Meet & Greet C-1 State Volleyball: Wahoo Warriors

#1 seed Wahoo (32-0) The Warriors didn’t change their record going into the state tournament from last season but did change up their schedule in 2020 to get there. Wahoo left the Nebraska Capitol Conference and became an inaugural member of the Trailblazer Conference that includes Beatrice, Nebraska City, Plattsmouth, Platteveiw, and Ralston. With no losses, the team put together a challenging schedule and racked up some series points in the wild card standings playing many Class B teams and winning. It has become a tradition at Wahoo to make the state tournament and place. They have made it to state in volleyball in 2013, 2014 (4th place), 2017 (champs), 2018 (champs), and 2019 (3rd place). Coach Trish Larson comments, “We are very excited to get back to state. The seniors this year have done a phenomenal job leading their team and pushing their teammates to get better every day. We continue to focus on the little things and everyone doing their jobs. C-1 has some really good teams at state and we are excited for the challenge!” That senior leadership includes Super-Stater Elle Glock (2021, 6’0, Setter, USC Commit), [player_tooltip player_id="82622" first="Lauren" last="Kavan"] (2021, 5’9, RS), and Kelsie Sears (2021, 6’0, OH). Glock, a starter for four years, ranks 4th in the state and 1st in Class C1 with 11.1 assists/set. She also has 56 kills on .658 hitting and leads her team in blocks (as the setter!!). Sears is second on the team with 3.3 kills/set and leads her team with 57 ace serves. Kavan leads her team with 4.7 digs/set but also has lofty numbers in the front row and at the service line. The junior class rounds out the rest of the lineup. With Super-Stater [player_tooltip player_id="37530" first="Mya" last="Larson"] (2022, 5’11, OH) in the mix hitting 5.7 kills/set on .418 hitting and a serious threat on defense, the Warriors also rely on [player_tooltip player_id="106608" first="Mya" last="Emerson"] (2022, 5’9), Taylor Luben (2022, 5’4, Libero), and Josie Sutton (2022, 6’0). College coaches - we have not heard a commitment out of Larson yet!! One to keep an eye on! 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 to 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? [player_tooltip player_id="82622" first="Lauren" last="Kavan"] - Excited or season got extended another week and it was the last point us seniors would ever play in our home gym. [player_tooltip player_id="37530" first="Mya" last="Larson"] - I was super excited for our team to come back to Pinnacle to redeem ourselves from last year. The competition will be a great test for us as we move forward. Kelsie Sears - State bound!! Let’s goooo!!! Elle Glock - WE ARE GOING TO STATE !!!!!! Josie Sutton - Onto state! Taylor Luben - Let’s gooo <hr /> What is the most exciting part of state volleyball that you are looking forward to? [player_tooltip player_id="82622" first="Lauren" last="Kavan"] - The level of competition and community/fan support. One last time to play at state! [player_tooltip player_id="37530" first="Mya" last="Larson"] - We love seeing the community come together and support our school as we compete. Playing in front of hundreds of fans is the best feeling. Kelsie Sears - The amazing atmosphere Elle Glock - The fans and the environment of the state tournament. Such a great experience. Josie Sutton - The championship game(if we make it) Taylor Luben - Just playing another game with my best friends <hr /> What does your community do to support your team going to state? [player_tooltip player_id="82622" first="Lauren" last="Kavan"] - Our community shows support at every game, especially at home. They are supportive the entire way and during state week, signs are put up around town and we always have a send off including the whole school and community. [player_tooltip player_id="37530" first="Mya" last="Larson"] - Every year, there is a state send off through the high school halls. We walk while our parents, students, teachers, and band cheer us on to the bus. Kelsie Sears - Put signs up on the road on the way to Lincoln Elle Glock - Give us gift baskets, wish us luck. Josie Sutton - Our parents paint our cars, make signs etc. Taylor Luben -Give us gift baskets, have a send off, come and support us, love us no matter the outcome. <hr /> With teams only allotted a certain amount of tickets, who do you want to make sure gets one of those tickets and why? [player_tooltip player_id="82622" first="Lauren" last="Kavan"] - It is sad that fans are limited but it is for the safety of everyone. I would want to make sure that my immediate family members get tickets as well as a few friends that are out of town and want to watch us finish out the season. [player_tooltip player_id="37530" first="Mya" last="Larson"] - Families had first dibs on tickets so they have them already, but I hope students who will show up and cheer loud gets a ticket. Kelsie Sears - Family Elle Glock - My entire family. They have supported me the whole time. This is my last year and I want them to be there to experience it with me. Josie Sutton - I just want my family to be there. Taylor Luben - I want my mom and dad to get a ticket because they are my number one fans. <hr /> What is the best advice anyone has given you in volleyball? Be sure to include who gave you the advice. [player_tooltip player_id="82622" first="Lauren" last="Kavan"] - The best advice I have gotten is to work harder than our competition. Each day we need to have the goal to outwork any other team that may be practicing. We want to get 1% better each day and over my high school career, Coach Larson and Coach Simons have always said this to us. [player_tooltip player_id="37530" first="Mya" last="Larson"] - "Trust the process" - Coach Larson (aka mom). This means to trust our training over all of our years. Elle Glock - My club coach, and to be passionate and always willing to get better. Josie Sutton - My dad always tells me to stay aggressive. Taylor Luben - Never settle cause you never know when your last game could be, Coach Trish Larson. <hr /> Any advice you would give to young girls on how to have a great volleyball experience in high school? [player_tooltip player_id="82622" first="Lauren" last="Kavan"] - The harder you work, the better success you have. It will all pay off in the end if everyone has the same goal at the end of the day. [player_tooltip player_id="37530" first="Mya" last="Larson"] - Have a mindset to give your all to every point. Don’t focus on future or past plays. Kelsie Sears - Work hard every day in practice and it will pay off. Elle Glock - Play your hardest and be willing to adjust. Josie Sutton - Work hard 24/7. Everyday should be 100% Taylor Luben - Have a great team bond and don’t bring drama to the court. <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. [player_tooltip player_id="82622" first="Lauren" last="Kavan"] - Kelsie is always one player I can joke with during a game and if either of us make an error, our comment back is "you’re good brother" Our comments to each other change from game to game and they always make it fun. [player_tooltip player_id="37530" first="Mya" last="Larson"] - Kelsie Sears is a teammate that doesn’t even try to be goofy but naturally is. Her INSANE dance moves bring us all to shame (it’s a great day when we get her to dance). Spacing off in practice won’t be the same without her next year:( Kelsie Sears - [player_tooltip player_id="37530" first="Mya" last="Larson"] is the humblest person I know! Elle Glock - [player_tooltip player_id="37530" first="Mya" last="Larson"]. She always is a hard worker and you can see her competitiveness in her eyes. Taylor Luben - Kelsie Sears, always pushes me to my best. <hr /> Your favorite inspirational quote or make one up and take the credit for it! [player_tooltip player_id="82622" first="Lauren" last="Kavan"] - "Don’t wish it was easier" [player_tooltip player_id="37530" first="Mya" last="Larson"] - "You’re only as strong as your weakest link." My dad use to tell me this when I played basketball. Kelsie Sears - If you think good, you will do good, but if you think bad, you will do bad. Elle Glock - "Embrace the challenge. The more you struggle, the more rewarding it is when you succeed." Josie Sutton - You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. Taylor Luben - "If you are afraid of failure, you don’t deserve to be successful!" <hr /> You make up the question and answer it here. Be creative!!! [player_tooltip player_id="37530" first="Mya" last="Larson"] - Would you rather have a dragon or be a dragon? I would much rather have a dragon. Elle Glock - When did you start playing volleyball? I started around the age of 8-9. I then started club volleyball at 10 and 11. Taylor Luben - What’s your favorite memory at state? Winning my freshman year, literally an experience of a lifetime. GOOD LUCK TO THE WAHOO WARRIORS!