Conference Preview: Southwest Conference

<p>After graduating some pivotal players, the Southwest Conference could be down this year. Needless to say, these teams still possess some firepower and have been known for a few upsets and trips to state in C-1. Here is a quick look at SWC teams and predictions for the 2018 season.</p> <p><em><strong>Minden</strong></em></p> <p>Last year the Whippets ended in a three-way tie for the regular season conference championship with Ogallala and McCook. After losing two major role players, they will have to fill in some gaps, but constantly remain at the top of the pack each year. They will return all-state swinger, <strong>Jensen Rowse</strong>, as well as starting setter, <strong>Leah Boudreau</strong>, and libero, <strong>Alexas Kuehn</strong>. The core of their team returns and they will be tough to beat out of the front-runner position as they have been known to progressively up their level in the second half of the season.</p> <p><em><strong>Ogallala</strong></em></p> <p>Another constant contender for conference, district, and state championships, the Indians will look to fill in the shoes of Diana Reed as a 6-rotation player. With the returning of libero, <strong>Lily Fair</strong> and middle hitter, <strong>Emma Krab</strong>, the Indians have some key components coming back to their gym. Last season they lost only to McCook in the hunt for a regular season championship and will be in contention this year as well with coach Steve Morgan at the helm of the long-standing legacy in Western Nebraska.</p> <p><em><strong>McCook</strong></em></p> <p>The new kid on the block showed they came to play upon entering the Southwest Conference. Now fully incorporated into the other teams' schedules, the Bison will set their sites on an outright championship this year. After graduating a plethora of key players, they will look to underclassman to fill the holes. This year they will attend the conference tournament in Cozad for additional matches against conference teams.</p> <p><em><strong>Broken Bow</strong></em></p> <p>After missing out on state by a small margin last season and pulling an upset on top-ranked Ord, Bow will return the bulk of their success this fall. This team could be a sleeper and a beast to match up against by the end of the season. Another team that will vie for the trophy again this season is stacked with experience and continually refining key players such as <strong>Majesta Valasek</strong> (OH) and <strong>Madison Neely</strong> (MH). </p> <p><em><strong>Gothenburg</strong></em></p> <p>Upon the loss of their two firepower attackers to graduation, the Swedes will look to rebuild and climb back to the top of the conference. Last season they finished in the middle of the pack with wins against Broken Bow and Cozad, but losses to other front-runners formerly listed. </p> <p><em><strong>Cozad</strong></em></p> <p>The Haymakers battled against the conference's elite teams, but were unable to pull pivotal wins in crunch time. They will look to a few experienced players to push for a few more conference wins this season.</p> <p><em><strong>Valentine</strong></em></p> <p>This young team will take advantage of a fresh start and look to gain a few more conference wins this season.</p> <p><em><strong>Ainsworth</strong></em></p> <p>The Bulldogs will look to improve their conference record this year and rebuild their team after losing a few seniors from last season.</p>