Logan View/Scribner-Snyder looking to build off last year's success

Team: Logan View/Scribner-Snyder

Mascot: Raiders

Colors: Blue and Gold

Class: C-1

Head Coach: Brad Schlegel (3rd Season) (19-43 record)

2018 record: 14-17

Returning Starters: 4

Overview:

There's reason for optimism for the Logan View/Scribner-Snyder Volleyball Team this year as the Raiders saw vast improvement last year, going 14-17. Head Coach Brad Schlegel says the girls are changing the culture and buying into what they're being taught.

"Something that I tell the girls, and having a good strong season puts us there that you have to play confident, and you can't play being afraid to make mistakes. You have to play telling yourself that the best outcome is going to happen. And I think actually seeing that work a little bit last season has made a lot of the team buy into that mindset, that a lot of it is mind over matter. And it's not just what's happening physically, but it's also what's happening mentally."

The Raiders return four starters from last year, including setter Reagan Klein (5'3, SR), outside hitter Emily Lewin (5'6, SR), Tyler Christanson (5'5, SR S/RS), and outside hitter Dream Daugherty (5'8 SO).

Elizabeth Hull (5'3, SR) is expected to start at Libero for the Raiders.

Others likely to contribute include Fairbury Transfer Adrian Kroeker (6'0, SR MH), Kristal Svehla (6'0, JR MH), Nia Meyer (5'5, JR OH/DS), Stormy Poast (5'2, JR L), and Leah Kiethley (5'3, SO S).

Logan View/Scribner Snyder lost Taylor Ruwe (5'6, SR OH) to an ACL tear in the offseason.

Schlegel says losing Ruwe is a big blow, but the team still has a lot of great players. "Our team returns a lot of experience this year. Losing Taylor this summer, hurts us a lot but we have a lot of upper classmen. We have a lot of solid players but will need everyone reaching their potential to reach our goals."

Schlegel says to get some wins racked up last year and have some success and play in tight and competitive games served as a lot of growth for his team.

I feel anytime you improve your win total by nearly 10 games in a season you're doing something right.

And as well as the Raiders did last year I feel they could of done even better as LVSS was just 2-10 in their last 12 games to finish the season.

I think the way Logan View/Scribner-Snyder finished last season just adds fuel to the fire, and gives them motivation and determination to compete with and beat the tough teams on their schedule.

I feel becoming consistent with their play is the key to another and even better season for the Raiders this year.

LVSS has to start off strong like they did last year and simply finish what they started if this year's start is like last year's.

Season Outlook:

Logan View/Scribner-Snyder begins the season on August 29th with a home Triangular against Boys Town and Omaha Brownell Talbot. Schlegel says both opponents present a different challenge.

"Boys Town you never know quite what to expect there, they have a lot of turnover in their roster from year-to-year... you never know what to expect from them. And Brownell Talbot has been on the upswing for the past couple of years as well. So we just want to come out with a good solid effort, and take care of the small things, and then know that success comes when you take care of those small things, and bigger, greater things will happen."

As far as the East Husker Conference goes, Schlegel feels his team could finish in the top 4 of the Conference Tournament.

Everyone seems to think and agree on the conference being super wide open this year.

I tend to agree with that too.

Schlegel hopes his team finishes in the top half of the conference, and feels the top 8 or 9 teams could be on par with one another.

I don't feel like there's that one heavy dominant team this year like we've had with North Bend Central in 2017 and Stanton last year.

I feel like there are a lot of teams who have a chance to make a name for themselves in the conference this year.

It should be a really fun and exciting season, and I'm sure LVSS can't wait to get going.

The last time the Raiders made State was 2004, and it would be a huge deal to make it 15 years later for sure.

Last year kind of seems like it was the first year in a while that the Raiders have experienced a lot of success ever since Jordan Larson graduated.

I feel LVSS can get back to that level at some point in the future.

The Raiders already made a ton of strides and progress last year, and if Logan View/Scribner-Snyder can finish with a winning record above .500 this year that will be a very big deal for this program.

The Raiders have learned how to win and appear to be figuring things out and turning the program into a winner so LVSS has to just simply keep doing what they have been doing, and they will be just fine.

2019 Logan View/Scribner-Snyder Raiders Volleyball Schedule:

08/29/19 Boys Town Triangular (host: Logan View/Scribner-Snyder (LVSS))
08/29/19 Omaha Brownell Talbot Triangular (host: Logan View/Scribner-Snyder (LVSS))
09/05/19 Douglas County West
09/07-09/07 (To Be Determined) Ft. Calhoun Invitational (4-Team 1-Day Tournament) Fort Calhoun High School
09/10/19 Twin River Triangular (host: Logan View/Scribner-Snyder (LVSS))
09/10/19 Tekamah-Herman Triangular (host: Logan View/Scribner-Snyder (LVSS))
09/14-09/14 (To Be Determined) Bishop Neumann Invite (1-Day Tournament, >4 Teams) Bishop Neumann HS
09/16/19 North Bend Central Triangular (host: North Bend Central)
09/16/19 Stanton Triangular (host: North Bend Central)
09/17/19 @ Pender
09/19/19 @ Howells-Dodge
     09/21 (To Be Determined) Logan View Booster Club Invite (4-Team Round Robin) Logan View High School
09/24/19 West Point-Beemer Triangular (host: West Point-Beemer)
09/24/19 Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family Triangular (host: West Point-Beemer)
10/01/19 @ Clarkson/Leigh
10/03/19 Madison
10/08/19 BRLD
10/15/19 Archbishop Bergan Triangular (host: Oakland-Craig)
10/15/19 Oakland-Craig Triangular (host: Oakland-Craig)
10/17-10/19 (To Be Determined) East Husker Conf. VB Tour. (2/3-Day Tournament) Pender High School
10/24/19 Wisner-Pilger Triangular (host: Logan View/Scribner-Snyder (LVSS))
10/24/19 Fort Calhoun Triangular (host: Logan View/Scribner-Snyder (LVSS))

Clarkson/Leigh hoping to build off of what last year's Senior Class accomplished

Team: Clarkson-Leigh

Mascot: Patriots

Colors: Red, Blue, and Gray

Class: C-2

Head Coach: Becky Schneider (8th season) (100-123 career record)

2018 record: 24-8 (Lost to Stanton in Sub-Districts)

Returning Starters: N/A

Overview:

Clarkson/Leigh Volleyball returns just 2 varsity players from last year's team that saw 7 seniors graduate. Head Coach Becky Schneider says this year's team is young, but has a lot of promise.

"The girls that we have are young, they're a little bit inexperienced. The one other returner varsity letterwinner, Cassidy Hoffman (JR, MH), she's doing a great job leading the team, kind of taking control out there in practice and stuff. And the others have some big shoes to fill, but they've been nothing short of all the expectations. They've been pushing themselves, working hard, and I mean they've been pushed the last couple of years, so they're really stepping it up and we're kind of impressed with what we've got going on right now."

Schneider says Ashlynn Novotny is out with an injury at the moment.

Newcomers include Kennedy Settje (SO) and Kayden Schumacher (JR) on the outside.

Senior Kim Stodola will also play middle, and Makenna Held (SO) takes over at setter.

Others on the team include Reagan Settje (SR, RS), Taylor Larson (SR, RS), Alissa Kasik (JR, DS), Brittany Urbanek (SR, DS), and Bailey Lemburg (JR, DS/S).

Beth Wiese, Kaegan Held, Halee Steffensmeier, Hannah Kasik, Paige Moore, Holly Kuhr, and Sara McEvoy all graduated last year.

Schneider has this preseason assessment of her team. "Weakness: We are young, lack depth and lack varsity experience. Strength: This group is very athletic, hard-working and has played together for the last few years. They know the expectations of the season and will do everything in their power to be successful!"

I think the biggest thing for this year's Patriot squad is believing.

Clarkson/Leigh has to believe in themselves and each other, and has to go out there each and every night expecting to win.

This program has done a lot of winning the last couple of years in particular, and this year's team has to take it upon themselves to keep things going.

Last year's senior class set the bar for Patriot Volleyball, and now this year's team has to build upon that.

Clarkson/Leigh can be good too, they just have to work hard, be confident, and play aggressive, but smart Volleyball all season long.

Season Outlook:

Clarkson/Leigh looks to continue the winning ways this season that last year's senior class established.

Schneider says the confidence of this year's team is a work in progress.

"They think that last year's group was really stellar. They don't think that they can be as successful, but we totally see that, and we're trying to get that motivation across to them that they can be just as good if not better. That's kind of what we strive for every year anyway is to be better than the last year."

The Patriots open up the season at Howells-Dodge on September 3rd.

The Jaguars have a lot of girls back, and have a new coach, and that should be a good and interesting match to say the least.

It's a rivalry match, and you know Clarkson/Leigh will be up for that match.

The Patriots appear to me like they lack confidence right now though.

Maybe it's just because how talented last year's senior class was, but the good news about that is this is just the preseason.

Their confidence can grow and be developed as we are only in the first week of practice.

There's a long time between now and the first match, and I think having a while before playing a match is a good thing for this team.

Clarkson/Leigh has to take it upon themselves to honor what last year's senior class did, and come out and make a name for themselves.

The Patriots have to keep it going if at all possible, and continue the winning ways of Clarkson/Leigh Volleyball.

Last year's senior class worked extremely hard over the course of their 4 years at Clarkson/Leigh, and this year's team has to work just as hard if not even harder.

I'm sure some of that work ethic last year's senior class had has rubbed off on this team, and I think it's simply a matter of time before the Patriots figure things out and put things all together prior to the first match.

I feel the Patriots have a fairly tough and challenging schedule this year, but should get the most out of themselves night in and night out.

2019 Clarkson/Leigh Patriots Volleyball Schedule:

09/03/19 @ Howells-Dodge
09/05/19 Madison Triangular (host: Clarkson/Leigh)
09/05/19 Stanton Triangular (host: Clarkson/Leigh)
09/10/19 BRLD
09/12/19 Pender
09/19/19 High Plains Community Triangular (host: Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family)
09/19/19 Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family Triangular (host: Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family)
09/21-09/21 (To Be Determined) Stanton Tournament (1-Day Tournament, >4 Teams) Stanton
09/24/19 Twin River
09/28-09/28 (To Be Determined) Hampton Tournament (1-Day Tournament, >4 Teams) Hampton
10/01/19 Logan View/Scribner-Snyder (LVSS)
10/03/19 @ Schuyler
10/05-10/05 (To Be Determined) Clarkson-Leigh Invite (1-Day Tournament, >4 Teams) Clarkson
10/08/19 Shelby/Rising City Triangular (host: Shelby/Rising City)
10/08/19 Lutheran High Northeast Triangular (host: Shelby/Rising City)
10/10/19 @ Humphrey St. Francis
     10/12 (To Be Determined) Wisner-Pilger Varsity VB Classic (4-Team Round Robin)
10/17-10/19 (To Be Determined) East Husker Conf. VB Tour. (2/3-Day Tournament) Pender High School
10/22/19 Oakland-Craig

Howells-Dodge under new leadership with Taryn Janke at the helm

Team: Howells-Dodge

Mascot: Jaguars

Colors: Green, Black, and Silver

Class: C-2

Head Coach: Taryn Janke (1st Season)

2018 record: 16-15

Returning Starters: N/A

Overview:

Howells-Dodge has a new Coach in Taryn Janke. Janke is from Cedar Bluffs and has been a Jaguar assistant in recent years.

"I'm from originally Cedar Bluffs. I lived in Winside for the longest time so I was driving back and forth. I was an assistant coach for three years, and so this will be my 4th year at Howells-Dodge. And I got the head coach job."

Janke takes over for Neil VanLengen.

Janke says key returners include Taya VanLengen and Alyssa Coufal.

"We have Alyssa Coufal who will be our setter. She's back, a senior this year. And then we also have Grace Kreikemeier and Courtney Bayer. Courtney Bayer's a new benefit for the team coming in as a defensive specialist. And Taya VanLengen as well. She was a Libero, but we kind of moved her to the outside, and she's going to be pretty good for us to help us out."

Newcomers include Jill Grovijohn at outside and right side hitter, Lexi Brester, Jayda Bazata, Audrey Coufal, and others. Brooklyn Macholan returns as a middle hitter as well.


McKenna Klosen, Tonya Brester, Jessi Brester, Hannah Bayer, Erin Prusa, and Grace Dvorak all graduated last year.

Coach Janke certainly has a lot of talented girls to work with, and even though numbers are kind of low I fully expect the Jaguars to have success.

Janke has worked with these girls the past few years and that should really help.

I think the transition from Coach VanLengen to Coach Janke will be a smooth one.

If Howells-Dodge can play up to their potential night in and night out I think great things can happen for this team.

The Jaguars lost Madyson Cech to a torn ACL so they will definitely miss her height as they will be a pretty small team, but Howells-Dodge just simply has to have different girls step up on a nightly and game-by-game basis.

If anything the Jaguars have to rally around the injury of Cech and go on to have the type of season they are capable of having.

Howells-Dodge has to work hard and come to practice with a positive and I can do attitude each time out.

If the Jaguars do that then they can do anything they put their minds to.

Season Outlook:

Howells-Dodge gets their season started on August 29th against Oakland-Craig at home.

Janke says the team is working on being a more cohesive unit.

"For us it's a lot about team bonding. We are working a lot on communication, which is one as a team we agreed that needed to get better. Just communicating with each other and not getting frustrated and having a positive attitude. And I think as far as that's gone we've done a pretty good job of overcoming that."

Team bonding activities off the court are important as well I feel.

Having a game night or a team dinner at players' homes if the team doesn't do that already are both good team bonding activities, in my opinion.

The Jaguars have a lot of work to do this season, but there's no doubt Howells-Dodge can be successful if they work hard and learn each and every time out.

I feel the schedule sets up very nicely for the Jaguars.

The toughest part of the schedule is towards the end of the season, but by that time Howells-Dodge should be playing their best Volleyball.

I think it will be important for the Jaguars to stay healthy, although that goes for any team really.

But especially Howells-Dodge because they are low on numbers compared to years past.

The Jaguars have to be hungry and have to play with a winning mentality every time they take to the floor.

Howells-Dodge has to put fear into their opponents and be the type of team no one wants to play.

The Jaguars have to bring it night in and night out and not have any off nights if at all possible.

Howells-Dodge has to bring the lunch pail to the gym for every practice or match, and be serious, yet have fun at the same time.

The Jaguars have to play smart, but aggressive Volleyball, and pick and choose their spots to attack or set something up for the next play.

Howells-Dodge has to get fired up each time they play the game, and come to practice and matches excited, motivated, and highly energetic.

2019 Howells-Dodge Jaguars Volleyball Schedule:

08/29/19 Oakland-Craig
     08/31 (To Be Determined) Winside Quad (4-Team Round Robin) Winside
09/03/19 Clarkson/Leigh
09/10/19 Pender Triangular (host: Howells-Dodge)
09/10/19 Emerson-Hubbard Triangular (host: Howells-Dodge)
     09/14 (To Be Determined) Howells-Dodge Tournament (4-Team Round Robin) Howells-Dodge
09/17/19 @ Wakefield-Allen
09/19/19 Logan View/Scribner-Snyder (LVSS)
09/24/19 @ Lutheran High Northeast
09/26/19 Pender Triangular (host: Cedar Bluffs)
09/26/19 Cedar Bluffs Triangular (host: Cedar Bluffs)
10/01/19 Wisner-Pilger Double Triangular (host: Wisner-Pilger)
10/01/19 BRLD Double Triangular (host: Wisner-Pilger)
10/05-10/05 (To Be Determined) Clarkson-Leigh Invite (1-Day Tournament, >4 Teams) Clarkson
10/08/19 @ Stanton
     10/12 (To Be Determined) Humphrey-LHF Round Robin (4-Team Round Robin) Humphrey
10/17-10/19 (To Be Determined) East Husker Conf. VB Tour. (2/3-Day Tournament) Pender High School
10/22/19 North Bend Central
10/24/19 Tekamah-Herman

West Point-Beemer looking for Black to lead team to successful season

Team: West Point-Beemer

Mascot: Cadets

Colors: Red and White

Class: C-1

Head Coach: Scott Black (1st season)

2018 record: 17-15 (lost to Wahoo at Sub-State)

Returning Starters: 2


Overview:

West Point-Beemer has a new Volleyball Coach in Scott Black. Black comes to West Point from Iowa, where he spent nearly a decade as Head Coach of a Sioux City area high school.

"I have coached at Sergeant Bluff-Luton, 9 years experience as a Head Volleyball Coach. I've also coached JV and Freshman as well as AAU and USA Volleyball, so I've worked with all grade levels at Sergeant Bluff over 9 seasons. We amassed 180 career victories, and look to continue that at West Point."

Black takes over for Conley Straight, who accepted a position with McCook.

Black inherits a team that went 17-15 last year, and returns some key players from that team.

"We return Sidney Swanson, a junior outside hitter. Had over 300 kills last year. As well as Brooklyn Weddle, she played Libero last year. We're going to look at some different options for her. And Rachel Groth and Rachel's sister Katie will likely play middle. And then Jadyn Meiergerd as an outside hitter, and Katie Rainforth as our setter."

Black says top newcomers include Diana Cervantes at Libero and sophomore Emily Oligmueller at Outside Hitter.

The Cadets graduated Ashton Troyer, Andrea Hoffman, Abby Kaup, Rebecca Weddell, Brooke Haase, Kendra Paasch, and Sierra Kile.

Black is assisted by Emily Filsinger and Taylor Shepard.

"I am really blessed. Taylor Shepard of course is West Point's Head Girls Basketball Coach. And she brings a really good connection with the girls. And then we have Emily Filsinger...Emily was a College Volleyball Player at Hastings College. And so her knowledge of the game. And I would say that both of my assistant coaches have been very positive and very helpful during this transition."

The Cadets begin the year at the Stanton Triangular on August 29th against Battle Creek and the host Mustangs.

Black says the team will likely run a perimeter defense and a 6-2 or 5-1 system.

I feel West Point-Beemer has a chance to do a lot of winning this season, especially given Black's background.

He is a proven winner, having won 180 games at Sergeant Bluff-Luton, and I think he will fit in very well and do just fine at West Point-Beemer.

The Cadets did lose a lot of talent, but I feel there is a lot returning and a lot to work with.

Season Outlook:

I feel when looking at West Point-Beemer's schedule that there are a lot of traditional powers on it that lost a lot of players to graduation last year.

I feel the Cadets have a chance to win a lot of matches this year, and do even better than they did last year.

I thought Coach Straight did a nice job building this program into a contender, and now I think Coach Black can take things to the next level.

When talking about the East Husker Conference, I feel North Bend Central and Logan View/Scribner-Snyder will both be very good.

I think teams like Clarkson/Leigh and Stanton have a lot of question marks being as they both lost a load of talented seniors.

BRLD should be solid, and I think Wisner-Pilger should be a top contender as well.

The conference is pretty wide open I feel though so it will be interesting to see what happens in the conference race.

I don't think there's any doubt the Cadets want to get back to Sub-State and make state.

This is a team and a program that can and wants to play for championships, state berths, and ultimately state titles, there's no doubt about that.

And I feel Coach Black is the coach to take this program to State.

There's a lot of work to be done between now and November, but if these girls work hard and put the time in during the course of the season they should be a successful group.

I would imagine there will be some adjusting and getting used to things so don't be surprised if the Cadets start off a little slow, but I think you will see West Point-Beemer hit their stride and make a run starting midseason.

The sky is the limit for the Cadets as far as I'm concerned, and these girls have to dream big and be ready to accomplish big things.

Playing hard, smart, fundamental Volleyball is key in my mind.

Not beating themselves and making more plays and working harder than their opponents could make all the difference for West Point-Beemer this year I feel.

2019 West Point-Beemer Cadets Volleyball Schedule:

08/29/19 Battle Creek Triangular (host: Stanton)
08/29/19 Stanton Triangular (host: Stanton)
09/03/19 Boone Central/Newman Grove
09/05-09/07 (To Be Determined) Northeast Nebraska Volleyball Classic (2/3-Day Tournament) Wisner-Pilger/Pender
09/10/19 @ Wisner-Pilger
09/12/19 Schuyler Triangular (host: Twin River)
09/12/19 Twin River Triangular (host: Twin River)
09/17/19 Tekamah-Herman
09/19/19 @ Madison
09/24/19 Logan View/Scribner-Snyder (LVSS) Triangular (host: West Point-Beemer)
09/24/19 Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family Triangular (host: West Point-Beemer)
09/26/19 @ North Bend Central
09/28-09/28 (To Be Determined) Elkhorn Valley Volleyball Tournament (1-Day Tournament, >4 Teams) Elkhorn Valley
10/01/19 Arlington Triangular (host: Wayne)
10/01/19 Wayne Triangular (host: Wayne)
10/03/19 Norfolk Catholic -
10/08/19 Douglas County West Triangular (host: West Point-Beemer)
10/08/19 Oakland-Craig Triangular (host: West Point-Beemer)
10/17-10/19 (To Be Determined) East Husker Conf. VB Tour. (2/3-Day Tournament) Pender High School
10/21/19 @ South Sioux City
10/21/19 @ South Sioux City

Stanton finishes 3rd at State

The Stanton Volleyball Team took 3rd place at State over the weekend, sweeping Battle Creek 3-0 in the first round at Lincoln Southwest on Thursday in action heard on 107.9 the Bull, before losing a five-set heartbreaker to Blue Hill in the Semifinals at Pinnacle Bank Arena Friday afternoon in action also heard on the Bull, and in a match that saw the Mustangs hold a 14-11 lead in the final set before the Bobcats rattled off five straight points to win it. Stanton swept Superior 3-0 for third place at Lincoln Northeast on Saturday.

The Mustangs downed the Braves 25-22 in set one, 25-23 in set two, and 25-17 in set three.

Jessie Brandl had 19 kills and 16 digs while Reba Waskowiak notched 14 kills. Bree Burtwhistle added 13 kills, 13 digs, and 26 set assists. Jaiden Hartl added 15 digs while Makenna Espinoza totaled 10 digs and dished out 18 set assists.

Stanton won set one over Blue Hill 25-18 before dropping set two 26-24. The Bobcats went on to win set three 25-18 before the Mustangs took set four 25-17 and lost set five 16-14.

Burtwhisle had 24 kills, 36 digs, and 27 set assists while Brandl notched 23 kills and 29 digs. Liz Christensen added 10 kills and 12 digs while Waskowiak chipped in 8 kills and 17 digs. Hartl added 25 digs while Espinoza compiled 16 digs and 33 set assists. Jasmine Kment contributed 9 digs.

The Mustangs won set over over the Wildcats 25-12, set two 25-18, and set three 25-17.

Brandl finished with 14 kills and 15 digs while Waskowiak had 11 kills. Burtwhistle tallied 8 kills, 10 digs, and 22 set assists. Hartl notched 21 digs while Espinoza chipped in 8 digs and 13 set assists. Kment added 7 digs.

Head Coach Tracy Kuester-Burtwhistle says this was a special season for the program. "Overall season the Mustangs had a great run and made some life long memories."

Great run and season by Stanton, who wraps up the year at 31-2.

Brandl led the team in kills with 343 while Burtwhistle had 332.

Hartl led the way in digs with 440 while Brandl notched 403.

Burtwhistle had 524 set assists while Espinoza totaled 444.

Kuester-Burtwhistle says her team gave it their all at state. "Team performed at a high level, volleyball is a momentum sport and we just did not have that momentum to finish when we needed to at the semi's. They fought till the end and that is all as a coach you can ask your players to do."

Kuester-Burtwhistle says her team used the disappointment of Friday's match as motivation for their final match of the season. "Blue Hill loss did sting a little the players fought till the end. The next day we got up and had the conversation that we could feel sorry for ourselves or get back on the court and make a statement, and that is what we did. We talked about that today only 2 teams in Class C2 can end with a Win and we are going to be one of those teams."

This very talented senior class includes Hartl, Brandl, Espinoza, Burtwhistle, and Waskowiak.

What more can you say about this year's senior class? Wow they accomplished a lot.

Two State Championship Game appearances, including a State Championship, in addition to two third place finishes at State.

That's one heck of a career and run.

Kuester-Burtwhistle says this year's senior class wants there to be even better teams in the future. "The senior class has left a legacy being the first class to go to state 4 consecutive years and place those 4 years. However, at the same time they have stayed humble and want future classes to 'break' all those records. They are truly a definition of leadership on and off the course."

Key returners for next year include Ellie Locke and Kment.

I don't know what the future holds for Stanton, but this year's senior class accomplished so much.

The Mustangs had a heck of a run, and I'll be curious to see if Stanton can keep it going next year.

I think it's time for the Mustangs to sit back and enjoy this one for a little while.

Stanton's returning players have to get ready to get back to work as soon as they can, but they should enjoy this run the team had this year for a while.

Stanton sweeps Bridgeport to make 4th straight State appearance

The Stanton Volleyball Team swept Bridgeport 3-0 in the C2-2 District Final at Lexington Saturday afternoon to reach state for the 4th consecutive year.

The Mustangs won the first set 25-15, the second set 25-11, and the third set 25-17.

Jessie Brandl had 14 kills and 15 digs while Bree Burtwhistle posted 10 kills, 17 digs, and 23 set assists. Reba Waskowiak added 9 kills while Liz Christensen chipped in 8. Jaiden Hartl had 29 digs while Makenna Espinoza dished out 17 set assists.

Head Coach Tracy Kuester-Burtwhistle says her squad was clicking on all cylinders. "Saturday as a team we played well. Our serve receive and defense did a good job of getting the ball to the target, setters making great decision to allow our hitters to attack. We had a balance attacking every rotation which is hard to defend. Also, from the serve line we served aggressively."

Stanton (29-1) takes on Battle Creek (22-10) in the first round of State on Thursday at Lincoln Southwest at 3:30 p.m. in action that can be heard on 107.9 the Bull.

The Braves beat South Loup 3-1 in the C2-8 District Final at Central Valley High School in Greeley on Saturday.

Kuester-Burtwhistle says her squad hasn't faced Battle Creek yet this year. "Yes, we play BC the first round and we actually have not met up with BC. We have had the opportunity to watch them play in our Stanton Tournament in September and also at our sub-districts. Our focus will be what we can control and the tempo of the match."

The Mustangs figure to have a great chance to win the whole thing as they are probably the favorite, or at least one of the favorites. Teams like Blue Hill or Superior could spoil the party though, but let's hope they don't.

Kuester-Burtwhistle discusses the pedigree her team must play with to win it all again. "Play fearless, mistakes will happen - acknowledge them and move on. Continue to trust your training and believe in your ability and the team's ability."

Stanton won it all in 2016 so we'll see if the Mustangs can win it all again in 2018.

Stanton will face either Blue Hill or Hastings St. Cecilia in the Semifinals on Friday at 1:00 p.m. if they get past the Braves.

The State Championship match will be played at 1:00 p.m. at the Devaney Center.

The semifinal match would be at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Kuester-Burtwhistle says C-2 is loaded this year. "C2 Class will be very competitive again this year. and that is what you want to happen in a State event. I am sure you will see a lot of 5 set matches."

If the Mustangs are to win State again this year it will have been a tremendous accomplishment.

I feel Stanton has a tougher road to winning a State Championship this year than two years ago, but I think this is Stanton's best team out of the four that have made state.

Kuester-Burtwhistle adds fan support has been outstanding. "Community and School have been our biggest fans. We had a great crowd on Saturday in Lexington and we look forward to that excitement at the state tournament."

The pieces are in place for the Mustangs to make another State Championship run, and it's Stanton's time to shine.

All of Stanton's State matches with the exception of a potential 3rd place match will be able to be heard on the Bull.

West Point-Beemer loses Sub-State Match to Wahoo

The West Point-Beemer Volleyball Team gave defending Class C-1 State Champion Wahoo a scare at the start of Saturday's Sub-State match at North Bend Central before the Warriors settled in and won the match 3-1.

The Cadets took set one 25-23 before Wahoo won set two 25-6, set three 25-9, and set four 25-12.

Sidney Swanson led West Point-Beemer with 10 kills.

Great start for the Cadets, coming out and smacking the Warriors in the mouth. Wahoo showed why they are the defending C-1 Champs after that though.

The Cadets end the season at 17-15.

West Point-Beemer did a lot of nice things this year.

The Cadets picked up big wins over Wisner-Pilger, North Bend Central (3 times), and Howells-Dodge (twice).

West Point-Beemer certainly did a really nice job this year competing and only lost a couple of matches they probably shouldn't of.

The Cadets graduate Ashton Troyer, Andrea Hoffman, Abby Kaup, Rebecca Weddell, Brooke Haase, Kendra Paasch, and Sierra Kile.

That's a lot of talent graduating. These girls will be missed for sure.

Key returners are Swanson, Brooklyn Weddle, Katie Rainforth, Rachel Groth, and Jadyn Meiergerd.

There are definitely some key pieces to build around for next year and in the future.

West Point-Beemer definitely loses a lot of good players, but I think the Cadets have a bright future in front of them.

West Point-Beemer has had pretty respectable seasons the past couple of years, and really finished this season out strong.

I look for this year's strong finish to carry over into next year, and allow the Cadets to be a team to be reckoned with in the future.

The Cadets have to play a lot of Volleyball between now and the start of next season though.

West Point-Beemer did a great job making a sub-state match and taking a set from Wahoo, now the Cadets have to build on that and try and take that next step next year, which is reaching the State Tournament.

There's a lot of potential in next year's team, in my opinion, although the Cadets may not be very tall.

West Point-Beemer should be fast, crafty, and skilled next season though.

The Cadets have a lot of work to do between now and August, but with a lot of time and hard work put in this team can get back to the top, in my opinion.

I thought West Point-Beemer improved from last year to this year, and I look for the Cadets to improve even more next year.