Class C2 Grand Island Central Catholic on winning a state championship

The Grand Island Central Catholic program, lead by coach Sharon Zavala for 45 seasons, with nine state champions and nine runner-up plaques, prevailed in the Class C2 state tournament with wins over Summerland, Superior, and Hastings St. Cecilia. But the road to the championship was not easy for the Crusaders (28-5). A five-set thriller against Superior in the semifinals pitted the Crusaders against a familiar foe in Hastings St. Cecelia. A team they lost to three times this season. Winning in 3, 26-24, 25-22, 25-15, the Crusaders prevailed this time with the championship plaque. A week later, the sites and sounds of the state tournament still resonate in the minds of the coaches, players, and fans! From the pep rallies to parental support to team bonding to the final ball hitting the floor, each memory will last a lifetime. Congratulations on winning a state championship! What were your thoughts on match point and when the ball hit the floor for the final time? Sharon Zavala, Coach They did it! Can't believe we beat them in 3. Haily Asche, 11th I was almost in disbelief that we had won because our opponent had beat us 3 times prior to the championship game. I was just very excited and proud of my teammates. Lauryn Willman, 12th We finally did it. Kate McFarland, 12th It was the best feeling knowing that we ended my last athletic game ever with a state title. Courtney Toner, 12th I was overwhelmed with excitement and disbelief that we actually won the whole thing! I will never forget that moment. Chloe Cloud, 10th I was so happy. Elli Steenson, 12th I was thinking, no way did that just happen! Gracie Woods, 9th I was so excited for our team and all the hard work we put in during the year. It was a surreal feeling when the ball hit the floor. Allison Kalvoda, 12th When I hit the game-winning kill it was the best feeling in the world. It was so crazy to think about that being my final time I will ever hit a volleyball, but I was so happy I could end my high school career with the final point! Katie Maser, 12th I was super happy and so proud of my team!! It was a dream come there when we one!!! Avery Kalvoda, 12th When the ball was passed over and basically a free pass I knew we were going to get the game point, we had so much confidence and aggressive that game that I have never seen before. I was so happy for my twin sister Because she got the game-winning point and it was a really good hit that went straight down. I was also kind of relieved that we had completed one of my biggest goals so far in life, joy and happiness overwhelmed me and I will never forget the feeling of running into the doggie pile and probably being one of the happiest people on earth.   Parents can be crazy sometimes. What did your parents do to support you before, during, and after the tournament? Sharon Zavala, Coach My parents are the best. They do whatever I need -- food, get info out, support me and my assistants, help with rides. They will put on a championship banquet sometime in the near future to honor this team. Haily Asche, 11th My mom and I didn't get to see each other much during the tournament, but after each game, I would talk to her for a little bit. She was proud of me and the team and expressed that after each win. Lauryn Willman, 12th My parents always send me text messages asking me if I ready to go and cheering for me in the stands. Kate McFarland, 12th My mom said a rosary for our team each day of state Chloe Cloud, 10th My parents supported by giving words of wisdom Elli Steenson, 12th Put together team dinners, made signs with our faces on them, made us goody bags, stood outside in the cold to cheer us on as we drove by on our way to Lincoln, they came to every game and cheered as loud as they could. After the championship game parents gave out several hugs to all the players and told us how proud they were and shed a few tears. Gracie Woods, 9th My parents showed up at the hotel with two twenty pound ice bags and made me take an ice bath after the Semifinal game. Allison Kalvoda, 12th My parents are my biggest supporters. Before state, all of the parents threw us a pep rally, a dinner, and gave us goodie bags. They also made signs and helped me get everything ready to go before state! During state, they were a nervous wreck and were always just telling my twin sister how much they loved and supported us. Katie Maser, 12th We had a team dinner before the tournament!! They have cheered us on all season and so supportive through that all!!! They are the best and we couldn’t have done it without them!! Avery Kalvoda, 12th Before the game, our parents hung signs all over the school with pictures of us and encouraging words. They also organized a pep rally, and each parent got an item and put them into a big goodie bag for us to bring to state. As we left in our cars they held our fat heads and cheered us off. After the tournament, they are organizing a big dinner to honor us!   Such great student sections and fans at all of the games! What kind of support did your team get from your community and school before, during, and after the tournament? Sharon Zavala, Coach The GICC community has always been supportive - it was great to see and hear from former players and students at Central Catholic. They still support the school after 20 years out even. Haily Asche, 11th Our school did a lot to support us, starting with a huge pep rally before we left. We also had the funding from the school to stay in a hotel for those two nights and funding for food. Our students and some of the teachers showed up to the games to cheer for us, which was really motivating, and I'm glad they came to support us. Lauryn Willman, 12th Our fans were awesome, they sent us encouraging messages and stayed in Lincoln every night to come to each game. Kate McFarland, 12th Our fans were so amazing. They really showed up with great school spirit and pride but were very respectful. They showed what being a Crusader is all about Courtney Toner, 12th We are so lucky to be supported by our crusader community! We had a pep rally before the tournament. I could hear the student section during the state tournament and it just gave us that much more reason to win those games! Chloe Cloud, 10th They cheer us on and gave a boost of energy Elli Steenson, 12th Before we left our school sent us off with a pep rally. During, the tournament the student section was always filled, they were never quiet and they were just as much into every point as we were. Afterward, our student section was rewarded with the sportsmanship award and I believe it was very much deserved for their creative chants and cheers and always keeping us fired up. Gracie Woods, 9th We had a pep rally and mass before with a blessing from our priest before we left. Our student section, cheerleaders, band, and dance team were loud and proud cheering us on each day. Allison Kalvoda, 12th Our team couldn’t have asked for a better support system from our gicc family. We got many shoutouts for the best of luck before the games and had A great turn out of fans to cheer us on during the games. Our student section even got the sportsmanship award. We were truly blessed with my best! Katie Maser, 12th Our student section, band, cheerleaders, dance team and our community was awesome!! They were so supportive along the way!!! Avery Kalvoda, 12th Before the tournament, all of the students participated in the pep rally and the band, cheer team, and dance team of preformed at it. At the tournament most of our student showed up to our games and yelled as loud as they could, they held up our fat heads and chanted every chance they got, the bad performed at every state game and all of the cheerleaders and dancers came to. Our student section was so good that they got the sportsmanship award and if really showed just how much spirit and love they had!   Being a part of a team means you spend a lot of time with your teammates! What are some of your favorite memories that really stand out from the season? Sharon Zavala, Coach Watching my team become so competitive and determined during the State Tournament. They were a true TEAM in all phases and without this they could not have pulled out some of those sets at the tourney. Haily Asche, 11th My favorite memories were just spending time with my teammates, not just from games, but in parties or after practices and things like that. My teammates are amazing people and can make anything fun. Lauryn Willman, 12th There were too many to count but I just loved practicing with my teammates and having fun in the court competing with them, they are truly my best friends. Kate McFarland, 12th My favorite memory was going to the Alliance tournament with my friends and jamming out during the 5-hour car ride. Courtney Toner, 12th My favorite memory from this year is the second set of the Superior game and how we came back from 18-24 to win the set 26-24. It was the ultimate example of teamwork and determination. Chloe Cloud, 10th My memory was winning state. Elli Steenson, 12th Winning each game at the state tournament and finishing it off by getting the gold from beating a team that had beat us 3 times prior. Gracie Woods, 9th The bus rides without air conditioning Allison Kalvoda, 12th My favorite memory from this season would have to be the whole state experience. Getting to spend 2 nights with your teammates really bonds you. I had so much fun with them this year and love them all so much. Katie Maser, 12th I loved getting able to play with my best friends all season!!! Avery Kalvoda, 12th This season was a very special season, it was the last season I would have with my seven best friends and seniors! One of my favorite memories it when Courtney and Elli both ran into the ball carts during practice!   Your thoughts on the offseason. What do you want to work on? How are you going to accomplish your goals? If you are a senior, will volleyball be part of your future? Sharon Zavala, Coach Rest and support these girls in their other sports and plan for next year’s team. Haily Asche, 11th During the offseason, I'm going to work on staying in shape and maybe getting a little stronger and faster. I'll be on a new lifting program so that I can build more muscle rather than just maintain. Lauryn Willman, 12th I hope to continue my volleyball career in college, just haven’t decided where yet. Kate McFarland, 12th I am officially done with sports. I am going to focus on my studies and hopefully get a KHOP or RHOP scholarship! Courtney Toner, 12th I do not plan of volleyball being a part of my future, but it sure is a happy memory of the past. Chloe Cloud, 10th I want to work on my blocking. Going to the gym. Elli Steenson, 12th I’m a senior and I will not continue playing volleyball. Allison Kalvoda, 12th This will be my last year of volleyball, but I look forward to watching this team next year and cheer them on! I am also excited to see my setter/ best friend (Katie Maser) kill it next year at Creighton! Katie Maser, 12th Yes, volleyball will be a part of my future:) Avery Kalvoda, 12th Volleyball will not be part of my season but I will forever miss the joy and excitement I got when I played with my teammates!   Playing volleyball at the next level is a big decision! What are your thoughts on if you want to play and where? Haily Asche, 11th I'm not totally sure about playing college volleyball, because I'll already be taking classes and having a job. I feel like adding volleyball to the mix would just make it more stressful than fun. Lauryn Willman, 12th I have a few schools in mind and think it would be a great opportunity! Katie Maser, 12th I am committed to play at Creighton University!!! :)