Volleyball – Page 3 – North Platte Post Archive

NPCC Lady Knights Volleyball Signs Palmer

Posted on January 12, 2015

The North Platte Community College Women’s Volleyball team recently signed Josie Palmer from Brady, Nebraska for the upcoming 2015 season.

Palmer is new head coach Alexa Hopping’s first recruit. She is a 6’0 Middle Hitter from Brady.

The Brady High School Eagles were 21-8 on the season and qualified for the state volleyball tournament.

In the state tournament game against Ansley-Litchfield, Palmer had six kills, two blocks, two service aces, and one set assist.

For her career, Palmer had 263 kills, 55 blocks, 24 service aces, and 173 digs.

Her senior year, Palmer was Honorable Mention to the 2014 Associated Press D-1All-State Volleyball Team. Palmer was also named to the D-1 Third Team All-State team by Nebraska Prep Volleyball.

“I am excited for her height and experience,” Hopping said. “She started all four years of high school on a competitive high school team and will be an impact player for us.”

Kennedy Selected to All-Nebraska Team

Posted on January 5, 2015

North Platte Community College Lady Knight volleyball player Samantha Kennedy was recently named to the All-Nebraska Junior College volleyball first team presented by the Omaha World Herald. This is the second year that Kennedy was selected.

Kennedy led the Lady Knights in kills with 442 kills and a kill efficiency of 0.306. The 442 kills in a season is tied for 6^th place in the history of the Lady Knights volleyball program. The 0.306 kill efficiency also places her 6^th in the kill efficiency category.

Kennedy, a Sutherland, Nebraska native, finished her career with the Lady Knights with 828 kills which places her in 5^th place in school history and a 0.298 kill efficiency which is 4^th best in school history.

Former Lady Knights volleyball coach Sally Thalken said, “Sam is very deserving to be on this team. She led our team in many categories and was much of the time our ‘go to person.’”

Other Lady Knights named honorable mention to the All-Nebraska team were sophomores Joli Hopping, Samantha Byrn, and Erika Goodwin. Freshman Valerie Most also was named Honorable mention.

The All – Nebraska team is selected from six junior colleges in the state of Nebraska and is picked by balloting of the coaches.

Hopping Named New NPCC Volleyball Coach

Posted on December 22, 2014

Kevin O’Connor, North Platte Community College Men’s Head Basketball Coach and Athletic Director has announced the hiring of Alexa Hopping, as the new Head Women’s Volleyball Coach.

Hopping replaces Sally Thalken, who retired following the season after 34 years of coaching; and will take over duties immediately.

Hopping played volleyball for the Lady Knights during the 2008 and 2009 seasons. During the 2009 season Hopping was named to the Nebraska Community College Athletic Association All-Conference team, as well as the National Junior College Athletic Association All Region IX team.

During the 2013 and 2014 seasons, Hopping served as the assistant coach for the Lady Knights Volleyball team.
Further details may be released closer to the 2015 Fall Volleyball season.

Penn State Repeats as Women’s Volleyball Champs

Posted on December 20, 2014December 21, 2014

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Megan Courtney and Aiyana Whitney each had 11 kills, and Penn State defeated Brigham Young 25-21, 26-24, 25-14 Saturday to win their second consecutive NCAA women’s volleyball championship.

Micha Hancock had 36 assists and five digs for the Nittany Lions. The senior from nearby Edmond won in front of family and friends in her final college match. Her expert setting helped the Nittany Lions neutralize the nation’s No. 1 blocking team.

Penn State (36-3) won its sixth title in eight years and No. 7 overall to break a tie with Stanford for the most overall titles.

Jennifer Hamson had 14 kills and Alexa Gray added nine for BYU, which had won 12 straight matches. The Cougars (30-5) were trying to become the first unseeded team to win a national championship.

Rolfzen Leads Three Huskers With All-America Honors

Posted on December 17, 2014

Sophomore outside hitter Kadie Rolfzen was named a third-team AVCA All-American for the second straight season, and Kelsey Fien and Mary Pollmiller earned honorable mention on Wednesday.

Rolfzen earned Nebraska’s nation-leading 77th AVCA All-America certificate and is the 27th Husker to earn multiple honors in her career. She led Nebraska in kills with 405 (3.55 per set) and posted a double-double in all four NCAA Tournament matches to help lift the Huskers to the Elite Eight for the third straight season. Rolfzen finished second on the team in digs with 316 (2.77 per set), establishing herself as one of the top all-around players in the nation, region and Big Ten for the second straight season.

Fien’s honorable mention selection was the first of her career. The junior outside hitter from Bakersfield, Calif., was second on the team in kills with 286 (3.21 per set) and was particularly strong in conference play, posting 3.39 kills per set while hitting .303, the best mark by an NU player and third among all B1G outside hitters. Fien also earned All-Big Ten and All-North Region honors for the first time in her career this season.

Pollmiller, a senior setter and captain from Littleton, Colo., received AVCA All-America honorable mention for the third time in her career and second time at Nebraska. The Littleton, Colo., native guided the Huskers to the Elite Eight with 1,211 assists this season (10.26 per set). She proved herself to be one of the biggest threats offensively and defensively among Big Ten setters, posting 1.04 kills per set while attacking at a .321 clip, and adding 0.70 blocks per set with a total of 83 on the season. She finished her career with 5,230 career assists, which ranks fourth among current Division I setters.

Future Husker Foecke Named Gatorade National Player of the Year

Posted on December 16, 2014

Mikaela Foecke (left) receives the Gatorade VB POY trophy from April Ross (right).

Fort Madison, Iowa – In its 30th year of honoring the nation’s best high school athletes, The Gatorade Company, in collaboration with USA TODAY High School Sports, today announced Husker signee Mikaela Foecke of Holy Trinity Catholic High School (Fort Madison, Iowa) as its 2014-15 Gatorade National Volleyball Player of the Year. Foecke was surprised with the news at school by silver medalist April Ross, who earned Gatorade National Volleyball Player of the Year honors in 1999-00.

The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field, distinguishes Foecke as the nation’s best high school volleyball player. A national advisory panel comprised of sport-specific experts and sports journalists helped select Foecke from more than 430,000 high school volleyball players nationwide. Foecke is now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade Female High School Athlete of the Year award, to be presented at a special ceremony prior to The ESPY Awards in July.

The 6-foot-3 senior middle blocker led the Crusaders to a 48-4 record and the Class 1A state championship this past season. The state’s returning Gatorade Volleyball Player of the Year, Foecke recorded 812 kills, 270 digs, 170 service aces and 95 blocks. A member of the American Family Insurance All-USA Preseason Volleyball First Team, she was also the Iowa Girls Coaches Association co-Player of the Year, captain of the Class 1A All-State Tournament Team and was selected for the Iowa Girls Coaches Association and the Des Moines Register Elite All-State teams. A 2014-15 Under Armour First Team All-America honoree, Foecke started for the U.S. Women’s Junior National Team that won a gold medal at the U-20 NORCECA Continental Championships this past July, and finished her prep career with a state-record 2,813 kills.

Foecke has maintained a 4.10 GPA in the classroom. A member of the student council and an officer in the local 4-H club, she has volunteered on behalf of area food drives, the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, youth volleyball programs, city clean-up initiatives and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.

“In a state currently top heavy with elite volleyball talent, Foecke has been without peer for at least the past two years,” said John Tawa, Publisher of PrepVolleyball.com. “Though she plays ‘small-school ball,’ she’s a big-time performer, possessing the arm swing and power to dominate anywhere along the net, as well as the agility of a libero in a 6-3 body. Foecke can score against anyone at any time and could be a [collegiate] All-America performer early.”

Foecke will be a freshman for the Huskers next fall.

“Without question, Mikaela is deserving of recognition as the nation’s best high school volleyball player based on her statistics on the field and the impact her accomplishments have had on Holy Trinity Catholic’s success,” said Gatorade Vice President, Brand Marketing Morgan Flatley. “But she is also a shining example to peers and aspiring young athletes of what a leader and a student-athlete should be. She represents everything we hope for in a Gatorade Player of the Year recipient.”

For more information on the Gatorade Player of the Year program, including nomination information, a complete list of former winners, and future announcement dates, visit the Gatorade Player of the Year Web site at http://www.gatorade.com/poy, on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/GatoradePOY or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Gatorade.

NP’s Nicholson Headlines Local Athletes on the Nebraska AP All-State Volleyball Team

Posted on December 16, 2014

Here are the 2014 Associated Press All-State Volleyball Teams as voted on by sports writers and sportscasters throughout the state.

CLASS A

First team

Position_Name, School, Height, Grade

Hitter_Sarah Allick, Lincoln North Star, 6-1, Jr.

Hitter_Raegan LeGrand, Papillion-La Vista South, 5-11, Jr.

Hitter_Olivia Nicholson, North Platte, 6-0, Jr.

Hitter_Priscilla O’Dowd, Papillion-La Vista, 6-1, Sr.

Hitter_Meagen Roth, Lincoln Southeast, 6-0, Sr.

Setter_Jessica Peters, Papillion-La Vista, 5-10, Sr.

Libero_Brittany Witt, Omaha Marian, 5-7, Jr.

Second team

Hitter_Allie Davis, Lincoln Southwest, 6-2, Jr.

Hitter_Elizabeth Loschen, Omaha Marian, 6-1, Jr.

Hitter_Kelsey O’Connell, Omaha Marian, 6-2, Sr.

Hitter_Katie Stephens, Papillion-La Vista, 5-9, Jr.

Hitter_Sophia Terwilleger, Omaha Marian, 5-9, Jr.

Setter_Kylee Wurster, Lincoln Southeast, 5-8, Sr.

Libero_Taylor Els, Lincoln Southwest, 5-7, Jr.

Honorable Mention

Kaylie Dengel, Christina Jerauld, Sydney Slie, Bellevue East; Kate Imig, Sage Meyer, Bellevue West; Alyssa Thege, Columbus; Hayli Dorfmeyer, Gessica Gdowski, Molly Schiermeyer, Fremont; Savana Peterson, Sierra Peterson, Mackenzie Puckett, Grand Island; Maggie McGowan, Kearney; Lexie Duch, Anna Holmquist, Taylor Rising, Kylie Roe, Lincoln East; Jaida Jackson, Lincoln High; Kailee Brown, Katie Hitz, Lincoln North Star; Kelli Holloway, Lincoln Northeast; LTyra Douglas, Emma McKillip, Carley Sheppard, Lincoln Southeast; Madison Egger, Lincoln Southwest; Libby Koukol, Millard North; Jamie Hauptman, Lauryn Hilger, Millard South; Cassidy Loberg, Kira Shapiro, Tiffany Wentworth, Sydney Yong, Millard West; Jaycee Bradley, Layne Mitchell, Taylor Thompson, Norfolk; Kaitlynn Harvey, Jessy Hunt, Allison Kuenle, North Platte; Kianna Ibis, Omaha Benson; Alex Gill, Omaha Burke; Claire Bexten, Kia Scott, Omaha Central; Andie Hanus, Maren McGuire, Hannah Mueller, Omaha Marian; Ciera Clark, Stephanie Hansen, Omaha North; Jaden Wrightsell, Omaha Northwest; Lauren Salerno, Omaha Westside; Steph Gatson, Ellie McDonnell, Elena Melendez, Papillion-La Vista; Taylor Crandall, Taliyah Flores, Erin Warren, Papillion-La Vista South; Victoria Harnett, South Sioux City.

CLASS B

First team

Position_Name, School, Height, Grade

Hitter_Maddy Bruder, Norris, 5-11, Sr.

Hitter_Kelsey Green, Elkhorn South, 6-1, Jr.

Hitter_Kylie Hohlen, Norris, 5-10, Sr.

Hitter_Claire Knust, Omaha Skutt Catholic, 6-0, Sr.

Hitter_Halie McArdle, Gretna, 5-9, Jr.

Setter_Allison Penner, Aurora, 5-11, Sr.

Libero_Brooke Swain, Omaha Skutt Catholic, 5-8, Jr.

Second team

Hitter_Kiley Hixson, Aurora, 6-0, Jr.

Hitter_Nicole Skovsende, Elkhorn, 5-8, Jr.

Hitter_Kaitlin VanLoon, Lincoln Pius X, 5-11, Sr.

Hitter_Alyssa Woodman, Omaha Skutt Catholic, 5-11, Jr.

Hitter/Libero_Amanda Young, Gretna, 5-8, Jr.

Setter_Sara Boothe, Lincoln Pius X, 5-7, Sr.

Setter_Ashley Knight, Elkhorn South, 5-9, Sr.

Honorable mention

Kennedy Cyza, Precious Williams, Alliance; Logan Ohlson, Aurora; Kim Higgins, Hannah Sexton, Beatrice; Jessa Johnston, Bennington; Callie Alberico, Blair; Libby Anthony, Taylor Doremus, Crete; Dani Carlson, Lauren Edet, Allie Hotovy, Grace Nelson, Elkhorn; Sarah Swanson, Jaden Thiem, Elkhorn South; Leah Newman, Kaylee Spreier, Gering; Hanna Ehmke, Gretna; Lakeshia Ellwanger, Taylor Hinrichs, Hastings; Ellie Brown, Jenna Gillespie, Holdrege; Maddie Grendahl, Claire McDermott, Lincoln Pius X; Megan Aultz, Nebraska City; Ally Catt, Jordyn Clauss, Payton Ruhl, Norris; Kayla Bachle, Allie Beckmann, Audra Cooksley, Erin Schleicher, Northwest; Madison Briggs, Emily Foje, Omaha Duchesne Academy; Holly McGregor, Lauren Parr, Omaha Gross Catholic; Allie Bray, Maggie Timmerman, Omaha Mercy; Maddie Dotzler, Emma Heldt, Omaha Roncalli Catholic; Brooke Heyne, Monica Hruby, McKenna Kirkpatrick, Allison Schomers, Omaha Skutt Catholic; Colby Duvel, Nicki Stolzer, Platteview; Shayla Scanlan, Plattsmouth; Kyra Willats, Scottsbluff; Maddi Porter, Sidney; Brianna Boender, Ashley Neujahr, Waverly; Dacia Stuhr, York.

CLASS C1

First team

Position_Name, School, Height, Grade

Hitter_Emma Benton, Grand Island Central Catholic, 5-10, Sr.

Hitter_Maeghan Pieper, Columbus Scotus, 5-11, Jr.

Hitter_Tiani Reeves, Gothenburg, 6-1, Sr.

Hitter_Kendall Schroer, Ogallala, 6-0, Sr.

Hitter_Megan Wickey, Omaha Concordia, 6-2, Sr.

Setter_Ali Rowse, Minden, 5-6, Sr.

Libero_Morgan Stute, Kearney Catholic, 5-5, Sr.

Second team

Hitter_Olivia Schneider, Arlington, 5-8, Sr.

Hitter_Kelsey Shoemaker, Stanton, 5-11, Sr.

Hitter_Anna Squiers, Kearney Catholic, 5-11, So.

Hitter_Averey Yaksich, Omaha Concordia, 6-0, So.

Hitter_Gabby Shannon, Wahoo, 5-11, Sr.

Setter_Allie Prososki, Kearney Catholic, 5-6, Sr.

Libero_Abby Humlicek, Columbus Lakeview, 5-6, Sr.

Honorable mention

Hannah Fleischer, Emalie Krabel, Brittani Wiseman, Adams Central; Ellie Carr, Ainsworth; Savanah Reed, Arlington; Jessica Klaudt, Kelsey Marr, Ashland-Greenwood; Taylor Petersen, Rachel Walker, Auburn; Kelly Dailey, Maggie Dailey, Aspen Jansa, Caitlin Makovicka, Haley Thiele, Hannah Thiele, Bishop Neumann; Dana Pelster, Boone Central/Newman Grove; Krisha Scott, Broken Bow; Cacey Vavra, Centennial; Chandler Hagemann, Jadyn McCartney, Kiana Wright, Chadron; MaKenna Ketter, Paige Spady, Chase County; Payton Rosendahl, Kayla Schrunk, Columbus Lakeview; Courtney Labenz, Kim Stutzman, Morgan Thorson, Columbus Scotus; Michaela Snyder, Conestoga; Emma Coenen, Madie Egbarts, Douglas County West; Shelby Pollman, Fairbury; Alyssa Frederick, Maygan Ramsey, Baylee Vrtiska, Falls City; Grace Whitlow, Fort Calhoun; Carlee Hinn, Denie Jacobson, Gordon-Rushville; Sadie Goering, Laura Lowry, Lauren Webb, Gordon-Rushville; Kori Speckmann, Johnson County Central; Whitney Colling, Paige Hervert, Callie Opbroek, Kearney Catholic; D’Anna Attanasio, Ashlyn Power, Lincoln Christian; Julia Pomerenke, Lincoln Lutheran; Maggie Hiatt, Louisville; Katelyn Bartak, Madison; Hayley Densberger, Jaela Zimmerman, Malcolm; Emily Burton, Jensyn Meyer, Milford; Rebecca Stewart, Addison Woodward, Minden; Jori Peters, McKenna Zulkoski, Mitchell; Bailey Ehlers, Norfolk Catholic; Sammy Dirkschneider, Brooke Fredrickson, Kristin Lux, North Bend Central; Jenna Paloucek, Shelby Welsh, Ogallala; Tori Jones, Jenna Spellerberg, Omaha Concordia; Morgan Alexander, Andrea Carson, Kenzie Drudik, Jordan Kuck, Ord; Jaci Brahmer, Shelby Bretschneider, Sydney Silhacek, Pierce; Maddie Fousek, Karrie Sestak, Kylie Sestak, St. Paul; Rachel Brandl, Tabitha Kander, Stanton; Sydney Lintner, Syracuse; Madison Kelber, Valentine; Bailey Brigham, Lauren Crockett, Taylor Homes, Katie Reeves, Kinsley Tingelhoff, Wahoo; Madison Frevert, Lexi Sokol, Wayne; Amanda Hansen, West Point-Beemer; Bailey Batenhorst, Sydney Bradfield, Jenni Lueshen, Wisner-Pilger; Kaitlyn Herman, Matty Luehr, Wood River.

CLASS C2

First team

Position_Name, School, Height, Grade

Hitter_Hanna Justesen, Elmwood-Murdock, 5-9, Sr.

Hitter_Carley Remmers, Freeman, 6-1, Sr.

Hitter_Katie Steuter, Guardian Angels Central Catholic, 5-8, Jr.

Hitter_Maria Wortmann, Crofton, 5-11, Sr.

Setter_Riley Dorn, Freeman, 5-9, Sr.

Setter_Clare Hamburger, Hastings St. Cecilia, 5-9, Sr.

Libero_Shandra Farmer, Hastings St. Cecilia, 5-3, Jr.

Second team

Hitter_Tarrin Beller, Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family, 6-0, Jr.

Hitter_Marissa Haynes, Freeman, 5-11, Sr.

Hitter_Lauren Hinrichs, Doniphan-Trumbull, 6-1, Jr.

Hitter_Maddie Knobbe, Guardian Angels Central Catholic, 6-1, So.

Hitter_Laura McInturf, Southern Valley, 5-11, Sr.

Setter_Jamie Petz, Guardian Angels Central Catholic, 5-5, Sr.

Libero_Brooke Hays, Southern Valley, 5-6, Sr.

Honorable mention

Jenna Eller, Kinsey Kozisek, Allison Pokorny, Aquinas Catholic; Alexis Villwok, Archbishop Bergan; Emily Christensen, Battle Creek; McKenna McClintic, Andi Plock, Burwell; Megan Dudden, AdreAnna Ernest, Bridgeport; Sloan Johnson, Marlana Kent, MiKayla Kent, Cambridge; Casey Krolikowski, Madesin Myers, Mady Roth, Centura; Maddie Cerv, Clarkson-Leigh; Allison Ahrens, Monica Ahrens, Breanna Allen, Kelsey Sanger, Crofton; Kelsey Anderson, Cross County; Devon Dvorak, Payton Robley, East Butler; Jenna Parks, Liz Selting, Baylee Wemhoff, Elgin Public/Pope John; Brenna Backemeyer, Abby Meyer, Sheridan Spohr, Elmwood-Murdock; Tracey Maloley, Fillmore Central; Emily Lenners, Taylor Sugden, Freeman; Jenny Knobbe, Guardian Angels Central Catholic; Emily Feilmeier, Hartington Cedar Catholic; Lil Sheehy, Josie Prevette, Hastings St. Cecilia; Natalie Gasseling, Brooke Turek, Hemingford; Brooke Munsen, Tessa Otzel, Hershey; Daeja Ford, Kourtney Harris, Homer; Bailey Kuhlmann, Ashton Nanninga, Humboldt-Table Rock-Steinauer; Dinah Bialas, Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family; Madison Biesecker, Danika Daum, Madie Snyder, Kimball; Amber Mazankowski, Cassidy Ostrand, Claire Ostrand, Nebraska Christian; Olivia Bures, Brynn Charling, Oakland-Craig; Katie Zheng, Omaha Brownell-Talbot; Mariah Calfee, Klaire Phillips, Palmyra; Claire Maaliao, Perkins County; Krista Johnson, Rylee Morris, Hope Svoboda, Sandy Creek; Emmie Noyd, Shelby-Rising City; Savana Quinn, Southern Valley; Morgan Frahm, Jaysa Hoins, Leah Meyer, Superior; Megan Drudik, McKenna Griess, Sydney Griess, Nicole Keenan, Kailyn Wiseman, Sutton; Savannah Nelson, Emily Puls, McKenize Rusk, Wakefield; Kara Aronson, Marylyn Mozena, Weeping Water; Madison Egr, Bailey Josoff, Brooke Kelly, Yutan.

CLASS D1

First team

Position_Name, School, Height, Grade

Hitter_Kylie Belt, Emerson-Hubbard, 6-1, Jr.

Hitter_Madison Jurgens, Diller-Odell, 5-9, So.

Hitter_Hannah Kring, Axtell, 5-10, Sr.

Hitter_Krissy Krotter, St. Mary’s, 5-8, Sr.

Hitter_Lindsy Siegel, Ansley-Litchfield, 5-9,Sr.

Setter_Bridget Schneider, St. Mary’s, 5-6, Sr.

Libero_Mackenzie Wecker, St. Mary’s, 5-5, Sr.

Second team

Hitter_Josie Cox, Maxwell, 6-2, Jr.

Hitter_Sydney Hupp, St. Mary’s, 6-0, Jr.

Hitter_Jenna Habegger, Pawnee City, 6-2, Sr.

Hitter_Catherine Mick, BDS, 5-9, Jr.

Hitter_Shawna Paitz, Ansley-Litchfield, 5-7, Sr.

Setter_Tara Callahan, Brady, 6-1, So.

Libero_Kortney Allen, Blue Hill, 5-4, Sr.

Honorable mention

Rachel Kneifl, Courtney Martinsen, Gabby Sullivan, Allen; Hanna Lane, Nicole Wardyn, Ansley-Litchfield; Kaylea Watson, Arapahoe; Sophie Mellema, Kit Wells, Axtell; Jaycie Hoins, Madison Yantzie, BDS; Mackenzie Willicott, Blue Hill; Amber Bendig, Drew Purviance, Boyd County; Josie Palmer, Brady; Shelby Lineberry, Maddy Roumph, Mandi Stansberry, Cedar Bluffs; Jayden Erickson, Central Valley; Mallory Cooper, Clearwater-Orchard; Jill Behrends, Madison Blackwelder, Creek Valley; Rebecca Eggerling, Creighton; Lauren Schmidt, Deshler; Madison Hajek, Katie Schultis, Josie Vitosh, Diller-Odell; Shelby Ferguson, Elm Creek; Payton Blanke, Abby Drieling, Emerson-Hubbard; Sam Due, Madison Johnson, Friend; Macy Peregrine, Halle Plumbtree, Fullerton; Rebekah Larson, Eve Vanderneck, Heartland; Sam Brester, Kalli Brester, Faith Molacek, Howells-Dodge; Kaili Hackerott, Jacey Olmer, Humphrey St. Francis; Ellie Arduser, Audra Corbit, Laurel-Concord/Coleridge; Laura Box, Karley Kreifels, Lourdes Central Catholic; Tracy Blake, Bailee Keller, Maxwell; Haley Knoecky, Margaret Johnson, Mead; Grayce Jorgensen, Medicine Valley; Kaylyn Beiermann, Nebraska Lutheran; Hallie Ballinger, Shelby Roth, Pender; Regyn Hicks, Lanie Thies, Potter-Dix; Shelby Hundley, Pawnee City; Katelyn Backhaus, Elle Bermel, Haley Schnoor, Randolph; Jerica Baumert, Lindsey Wisnieski, Scribner-Snyder; Shayla Dockweiler, South Loup; Emily Pongratz, Riley Sibbel, St. Mary’s; Jackie Lewis, Twin Loup.

CLASS D2

First team

Position_Name, School, Height, Grade

Hitter_Maggie Goltz, Falls City Sacred Heart, 6-1, Jr.

Hitter_Blair Hofstetter, Meridian, 5-10, Sr.

Hitter_Amber Pribyl, Exeter-Milligan, 5-10, Sr.

Hitter_Monique Schafer, Stuart, 5-8, Jr.

Hitter_Chainey Tompkin, Giltner, 6-0, Jr.

Setter_Jaclyn Happold, Giltner, 5-9, Sr.

Libero_Madison Omel, Giltner, 5-5, Sr.

Second team

Hitter_Kristine Edgren, Bertrand, 5-6, So.

Hitter_Harlee Fischer, Stuart, 5-7, So.

Hitter_Kelsey Higgins, Sandhills-Thedford, 5-10, Sr.

Hitter_Courtni Kunz, Stuart, 5-10, Sr.

Hitter_Madison Van Housen, Hampton, 5-10, So.

Setter_Sydney Parr, Silver Lake, 5-5, Jr.

Libero_Harlie Himmelberg, Lawrence-Nelson, 5-3, Jr.

Honorable mention

Haley Hays, Alma; Tami Myers, Anselmo-Merna; Tess Nottlemann, Jerrica Tietz, Bancroft-Rosalie; Jadyn High, Haley Dannehl, Mollie Kaps, Bertrand; Kaitlin Rudloff, Crawford; Anna Eggers, Elwood; Jessica Deterding, Eustis-Farnam; Sydney Hall, Marissa Howard, Hailey Luzum, Exeter-Milligan; Abby Magdanz, Elizabeth Magdanz, Lauren Parrish, Falls City Sacred Heart; Shelby Hinrichs, Kelbie Lyon, Giltner; Tristin Mason, Jaime Troester, Hampton; Colby Cox, Whitney Rosno, Hayes Center; Bethany Hollman, Heartland Lutheran; Brandy Schaack, Hyannis; Kendra Alberts, Johnson-Brock; Harlie Himmelberg, Carlie Mazour, Kelsey Menke, Lawrence-Nelson; Brooke Wehrbein, Lewiston; Kaitlyn Berner, Shaela Jenkins, Diedra Waite, Leyton; Colette Thorell, Loomis; Darcey Simonsen, Lyons-Decatur-Northeast; Erin Johnson, Allison Klipp, Rylee Pieper, Meridian; Ally Ginkens, Jessica Lovitt, Mullen; Lauren White, Parkview Christian; Cora Brott, Emma Holz, Paxton; Kelsey Higgins, Sandhills-Thedford; Abby Ehrman, Josie Parr, Sydney Parr, Silver Lake; Erin Bloom, Megan Carraher, Ashley Glesinger, Spalding Academy; Trisha Fox, Brittany Hanzlik, Stuart; Breanna James, Sumner-Eddyville-Miller; Christina Daniels, Wallace; Brianna Einspahr, Sydney Harchelroad, Lesley Towery, Wauneta-Palisade; Kristi Bruening, Jenna Heine, Wynot.

Huskers’ Season Comes to an End in Elite Eight

Posted on December 14, 2014December 14, 2014

SEATTLE, Wash. – The 14th-seeded Nebraska volleyball team’s run through the NCAA Tournament came to an end late Saturday night in Alaska Airlines Arena, as the Huskers fell to upset-minded BYU 3-0 (21-25, 20-25, 21-25) in the Seattle Regional Final.

The Huskers finished the season 23-10 and came up one match shy of the NCAA Semifinals for the third straight season. Nebraska has been in four regional finals since its last NCAA Semifinals appearance in 2008 but has been unable to advance each time.

After upsetting No. 3 Washington on Friday to snap the Huskies’ 34-match home win streak, the Huskers couldn’t muster the same performanceon Saturday to top the Cougars.

BYU (29-4) entered the NCAA Tournament ranked 12th in the nation but was unseeded. The Cougars reeled off a second-round win over No. 11 Arizona and a Sweet 16 win over No. 6 Florida State on Friday before knocking off the Huskers on Saturday. BYU will take on No. 2 Texas in one NCAA Semifinal in Oklahoma City, Okla. next Thursday. The other semifinal pits top seed Stanford against fifth-seed Penn State.

Amber Rolfzen led the Huskers with 11 kills. Kadie Rolfzen had 10 kills and 15 digs for her fourth double-double of the NCAA Tournament. Kelsey Fien added nine kills. Senior setter Mary Pollmiller capped her Husker career with 38 assists for a career total of 5,230, which ranks fourth among current DI setters. Justine Wong-Orantes had 22 digs in a solid defensive effort.

The Husker game plan of limiting BYU’s 6-7 hitter Jennifer Hamson worked. After posting 30 kills Friday vs. Florida State, Hamson was held to nine kills and .132 hitting by the Huskers. But the rest of her teammates stepped up, led by Alexa Gray’s 11 kills and .310 hitting. Tambre Nobles had 10 kills, and Amy Boswell added eight while hitting .438.

BYU showed why its the top blocking team in the nation, tallying 12 blocks to eight for the Huskers. NU had a 70-57 advantage in digs but committed four service errors and four reception errors to allow the Cougars to gain an edge.

Nebraska opened up an 11-9 lead early on in set one, but the Cougars used a 3-0 spurt to take a 12-11 lead. The teams engaged in a sideout battle before BYU took a 20-18 lead after Hamson’s first kill and a Husker hit off the antenna. After a Husker timeout, BYU’s Ciara Parker served an ace to make it 21-18 and Hamson killed again for a 22-18 lead, causing another Husker timeout. Kadie and Amber Rolfzen struck for back-to-back kills to cut it to 22-20 before BYU took a timeout. The Huskers then committed a service error and a reception error to fall down 24-20. The Cougars ended it at 25-21 on their fifth block of the set. BYU outhit NU .333 to .214.

Nebraska went up 5-3 in the second set on stuffs from Hall and Kadie Rolfzen and then Meghan Haggerty and Amber Rolfzen. But BYU went on a 5-0 run to take an 8-5 lead. Alohi Robins-Hardy started it with a set kill and a joust win. Two Husker attacking errors and a Boswell kill gave the Cougars the three-point edge. A Cecilia Hall kill and Pollmiller ace trimmed the deficit to 10-9. NU then fell behind 14-10 before stringing together a 4-0 run by picking up its defense. Haggerty and Kadie Rolfzen combined for a block to even the set after Wong-Orantes and Annika Albrecht produced key digs. The Huskers took a 17-16 lead after BYU hit wide. But the Huskers broke down defensively, committing passing and reception errors to help BYU to a 22-18 lead. Hamson had two kills down the stretch to help BYU finish the 25-20 win.

Melanie Keil provided a spark off the bench in set three with two kills to tie it 8-8 before Hall and Fien combined for a block for a 9-8 Husker lead. The Huskers led 11-10, but BYU rallied for a 14-11 lead a kill by Hamson and kill and block by Boswell. The Cougars began to pull away, going up 19-14 on a Husker service error, attack error and Hamson kill. The Huskers continued to fight, as a Fien kill and Pollmiller ace cut it to 20-17 and forced a BYU timeout. NU thought it had cut the lead to one when Hamson’s blast went long, but it was ruled to have tipped off a Husker’s fingers and instead made the score 21-18. The Cougars went up 23-19 after the Huskers hit long and they ended the sweep with a 25-21 win.

All-Tournament Team
Nicole Walch, Florida State
Krista Vansant, Washington
Kadie Rolfzen, Nebraska
Mary Pollmiller, Nebraska
Amy Boswell, BYU
Alexa Gray, BYU
Jennifer Hamson, BYU (Most Outstanding Player)

Huskers and Huskies Renew NCAA Tourney Rivalry

Posted on December 11, 2014

The 14th-seeded Nebraska volleyball team will face No. 3 seed Washington on Friday at 8:30 p.m. (CT) in the Seattle Regional Semifinal at Alaska Airlines Arena.

The match will be televised on ESPNU. It is the first time ESPNU has aired a regional semifinal. The rest of the Sweet 16 matches will be streamed at ESPN3.com. The first match, BYU vs. No. 6 seed Florida State, will begin at 6 p.m. (CT). Nebraska-Washington will begin at either 8:30 p.m. or 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first match, whichever is later.

Friday’s winners will meet in the regional final on Saturday at 10:30 p.m. (CT) on ESPNU. The Huskers played Washington in the Seattle Regional in both 2010 and 2008. The teams will now have met every other NCAA Tournament since 2008.

Thalken Remembered by Former Players

Posted on December 10, 2014

Ryan Purdy, president of Mid-Plains Community College, presents Thalken with a plaque for her service to NPCC. It was part of a retirement celebration for Thalken at the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium Tuesday evening.

It was an emotional night for Sally Thalken.

“I can’t believe this,” Thalken said looking around at the people crammed into the Knights VIP room. “I wasn’t prepared for all this, but isn’t it fun?”

Thalken, who retired Nov. 30 after a 34-year career as head volleyball coach at North Platte Community College, was honored Tuesday night during halftime of the NPCC Knights men’s basketball game.

Ryan Purdy, president of Mid-Plains Community College, presented Thalken with a plaque for her service to NPCC, and Dwight Livingston, mayor, officially proclaimed Dec. 9 as “Sally Thalken Day” in North Platte.

Jody Tomanek, MPCC’s area vice-president of academic affairs, read a recognition letter sent to Thalken on behalf of the National Junior College Athletic Association.

Members of the first team Thalken led to nationals announced they would purchase two bleacher seats in the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium’s “Knight’s Court” and name them after Thalken’s parents. The purchase is part of a campaign to replace the bleachers.

Sally Thalken waves to the crowd gathered in the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium Tuesday night. Her retirement celebration was attended by her family, friends and former players.

Although humbled and grateful for the accolades, it was the turnout for the reception that truly touched Thalken’s heart.

More than 100 of her former players attended the event to see old friends, share memories and, most importantly, pay tribute to the woman who will forever be a legend in their eyes.

“I love Sally. She’s a great lady,” said Renee Tatman, of North Platte. “I played basketball for her in 1981, and she looked as young as we did. She will always be ‘Coach’ to me. She taught my son, and he calls her ‘Coach,’ too. That’s just who she is – retiring or not.”

Carmen (Buckbee) Erickson, of North Platte, also played basketball for Thalken in ’81.

“It was an awesome experience,” Erickson said. “Sally wasn’t much older than us, which made her relatable. She was about 27, and we were 19. We all got really close.”

More recent players shared the same sentiment.

Kendra Nollette, of Hastings, played volleyball for Sally during the 2005-06 season as a libero.

“I will always remember pushing boards and conditioning on the sand volleyball court,” said Nollette. “But, my strongest memory will be of the relationships Sally built among the players. We became a family, and now we’re going to each other’s weddings and baby showers.”

Kristin Gewecke, of Kearney, played for Thalken during 2004-05 and was part of a team that qualified for nationals.

“Coach brought so many friends together and had a big role in our lives,” Gewecke said. “I remember the team playing twice at Columbus and hurting my wrist during the first game. Coach didn’t think it was a good idea for me to play the second game. She was always caring and had our best interests in mind.”

Thalken recruited Emily Hudson, formerly of Benkelman and now living in Trenton, after watching her compete at districts.

“I played for NPCC in the fall of 2005 and fall of 2006,” said Hudson. “I had heart surgery my sophomore year, so sat next to [Thalken] on the bench. She said if I wasn’t going to play, I was going to learn to coach. I’m a coach now, and it’s all because of her influence.”

Brenda (Schadegg) Smith, of Sidney, was on Thalken’s volleyball team in ’81.

“I will never get her passion and excitement out of my mind,” said Smith. “She genuinely cared about her players. When we were young and away from home, she was someone we could go to for support. Those are the kind of people you always want to keep in touch with, and we have.”

Dena (Weinman) Mills, of Arnold, played basketball in ’83 and ’84 and also traveled with Thalken’s volleyball team to nationals.

“She was a big influence,” said Mills, of Thalken. “She would drive through my town recruiting and stop to visit. It means a lot that she’s still vested in our lives and wants to know about our kids and grandkids.”

Lauri (Tomas) Blake, was on the same team as Mills. She is now a state district judge in Bonham, Texas. Blake said she owes a big part of her success in the professional world to Thalken.

“She took time to introduce her girls to people who could make a difference in their lives,” Blake said. “If there’s one word to describe her, it’s ‘selfless.’ She worked 24-7 and was concerned about improving us as people – not just as athletes.”

Jacqueline (Mecomber) Yenni, of North Platte, agreed with that statement.

“Sally was and continues to be an inspiration,” Yenni said. “I work as a mental health therapist. I own my own business and am an entrepreneur and a landlord. It all started with someone caring, and that person was Sally.”

Yenni was offered scholarships to play volleyball at NPCC.

“My family didn’t have the money for me to go to school,” said Yenni. “The scholarships got me the education I needed and provided a stepping stone for the rest of my life. Now, I have a master’s degree. The whole NPCC athletic experience wasn’t about what we did – it was about who we became in the process.”

Thalken only retired from coaching. She will continue to teach at the college and will remain area chair of the MPCC mathematics and science division