players know what it's going to take to get back to the top.

Anytime you lose a Division I Volleyball Player and another player going to Midland you know replacing them is not easy.

We'll see if North Bend Central reloads instead of rebuilds. I think that will be the case.

I think you will see this Tigers squad compete at a very high level again next year and win their fair share of matches.

North Bend Central may not be quite as good as they were this year, but I look for the Tigers to be a great team for years to come.

Stanton takes 3rd at State

The Stanton Volleyball Team took 3rd at this past weekend's State Tournament, beating Fremont Bergan 3-1 in the 1st round at Lincoln Southwest on Thursday, and losing 3-1 to Hartington Cedar Catholic in the Semifinals at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Friday, before sweeping Nebraska Christian 3-0 in the 3rd place match at Lincoln Southeast on Saturday.

The Knights won set one 25-21 before the Mustangs took set two 25-17, set three 25-15, and set four 25-22.

Jessie Brandl finished with 22 kills and 24 digs while Bree Burtwhistle registered 17 kills, 22 digs, and 29 set assists. Hannah Heppner added 14 kills while Jaiden Hartl posted 18 digs. Makenna Espinoza totaled 14 digs and 21 set assists.

The Trojans won set one 25-22 and set two 25-18 before Stanton took set three 25-22. Hartington Cedar Catholic claimed set four 25-18.

Brandl had 21 kills and 18 digs while Burtwhistle notched 17 kills, 17 digs, and 22 set assists. Reba Waskowiak added 7 blocks while Hartl tallied 23 digs. Espinoza recorded 23 set assists.

The Mustangs downed the Eagles 26-24 in the 1st set, 25-20 in the 2nd set, and 25-12 in the 3rd set.

Heppner had 15 kills while Waskowiak registered 9 blocks. Brandl posted 11 kills and 14 digs while Burtwhistle notched 9 kills, 14 digs, and 25 set assists. Hartl added 14 digs while Espinoza chipped in 17 set assists.

Great season for Stanton. The Mustangs didn't win state this year, but 3rd place is knocking on the door.

Stanton ends the year at 31-4.

The Mustangs had really good wins over Clarkson/Leigh (twice), Pierce, Ord, West Point-Beemer (3 times), Wisner-Pilger (twice), North Bend Central, Wayne, Tekamah-Herman, Lutheran High Northeast (twice), and Thayer Central.

Brandl led the team in kills on the season with 360 while Burtwhisle had 325.

Liz Christensen led the way with 72 aces on the season while Heppner had a team-high 77 blocks.

Hartl had 341 digs while Brandl posted 330.

Burtwhistle registered 573 set assists while Espinoza totaled 491.

Stanton loses 5 seniors to graduation in Heppner, Allie Spence, Alyna Padilla, Natalie Matthies, and Lillian Bernhardt.

The Mustangs figure to be great and locked and loaded again in 2018.

Stanton returns a ton of talent, including Brandl, Burtwhistle, Hartl, Espinoza, Christensen, and Waskowiak.

I look for the Mustangs to have a great season next year, but these girls have basketball and track this season first.

There's a lot for Stanton to accomplish in winter and spring sports as well as next Volleyball season.

A 3rd place finish at state is a tremendous accomplishment, and the Mustangs should be very proud of their efforts.

Now it's time to move on and get ready for other sports and next year's Volleyball season.

I think the success Stanton had this year will allow the Mustangs to be successful in other sports this year and in Volleyball again next year.

Stanton has to keep their successful run going, and continue to perform at a high level in all Girls Sports.

The Mustangs have a lot to be proud of this year, and I look for the future to be bright for Stanton.