The Magnificent Seven: All that Glitters is Gold

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Norris Titans knocked off defending State Champion Skutt Catholic who was trying to pursue a 10th straight title in an epic battle at Devaney in the Class B Championship. The Titans slayed the volleyball giant 25-23, 21-25, 17-25, 25-18 and 15-8. Seven magnificent players rode off into the sunset with a gold medal around their necks. Let's celebrate and take a look back at these talented young ladies!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's start off with Long Beach State commit [player_tooltip player_id='155030' first='Anna' last='Jelinek'] who hammered 461 kills for the Titans this season, eclipsing 1251 career kills. The 5'9” outside was a threat in all six rotations, whether she was swinging from the front row, digging, or swinging from the back row. Jelinek could do it all. It was very evident that she would not be denied in the Championship match as she hit a team high 24 kills. So athletic and could vary all her shots to keep defenses guessing. She also had an outstanding club career with Nebraska One Synergy.&nbsp; One of the most talented and balanced players in the state, the Titans will have big shoes to fill on the pin.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5 '2 North Dakota State commit [player_tooltip player_id='189328' first='Rya' last='Borer'] had a phenomenal senior year in the libero jersey. She nearly doubled up her junior year total of 257 to 562 digs. She was so steady and calm in serve receive and allowed the Titans to run their offense efficiently. Rya did a fantastic job of reading hitters and getting a hand on so many balls. She was able to keep the Titans in so many rallies. Borer also chipped in 33 ace serves this past season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most explosive and quick arms in the state was middle 5'11” Lexi Hasselbach. The senior had 239 kills on the season and 98 total blocks. So many times this season she would end a long rally with a huge kill, giving her team so much confidence and momentum. Her ability to plant and hit around the block with her fast swing was a thing of beauty. She also had a great serve and finished the season with 21 aces. Hasselbach also had a great club career with Nebraska One Synergy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='495061' first='Kate' last='Carnie'] had an outstanding senior campaign. Carnie played right side in the 6-2 system and had 149 kills on the year and 46 total blocks. The right side had the ability to tool shot opposing pins and see the open floor to rack up kills. Carnie was a steady competitor and a calm presence out on the floor. She played her role so well and had kills at key moments in games to sideout.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The other right side, 6'0” Kendyl Cose had 76 total blocks and had the block of the game on game point against the Skyhawks to finish off set 5 and capture the State Title. Cose had 176 kills this past season. She did a great job of finding the line when hitting or could swing between the block on a cross court shot making the middles pay. Cose was always positive on the floor and never took herself too seriously. She always looked like she was having fun out on the floor!&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When Norris' sophomore setter [player_tooltip player_id='458117' first='Malorie' last='Boesiger'] was out with injury, Head Coach Christna Boesiger had to call on [player_tooltip player_id='189326' first='Harper' last='Gable'] and [player_tooltip player_id='155031' first='Zoe' last='Rademacher'] to run the Titan offense. The tandem setters were selfless and fantastic distributing the ball to all of the high powered Titan hitters. The 5'9” Gable was a jack of all trades type player that could do all skills well. Her floor defense was really spectacular as she had 217 digs on the season. Gable had 514 set assists for the Titans and chipped in 36 ace serves. She was a calm, positive leader out on the floor all season and filled in the setter role so well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5 '10 " [player_tooltip player_id='155031' first='Zoe' last='Rademacher'] moved from the outside pin to set for the Titans this season. Last season she had 222 kills as an outside. This fall she transitioned to a setter, who had fantastic hands and 622 set assists. She also had a great driving serve that was put on display in Set 5 of the Championship game where she had back to back ace serves. Rademacher finished the season with 44 ace serves. She filled in the setter role so well and distributed the ball so efficiently.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Norris Titan seniors had been in the State Title game two other times during their career, but silver changed to gold around their necks and memories were made. The Titans finished the season 38-1 with their lone loss coming to Class A State Champion Papillion-LaVista South. The seven seniors had outstanding seasons and careers and will forever be etched in Nebraska State High School Volleyball Tournament history.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->