Current Key Players in the revamped Nebraska Capitol Conference

The run to the title will look different for the Nebraska Capitol Conference in 2020. With the exodus of Wahoo and Platteview into the newly formed Trailblazer Conference (Beatrice, Nebraska City, Ralston, Plattsmouth), the conference loses two highly competitive teams that pushed teams and players to their limit to work harder and be the best they can be. Current teams include Ashland-Greenwood, Arlington, DC West, Fort Calhoun, Raymond Central, and Syracuse. They will gain Conestoga, Logan View/Scribner-Snyder, Louisville, and Yutan. It’s too early to hear about incoming freshmen or players making that step from reserve or JV, but teams look to reload and rebuild off of current varsity players. CURRENT NCC MEMBERS Ashland-Greenwood - Class C1, 2019 Record 18-12 - A-G will be led by a group of seniors that have seen court time since they were freshmen. Juniors setter/hitter Saige Craven (1st team NCC), Layne Whaley, [player_tooltip player_id="82585" first="Alexa" last="Edmisten"], Carly VonRentall (Honorable Mention NCC), and Jessica Stander (HM NCC) will provide the core along with sophomore setter [player_tooltip player_id="58812" first="Brynn" last="Glock"]. Arlington - Class C1, 2019 Record 7-21 - With a young team in 2019, the Eagles will look to athletic sophomores [player_tooltip player_id="58825" first="Chase" last="Anderson"] (HM NCC) and Kailynn Gubbels (HM NCC) and junior setter Claire Allen. DC West - Class C1, 2019 Record 18-11 - Coach Bob Wald impressed in 2019 with some key transfers that added to a strong chore of players and pushed many of the top conference teams. Juniors Ella Hopkins (HM NCC), Sydney Troudt, Payci Owens, and setter [player_tooltip player_id="82601" first="Katie" last="Nelson"] will lead the way. Fort Calhoun - Class C1, 2019 Record 14-17 - The Pioneers made some strides in 2019 after an 8-22 record in 2018. The young team will look to juniors McKenna Greenwell (2nd team NCC) and Ellie Lienemann (HM NCC). Raymond Central - Class C1, 2019 Record 7-20 - The Mustangs hope to have a breakout year in 2020 behind athletic all-around player junior [player_tooltip player_id="82613" first="Grace" last="Mueller"] (2nd team NCC), junior setter Halle Heiss and sophomore Autumn Haislet (HM NCC). Junior Halle Heiss on teams in the NCC, “Teams I think that will challenge us in the 2020 season are Syracuse and Ashland-Greenwood because they are always scrappy and set a fast pace.” Syracuse - Class C1, 2019 Record 23-4 - As 2019 conference runner-up and a final #9 state ranking, the Rockets plan to reload with many key players returning. All-around player junior Jessica Moss (1st team NCC, committed to Midland University) will look to fellow junior setter [player_tooltip player_id="72135" first="Halle" last="Wilhelm"], sophomores [player_tooltip player_id="58818" first="Lindsey" last="Moss"], [player_tooltip player_id="72137" first="Kennedy" last="Stanley"], and Lily Vollertsen to carry out the game plan. The Rockets have a lot of height and length coming through the ranks. Junior [player_tooltip player_id="82613" first="Grace" last="Mueller"] of Raymond Central comments on the revamped Nebraska Capitol Conference, “I think the new conference will be good for us. We are a growing team and new competition is always good for us, keeping us on our toes and making us work harder as a team. I‘m going to miss the teams we do loose because they were great teams and competitive.” CHECK BACK TOMORROW FOR A PREVIEW OF THE NEW TEAMS AND FACES OF THE NEBRASKA CAPITOL CONFERENCE!!