Northeast CC Brings in Strong Freshman Class to Mix with Returning Players

NORFOLK – Last season, Northeast Community College in Norfolk reached the NJCAA Division II National Tournament in West Virginia where the #12 Hawks had their season ended with a loss to a team just 46 miles south down Highway 81.

Central CC downed Northeast CC in five sets last year at the national tournament, but this year the Hawks are prepared to advance even further, despite the departure of several contributors.

“We will look to all of the freshmen to step up and make an impact right away, especially on the offensive side,” Northeast coach Amanda Schultze said.

Leading the way for Northeast is returning starting setter Savannah Nelson. The only returning starter for the Hawks, Nelson received ICCAC Region XI All-Conference honors last year and was on the Regional XI-A All-Tournament Team. She had 1,246 assists, 372 digs, 26 blocks, 60 kills and 26 ace serves.

Other players back with experience include defensive specialists Delaney Belt, who had 154 digs, 23 assists and 12 aces last year and Gabriela Barbosa, who had 138 digs, nine assists and six ace serves.

Shelby Paprocki saw limited action last year as a right side, finishing with three kills, seven digs and three blocks. Northeast also added Kalli Brester, who is a transfer from Midland University and is expected to contribute as either a pin hitter or back row specialist.  

“She is very strong on the outside as well as in serve receive and will be a big asset for our team this year,” Schultze said of Brester.

Schultze also went out and got some of the better high school talent in the state last year to add to the mix.

Logan Wemhoff, a 5’11 pin hitter from Humphrey St. Francis, was the #77 overall prospect in the state in the class of 2018. Meanwhile, Elley Beaver of Columbus Scotus was the #88 overall prospect and Stanton’s Hannah Heppner was the #89 prospect.

Also in this year’s freshman class are MaKayla Davidson of Alliance, Julila Eskens of Wynot, Caitlin Kumm of Osmond, Caitlin Orton of Mills, Iowa, and Megan Wehrbein of Lewiston. 

Here is a position-by-position look at Northeast Community College for 2018.

Setters

Savannah Nelson, Soph., Wakefield, Neb.

MaKayla Davidson, Fr., Alliance, Neb.

Pin Hitters

Kalli Brester, Soph., Howells, Neb.

Tayler Klassen, Soph., Hampton, Neb.

Shelby Paprocki, Soph., Clarkson, Neb.

Caitlin Orton, Fr., Mills, Iowa

Elley Beaver, Fr., Columbus, Neb.

Megan Wehrbein, Fr., Lewiston, Neb.

Logan Wemhoff, Fr., Humphrey, Neb.

Middles

Julia Eskens, Fr., Wynot, Neb.

Hannah Heppner, Fr., Stanton, Neb.

Liberos/DS

Caitlin Kumm, Osmond, Neb.

Gabriela Barbosa, Soph., Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Delaney Belt, Soph., Shelby, Neb.