Round 1 – Johnson-Brock Eagles use small school numbers to create team bonds
TEAM: JOHNSON-BROCK EAGLES CLASS: D1 LOCATION: Southeast Nebraska in Johnson County NSAA TEAM ENROLLMENT (female, grades 9-11): 34 CONFERENCE: Pioneer Conference COACH: Cara Williams Next up in the Hames Regional of the 2020 Nebraska Prep Dig Team Series is a…
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Continue ReadingTEAM: JOHNSON-BROCK EAGLES
CLASS: D1
LOCATION: Southeast Nebraska in Johnson County
NSAA TEAM ENROLLMENT (female, grades 9-11): 34
CONFERENCE: Pioneer Conference
COACH: Cara Williams
Next up in the Hames Regional of the 2020 Nebraska Prep Dig Team Series is a matchup between C1 Wayne Blue Devils and D1 Johnson-Brock Eagles in the first round. To hear more about your favorite team, hop over to our Twitter feed @nebhsvolleyball to vote them to the second round until 9:00 p.m. on Friday, May 22!
A few years ago, Johnson-Brock was on top. Winning Class D1 championships in 2015, 2016, 2017, and a runner up in 2018. Then everything changed, yet it didn’t.
Under first-year coach Cara Williams, the Eagles prevailed in 2019 with a 21-12 record and lost in 5 sets to Hartington Cedar Catholic in district finals.
Coach Williams sums it up best, “The team had to face many changes: a new coach and the loss of players that were big assets to the team. They overcame that, learned their roles as players, and stepped up in their leadership. They continued to grow as players and as a team throughout the season.”
Williams’ previous stints included Lewiston, Beatrice, and playing at Peru State College.
The team graduated a setter, but has the supporting cast back and ready to go. Finding that setter will be key to the Eagles success in the difficult Pioneer Conference that includes Diller-Odell, HTRS, Falls City Sacred Heart, and Lourdes Central Catholic.
Coaches 2020 outlook, “I see the team coming out strong. We have a few main spots to fill but still have some very strong players coming back on the court. As long as we get our connection on the court as a team and play consistent in our skills and eliminate our errors, we will be a strong team.”
Returning Letter Winners:
⇒Emily Wenzl | 2021 | 5’7 OH/MB
Club: Southeast Elite
2019 Stats:
Serving Percentage: 91
Digs/Set, Total: 2.1, 182
Receptions/Set, Total: 1.6, 143
Emily comments on the learning curve through the years, “For most freshmen and underclassmen, it can be scary joining the team and you fear to make mistakes but that was definitely part of the learning process. Knowing that it’s okay to make mistakes and to better yourself from them is so important. I personally haven’t really changed positions much. I’m usually a pin hitter but this last year I played middle for a little while at the beginning of our season.”
⇒Taylor Buchmeier | 2021 | 5’10 MB | UNCOMMITTED AND INTERESTED!
Club: T-10
2019 Awards: All-State Honorable Mention OWH & LJS; Pioneer All-Conference Third Team; Academic All-State
2019 Stats:
Kills/Set, Total, Hitting Percentage: 2.2, 194, .290
Blocks/Set, Total: .7, 64
Taylor on becoming a middle, “During my freshman year I was learning so many new things and was very intimidated by the upperclassman. I started out as an outside, then worked on setting a little bit, and then I finally was put as a middle blocker.”
⇒Kendra Shreves | 2021 | 5’4 DS/RS
Kendra with one of the best and most creative team slogans, “Quaranteam– because even during quarantine our team has stuck together and made each other stronger.”
⇒Jordan Koehler | 2021 | 5’8 OH
2019 Awards: Pioneer Conference Honorable Mention
2019 Stats:
Serving Percentage: 94.4
Digs/Set, Total: 3.5, 305
Jordan looks to play basketball in college, but enjoys the small school team atmosphere, “Our team is very very quiet at times but when you get to know us we don’t stop talking. We have many personalities on the team and it’s great to get to know everyone, especially with a small school. I love being part of a team, they are all like my sister and I wouldn’t change it for the world!”
⇒
Jadyn Hahn
Jadyn
Hahn
5'10" | OH
Johnson-Brock | 2022
State
NE
| 2022 | 5’11 OH
HUDL Highlights
2019 Awards: All-State Honorable Mention OWH & LJS; Pioneer All-Conference First Team; Honorable Mention Mudecas
2019 Stats:
Kills/Set, Total, Hitting Percentage: 4.0, 345, .287
Digs/Set, Total: 4.3, 376
Receptions/Set, Total: 3.4, 297
Jadyn on her more memorable volleyball moment, “Making it to state my freshman year. Being able to play in that atmosphere was amazing.”
⇒Audrey Sandfort | 2022 | 5’4 L | UNCOMMITTED AND INTERESTED!
HUDL Highlights
Club: T-10
2019 Awards: All-State Honorable Mention OWH & LHS; Pioneer All-Conference Third Team; New School Record for Digs in a Season
2019 Stats:
Serving Percentage: 96.8
Digs/Set, Total: 5.8, 504
Receptions/Set, Total: 6.3, 552
Audrey on team unity, “I couldn’t ask for a better group of girls to play with. I have grown up playing with these girls not just in volleyball, but every sport. It’s easy to talk to them on the court and we help bring each other up instead of putting each other down. I’m looking forward to seeing what this year’s freshman class has to offer for our team because I know they are a great group of hardworking girls. I’m just excited to get back on the court with my team.”
Want more information on the Johnson-Brock Eagles including team goals and possible setters? Vote for them on Twitter @nebhsvolleyball to push them to round 2!