Meet and Greet Nebraska Class C-1 State Volleyball: Wayne

Listed as the #1 goal for many of the teams involved, winning the Mid-State Conference proves to be a challenge year after year. A feat that #4 seed Wayne (29-5) never accomplished until this season. Beating C-1 State #8 seed Battle Creek (28-5) and C-1 State #7 seed Norfolk Catholic (23-6) in the regular season and Battle Creek again in the conference championship, Wayne also won the regular season conference title. And then, the Blue Devils, in one of the most challenging C-1 sub-districts, faced Battle Creek again resulting in a 5 set loss. With the aid of a wild card, Wayne beat Chase County (24-8), 3-1, in the district final to punch a ticket to the C-1 State Tournament. Head coach Traci Krusemark in her 8th year at Wayne, leads her team to Lincoln on Thursday to face #5 seed Broken Bow (32-2) at 3:30 at Lincoln North Star. With a win, the Blue Devils will face #1 seed St. Paul (33-0) or #8 seed Battle Creek (28-5) on Friday at 1:00 at Pinnacle Bank Arena in the semifinals. The Blue Devils 95.7% team serving percentage ranks the highest of the C-1 tournament field. No player serves lower than 93%. Kiara Krusemark - Setter, Sophomore, 971 assists, 97% serving, started as a freshman Lauren Pick - MH, Junior, 2018 Class C-1 Honorable Mention, 523 kills, 96.3% serving, 31 blocks, 341 digs, 3 year starter, school record 36 kills in one match Emily Armstrong - OH, Senior, 2018 Class C-1 Honorable Mention, 261 kills, 99% serving, 408 digs, 330 serve receptions, 4 year starter Hailey Backer - Libero, Senior, 32 aces, 485 digs, 448 serve receptions Sydney Redden -OH/DS, Sophomore, 34 aces at 94%, 377 digs, 251 serve receptions, great passer and defensive player Frankie Klausen - RS, Senior, 203 digs, helps keep everyone calm and organized Erin O’Reilly - Senior, 96.7% serving The competitive spirit will be high in Lincoln this weekend! But, really, it all comes down to these young ladies being great stewards of the sport and we appreciate them for that. Volleyball proves to be a big part of their life, but read on and you might learn a little more about these athletes. Their ever-thinking minds are amazing! Lets meet the Blue Devil seniors: If you could mic up anyone on your team who would it be and what would they say? Emily Armstrong - Emily Longe, she was say something she is thinking which is usually funny Frankie Klausen - Hailey Backer, good job guys Erin O’Reilly - Lauren Pick and she would yell something to get pumped up. Hailey Backer - Emily Longe would be encouraging everyone and definitely laughing a ton   What does coach tell you to do time after time? Emily - "Get to the sideline" Erin - High toss when serving   Favorite go to app and why Emily - TIK TOK Frankie - Snap chat.. easy to take pregame pics Erin - Twitter because my timeline is filled with jokes, memes, and gifs. Hailey - tiktok   Pregame superstitions Emily - Singing the National Anthem aloud with Syd Frankie - Dancing to a certain song Erin - We have to listen to 2 specific songs before every game. Hailey - I wear the same headband and have to chew a piece of peppermint gum EVERY game   Pregame music Frankie - Press Erin - Hot shower, 223, The Git Up, and UCLA Hailey - Panini   How many pictures do you take of yourself with your phone a day? Emily - 15+ Erin - One or two Hailey - Maybe 10   Has anyone asked for your autograph? Emily - No Frankie - Yes Erin - No Hailey - No   Who was your volleyball role model and why? Emily - Tali Fredrickon -WSC Erin - Jordan Larson because she came from a small town and made it big Hailey - my sister Meagan because she had a passion for the game and always encourages me to do my best... and she’s a stud   Favorite drill in practice Emily - Deep court exchange Frankie - Deep court Erin - Deep court exchange Hailey - deep court exchange   Least favorite drill in practice Erin - Butterfly serve receive Hailey - running   What other sports do you participate in high school? Emily - Track Frankie - Basketball, Track Erin - Track Hailey - Club Volleyball, Track   Do you plan to play volleyball in college? Emily - No Frankie - No Erin - No Hailey - Yes   Is your dad oblivious to the rules of volleyball? What is the best advice your dad has given you? Emily - Yes, "Just put the ball down hard on the other side of the net" Frankie - No, Have fun and win Erin - No Hailey - No, Just go out there and have fun   What have you worked on extra hard this year to improve your volleyball skills? Emily - Playing as one team and not individually Frankie - My vertical Erin - Passing Hailey - Playing as a team   You make up the question and answer it here. Be creative!!! Emily - Are we excited for state? YES!!!! Frankie - Are we ready for state? Oh ya!!! Erin - Are we pumped up and ready to win???? Yesssss sir Hailey - Are we ready for another year at state?? You know it!   GOOD LUCK TO THE WAYNE BLUE DEVILS THIS WEEK!!!