Meet & Greet C-1 State Volleyball: Kearney Catholic Stars

#3 seed Kearney Catholic (30-5) With consecutive state appearances from 2005-2016, Kearney Catholic is no stranger to the state scene and ready to add some hardware to the trophy case. The Stars have tournaments championships at the Aurora Invite, Columbus Chamber Tournament, and the ever-elusive Centennial Conference Tournament. Insert Sydney Connor (2022, 5’11, Setter, 9.5 assists/set) into the setter position this season and add hitters [player_tooltip player_id="37577" first="Ashley" last="Keck"] (2022, 5’10, OH), Bailey Spangler (2021, 5’10, OH), Jill Collins (2021, 5’11, MH), and [player_tooltip player_id="78630" first="Ashlyn" last="Wischmeier"] (2021, 5’9, OH) with many of them playing all six rotations, and this team is solid! Coach Kris Conner comments, “We look forward to competing at state this year. With the talent pool C-1 has, it should make for an exciting tournament.” The Stars took on Lincoln Lutheran at the state tournament on Wednesday. After coming out strong in set one with a 25-17 win, they dropped the next three, 20-25, 18-25, 22-25. The competitive spirit will be high in Lincoln this week! 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! Let’s meet the team: What were your initial thoughts after you won match point in districts? Jill Collins - Honestly to me, it didn’t feel real! Like omg we are going to state. Now that we are getting closer to the state tournament I am so excited. We’ve worked so hard to make it here! Ella Bruggeman - State-bound!! Let’s goooo. Sydney Conner - Everyone on the team was so proud of each other. After last year we were all so eager to go and do something incredible for our school and community. One of our goals going into the season was making it to state, so we were so glad we could check that off of the list. Julia McReynolds - This can’t be real!! Josie Denney - I was super excited to know I have the opportunity to play in Lincoln Lauren Kantaras - I was so excited and was relieved that my hard work for the team paid off Jenna Kruse - I was really excited that we made it to state. Bailey Spangler - At first it didn´t feel real and it kinda felt like it was a normal in-season game. The moment I realized it was real was when everyone was congratulating us and then we all went into the locker room and just went crazy. [player_tooltip player_id="37577" first="Ashley" last="Keck"] - Relief from how nervous I was. But also extremely enthused that all our hard work has paid off! Callie Squiers - I’m so excited to play at state and make tons of memories with our team! [player_tooltip player_id="78630" first="Ashlyn" last="Wischmeier"] - oh my gosh, what just happened… this cannot be real AHHHHHH!!! <hr /> What is the most exciting part of state volleyball that you are looking forward to? Jill Collins - I am looking forward to playing at that level. Also looking forward to spending this last week with my teammates. Ella Bruggeman - Making memories and having fun with my teammates! And also, WINNING STATE! Sydney Conner - When my sister went to state in 2011, 2012, and 2013, I remember the atmosphere was incredible. Everyone was so excited to be there and eager to play. Since it’s my first time up in Lincoln, I can’t wait to experience this atmosphere as a player. Julia McReynolds - the feeling of winning a state game, and maybe a state championship Josie Denney - playing in the PBA with my best friends Lauren Kantaras - I am looking forward to the competition and just the experience of playing in PBA. Jenna Kruse - I am excited to play in the Pinnacle Bank Arena. Bailey Spangler - I am mainly looking forward to the activities we will get to do as a team. I mean of course I am very excited to play in-state considering this is the first time I have been my whole high school career but my team is a lot of fun to be around so I can only imagine what we are going to do. [player_tooltip player_id="37577" first="Ashley" last="Keck"] - The state experience, I have gone to state volleyball games to watch but never have gone because I was actually playing! So getting that chance is awesome! Callie Squiers - I’m looking forward to playing in Pinnacle Bank and experience a state tournament as a freshman. [player_tooltip player_id="78630" first="Ashlyn" last="Wischmeier"] - we’ve worked hard all season for this one weekend of volleyball and now that it’s finally here we just need to take it all in and have fun <hr /> What does your community do to support your team going to state? Jill Collins - Our community does a prep rally. They also make a lot of signs for us as well. Ella Bruggeman - My school community plus our parents have done a ton to make this a special experience. From food to signs and a really awesome pep rally! Sydney Conner - The moms of our team are incredible. We have had multiple team bonders and carb parties thanks to these amazing moms. It helps the team so much when we are bonded, and the moms have done more than enough to make sure that happens. We are so thankful for all they have done for us and we appreciate them so much. Josie Denney - they decorate the school, they have a pep rally at school, and they all tell us how excited they are for us Lauren Kantaras - Our community is our biggest fan club. They have supported us all the way to now. They make signs and cheer for us loud and proud. Jenna Kruse - They have put up yard signs with our names in front of the school and they all support us so much. Bailey Spangler - The community has been very supportive throughout the whole season but we are having a pep rally and a send-off on our way out of the school. They also have made a lot of signs for each player. [player_tooltip player_id="37577" first="Ashley" last="Keck"] - They decorated the outside of our school and we are having a pep rally before we go to Lincoln! Callie Squiers - A lot of people come and support and watch our games. [player_tooltip player_id="78630" first="Ashlyn" last="Wischmeier"] -the seniors moms are tremendous, sending us gifts, and little prayers, performing a huge pep rally, making signs for games, decorating the school, just giving us the recognition we’ve worked 4 years for <hr /> With teams only allotted a certain amount of tickets, who do you want to make sure gets one of those tickets and why? Jill Collins - My parents, grandparents, and my sisters because they have been with me throughout my life being my biggest supporters. With this state tournament being my last I really want them to be there cheering me on. Ella Bruggeman - My parents because they are my biggest fans and have never missed a game of mine. Sydney Conner - My sister Shayla. Throughout the season she’s the one I talk to about anything. Whether it’s mentally or physically she is the first person I go to. She was a setter throughout high school and college, so she understands me and the way I think. Shayla did a lot of mental training in college and has helped me overcome some really tough times in my life, and I will forever be grateful to her for that guidance. Julia McReynolds - Curtiss Spangler, he is louder than any student section Josie Denney - my family for sure, they have supported me through everything in volleyball Lauren Kantaras - I hope that all the parents can go and watch us because I want to show all the hard work we’ve put into this season. Jenna Kruse - I hope that all the parents get tickets and hopefully most of our students can too. Bailey Spangler - My grandma, because she has been to all of my games and is so supportive of everything I do. [player_tooltip player_id="37577" first="Ashley" last="Keck"] - My parents, sisters, and grandparents because they are the ones who are always coming and supporting me! Callie Squiers - I would like my parents and siblings to be there. [player_tooltip player_id="78630" first="Ashlyn" last="Wischmeier"] - My family, they’ve been to ALL of my games throughout my entire high school career and I wouldn’t be where I am today without their support, and I know it would mean the world to myself and my family if they could get to see me play one last time on the big stage <hr /> What is the best advice anyone has given you in volleyball? Be sure to include who gave you the advice. Jill Collins - I would have to say my coach, Ellie. She always knew what I could accomplish throughout my volleyball career. She has always been there to help me out. Every time I would make a mistake, she would always be like you got the next one. Ella Bruggeman - To be confident!! - a former kchs volleyball player Sydney Conner - "If you do your best and give the best effort you can, no matter the outcome, you have something to be proud of." My sister told me this after we took a hard loss earlier in the season, and it is something I live and play by now. To cope with a loss, it helps me to try and see the positive, and this gives me a positive to focus on. Josie Denney - my sister played my position when she was in high school and she always gives me tips on how to better the ball and be a team player Lauren Kantaras - Giving up is the last thing you can do, even when it’s a bad day. It doesn’t matter how you start, it’s how you finish. - My club volleyball coach, Jonie Fader Jenna Kruse - Fake it till you make it. Having a bad attitude on the court can bring everyone down, if you have a bad attitude and can act like you don´t then others will hopefully have a better attitude too. Bailey Spangler - Probably when [player_tooltip player_id="78630" first="Ashlyn" last="Wischmeier"] said to have fun with it but also stay focused [player_tooltip player_id="37577" first="Ashley" last="Keck"] - To put everything you got into the game because it goes by faster than you expect. I remember not thinking it would but being a junior already is crazy thinking I only have a year left! Callie Squiers - My dad always tells me volleyball is a mental game and you need to get out of your head to be able to play well. <hr /> Any advice you would give to young girls on how to have a great volleyball experience in high school? Jill Collins - Just don’t take it for granted. Give it your all when you’re out there on the court because you never know when it is going to be your last game. My four years of high school volleyball flew by. I didn’t think it would go by this fast. Ella Bruggeman - Be confident and talk! Have fun and remember that it’s just a game but volleyball teaches life lessons as well. Sydney Conner - Your teammates should be your best friends. Playing the sport you love with the people you love is one of the greatest parts about high school athletics. You play to make your teammates better and they do the same. At the end of your high school career, the relationships are what you remember and will always cherish. Julia McReynolds - Remember, you can only control your attitude and effort Josie Denney - just have fun with it and play your heart out !! Lauren Kantaras - I would say to play each game like it is your last and play with heart. Jenna Kruse - Being close with your teammates and having fun will make it a great experience. Bailey Spangler - I would say just have fun. Having fun is going to help you grow as a team and make new friendships throughout the years. Also don´t give up, just because times get tough doesn´t mean you should give up. [player_tooltip player_id="37577" first="Ashley" last="Keck"] - Make the most of the opportunities you get, because you never know what might happen. Callie Squiers - Have a lot of fun and make good memories. [player_tooltip player_id="78630" first="Ashlyn" last="Wischmeier"] -while this may sound cliche, don’t take anything for granted, we are very fortunate we even got a season this year with all the covid restrictions, nothing is ever promised, so play every game like it’s your last <hr /> Give us one positive comment about one player on your team. It can be the goofiest player or just someone that deserves a shoutout. Jill Collins - Sydney Conner. She is always hyping me up when I block a ball or have a great kill. Also, she always makes me laugh. Ella Bruggeman - Jill, one of our middles on the team, always is smiling and her smile is contagious! Sydney Conner - Jill Collins is the best hype man. After a good play, I know I can count on her to scream so loud I almost burst an eardrum, but having energy like that on the court is crucial and no one fills that role better than she can. She’s such an emotional leader and a great person to be with on the court. Julia McReynolds - Sydney Conner has sick dance moves Josie Denney - Jill is by far the loudest !!! Lauren Kantaras - I think that Jill Collins should get a huge shoutout. She has stepped in as my big sister and makes me laugh every day. She is always a person I can go to if I am feeling down. Jenna Kruse - Bailey Spangler has been a huge role model to me these last two years. She always has a smile on her face and always makes me laugh. She is a super hard worker and an amazing hitter. Bailey Spangler - Sydney Conner, she deserves so much credit for how this season is going. Last year she didn´t get to play much due to a back injury and this year she came back ready to go and I think that really helped us. [player_tooltip player_id="37577" first="Ashley" last="Keck"] - Definitely [player_tooltip player_id="78630" first="Ashlyn" last="Wischmeier"], her and I have been inseparable since 8 and under softball. But what makes her a great teammate is the way she contributes to the team. For example, last year you setter had to sit out all season from an injury and her not knowing much about setting, stepped up to help fill that spot. Although there were a lot of struggles last year, I will always have that leadership respect for her. Callie Squiers - I think all of our seniors do a great job bringing our team closer and helping underclassmen bond with everyone. [player_tooltip player_id="78630" first="Ashlyn" last="Wischmeier"] - Another one of my fellow seniors, Julia Mcrenyolds, blew out her knee during a summer volleyball open gym, a seniors worst nightmare, it was devastating to everyone on the team, as she was a key player throughout our high school career, and would again have played a huge role in our success this year. Instead of physically and mentally checking out of the season, she stepped up in a way no one on the team thought she would. She showed up to every practice, every game, every team bonder! She is our biggest supporter, and our team plays for her every game because she deserves to be out there with us <hr /> Your favorite inspirational quote or make one up and take the credit for it! Jill Collins - "You can’t win unless you know how to lose" Ella Bruggeman - Don’t take anything for granted! Enjoy every moment! Sydney Conner - "Great moments are born from great opportunity, and that’s what you have here tonight. That’s what you’ve earned here tonight." - Coach Brooks, Miracle Julia McReynolds - Adapt and Overcome Lauren Kantaras - Don’t count the days, make the days count’ - Muhammad Ali Jenna Kruse - Every day is a chance to get better Bailey Spangler - it´s going to be hard, but hard does not mean impossible [player_tooltip player_id="37577" first="Ashley" last="Keck"] - Take the opportunity and make it a statement Callie Squiers - “Forget the failures. Keep the lessons” <hr /> You make up the question and answer it here. Be creative!!! Jill Collins - How did I get where I am today? I got here by working hard. I remember my freshman summer I worked with my coach, Ellie, twice a week for about 2 months. It was sometimes hard, but I pushed through it all. Ella Bruggeman - What’s my favorite volleyball drill? Peppering in the kitchen with my mom as my partner! Sydney Conner - If you had to be a tree, what tree would you be and why? I would be a palm tree because they are planted at the beach and I love the beach. :) Lauren Kantaras - Who is going to win C class state this year? answer: KEARNEY CATHOLIC Jenna Kruse - How is Kearney Catholic gonna play at state? Outstanding Bailey Spangler - How did you start playing volleyball? I started playing volleyball at the YMCA at the age of 6 or 7. I didn´t really want to play but my parents told me I should at least try and it turned out to be my favorite sport and what I love doing. [player_tooltip player_id="37577" first="Ashley" last="Keck"] - What type of relationship does your team have? answer: We all share such a unique bond, if I am going to be honest, I would say my team has the best relationship than any other team. The reason for this is because we have been playing with each other for several years but we also forget and forgive. With that being said we don’t hold unnecessary grudges, we try to support each other in every possible way we can. That helps us be such a successful team! Callie Squiers - What’s your favorite part about your team?- all the memories and laughs we have! I love it when we dance in the locker room before games!   GOOD LUCK TO KEARNEY CATHOLIC!