Patriot Volleyball Looks for Successful Season
Launch the media gallery 1 playerBy: Korbee Wendt, a senior at Leigh High School
This year’s 2022 volleyball roster is looking solid, and the girls are ready for action.
After a great season last year, qualifying for state, the girls have wasted no time making a name for themselves this year too.
They came off of a great summer by finishing in fourth place at the Nebraska Top 10 Tournament in Kearney Class C-2 in July. The top 10 teams in each class from the previous season are invited to play in this tournament.
They are looking to capitalize on their summer success this season. This year’s team is smaller than in seasons, with just 20 girls, but they are definitely not lacking depth.
The team is made up of one senior: Korbee Wendt.
There are four juniors: Tanyn Larson, Gracie Eisenmann, Chloe Hanel, and Alyssa Gurnsey.
The nine sophmores include Izzy Hollatz, Brynn Settje, Baylee Settje, Brianne Kuhr, Kammy Held, Keeley Campbell, Rylee Balzer, Makenna Hake, and Cadence Indra.
Rounding out the team are six freshmen: Nevaeh Zulkoski, Ava Kasik, Karly Wendt, Elizabeth Hoffman, Willow Fernau, and Kendall Schneider.
This year’s coaching staff consists of head coach, Becky Schneider, and assistant coaches, Jennifer Remmereid, Becca Hiatt, and Allison Schroeder.
The Patriot Volleyball Gatorade Scrimmage was held on Tuesday, August 16th in Clarkson. The teams were evenly split, and it was great competition and fun to watch.
The annual NSAA Jamboree triangular was held in Pierce. The triangular was a practice game and does not count toward any teams’ season record. Only two sets are played in each match regardless of the outcome.
The Patriots played Lakeview first and split sets with them and then turned around and beat Pierce both sets. These were both high-energy matches with a big and loud crowd.
“We thought the Jamboree matches went really well!” Head Coach Schneider said. “We did have one set where we dug ourselves a hole, but found a way to keep plugging away and hold Lakeview to four set points, which was good to see! We played to win even with that deficit. The other sets we were able to control the ball a little bit better, recover from errors quicker and even make adjustments! There were some really great rallies and scrappy plays! We are definitely excited to keep building on our progress as we enter the beginning of our season! It’s only going to get better!” said Coach Becky Schneider.
Assistant Coach Jennifer Remmereid likes where the team is headed as well.
“The Jamboree games were very competitive, and it was good to see all of our players step up to the challenge. It’s exciting to see us play at a high level this early in the season. The players are working hard, focused, and value their teammates and those are key ingredients to a successful season,” Remmereid said.
Returning letter-winner Gracie Eisenmann said, “The Jamboree games went really well and there were a lot of great things that happened along with some things we need to work on. I’m excited for what this season holds this year.”
The first official Patriot volleyball game will be held on Saturday, August 27th at the Bill Marshall Invite in Grand Island at 10:00 a.m. against Aurora and at 12:30 p.m. against Milford.