Missouri River Conference Preview: Bishop Heelan!
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2020 SEASON RECORD: Conference record 4-3, overall record 12-18. The Crusaders’ season ended in a Class 3A Region 2 Quarterfinal match where they were swept by MOC-Floyd Valley. COACHES: Head Coach Lauren Brobst Assistant Coach Cassie Clark Assistant Coach Kate…
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Continue Reading2020 SEASON RECORD: Conference record 4-3, overall record 12-18. The Crusaders’ season ended in a Class 3A Region 2 Quarterfinal match where they were swept by MOC-Floyd Valley.
COACHES:
Head Coach | Lauren Brobst |
Assistant Coach | Cassie Clark |
Assistant Coach | Kate Den Herder |
Assistant Coach | Olivia Sulentic |
Manager | Maddie Gengler |
Manager | Ava Moravek |
All but three players for the Crusaders played in at least 76 of 79 total sets. Those playing less were freshmen, Alyssa Rehal and Julie Verzal, and junior, Brooklyn Moreno. Let’s see where the production for Bishop Heelan came from with the following players.
GRADUATED:
Jordyn Knapp (S)
Knapp played in 76 of 79 total sets her senior year and had 2.6 APS, 19 kills, 1.0 DPS, and 22 service aces with a 91.2% serve efficiency.
Anesa Davenport (L)
Davenport had 33 assists, 5 kills, 4.6 DPS, and 14 service aces with an 89.1% serve efficiency.
Avery Nelson (OH)
Nelson had 1 assist, 1.9 KPS, 50 total blocks, and 8 digs.
Lea Pederson (MH)
Pederson played in 76 of 79 sets her senior season and had 3 assists, 45 kills, 22 total blocks, and 30 digs.
Ellie Gengler (S)
Gengler played in all 79 sets for the Crusaders her senior season and had 4.8 APS, 23 kills, 1 total block, 1.4 DPS, and 21 service aces with a 97.4% serve efficiency.
Looking at these numbers it looks like Bishop Heelan lost both of their top setters and one of their top setters. This can make things difficult in the coming year. Let’s see who is left for the Crusaders for the 2021 season.
RETURNING PLAYERS:
Brooklyn Moreno (2022, DS)
Moreno played in only one set for Heelan in 2020. She did have 3 digs, 1 service ace and 100% serve efficiency. This could mean she has skills and just hasn’t gotten her chance to shine yet. It will be interesting to see what happens for her in her final season for the Crusaders.
Ava Higman (2022, DS)
Higman played in 76 of 79 sets in her junior season and had 3 assists, 12 kills, 2.1 DPS, and second-highest on the team 25 service aces with an 88.3% serve efficiency.
Joslyn Verzal (2022, S)
Verzal played in all 79 sets for her junior season and had 4 assists, 1.4 KPS, 24 total blocks, 2.5 DPS, and a team-high 31 service aces with an 89.0% serve efficiency. Seems like a true 6-rotation player and one the coaches will be very happy is coming back for her senior season.
Kenley Meis (2023, OH)
Meis played in all 79 sets in her sophomore season and had 2 assists, 1.1 KPS, 20 total blocks, and 3 service aces with a 100% serve efficiency, going 12/12 on the service line. I expect she will need to step it up for her junior season to help the Crusaders keep the competitive edge.
Lauren LaFleur (2023, RS)
LaFleur played in all 79 sets in her sophomore season as well. She contributed 1 assist, 1.2 KPS, a second-highest total blocks number of 55, and 18 digs.
Grace Nelson (2023, MH)
Nelson played in all 79 sets for the Crusaders her sophomore season and contributed 4 assists, a second-highest 1.6 KPS, a team-high 83 total blocks, 53 digs, and 20 service aces with an 88.8% serve efficiency. The coaches for Heelan will be happy to see her come back for her junior season.
Also returning for her senior season in 2021 is Anna McCarthy (2022, MH) and for their sophomore seasons, Julie Verzal (2024, OH) and Alyssa Rehal (2024, DS). Heelan has a lot to replace but also has a lot of talented youngsters waiting in the wings. Without having seen these youngsters play yet, I hesitate to say for sure if it will make up for what they lost. I believe how the Crusaders’ coming season plays out is in the hands of the only setter on the roster I see that is left after graduation last May. A lot will be riding on Joclyn Verzal’s shoulders but it seems like she should be experienced enough to carry them through in the fall. Good luck!