Class B Champions Omaha Skutt Catholic relives the sites & sounds of the state tournament experience
CLASS B CHAMPIONS OMAHA SKUTT SKYHAWKS The general public doesn’t understand the amount of hours and thought that all high school players and coaches put into the sport of volleyball. From club volleyball to summer workouts to conditioning to regular…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingCLASS B CHAMPIONS OMAHA SKUTT SKYHAWKS
The general public doesn’t understand the amount of hours and thought that all high school players and coaches put into the sport of volleyball. From club volleyball to summer workouts to conditioning to regular season, it’s unfathomable!
The players may not always see it, but most fans (especially mom and dad) sit on the edge of their seats in anticipation of that next play. They kick and punch and scream and feel emotions they never thought they would. All in support of the players and the team.
The adrenaline continues to run high following an amazing weekend of Nebraska State Volleyball. The goal of making it to state is high on every team’s list, but to actually win it only happens for six teams.
Class B Omaha Skutt Skyhawks (30-4), in prime form, beat Hastings, Norris, and Omaha Duchesne on their way to their 5th straight championship under the leadership of coach Renee Saunders.
Settle in out of the arctic blast to read the post-tournament thoughts from some Skyhawks players and coach to get some volleyball chills. Grab a blanket and a tissue while reliving the sites and sounds of the past week.
Congratulations on winning a state championship! What were your thoughts on match point and when the ball hit the floor for the final time?
Coach Renee Saunders
Wow! We did it! Same feeling every single time. It is the moment you realize all the time, training, and hard work has paid off.
Lindsay Krause
I think during match point it was amazing when me and my other two passers went back to serve receive with a huge smile just thinking, we’re about to do this!
Cameron Cartwright
The feeling of a 5th state championship hit which is indescribable. I got to be next to Megan Skovsende as she had her well deserved final kill for Skutt.
Allie Gray
Surreal. It’s In that moment where all of these flashes of hard practices, intense games, smiles all come back to me in one moment and remind me of all the work that was put into making this moment a reality.
Bre Skala
In the moment I was thinking about how blessed I was that I got to play with this team and how hard we worked throughout the whole season. Our saying for this year was together we will and we did it. I was so proud of my team being able to accomplish such a big moment and being able to remember it for the rest of our lives.
Megan Skovsende
My thought on match point was excitement, I felt so much joy when getting the final kill of the game that lead us to a 5peat. The last point was truly an amazing feeling because it was my last play of my high school volleyball career. I will forever remember that moment when the ball hit the floor for the final time.
Parents can be crazy sometimes. What did your parents do to support you before, during, and after the tournament?
Coach Renee Saunders
Our parents are AWESOME! From yard signs, to our pre state team dinner, to cheering and supporting at the tourney, I absolutely love our parents! They support and do it the right way.
Lindsay Krause
They are both super supportive during this time and really help me. I think especially after the tournament they really help with recovery and help me get better!
Cameron Cartwright
My parents made sure I had food and my blankets for the long bus ride to lincoln. They would bring me whatever I needed while I was at serve and pass before every game.
Allie Gray
My parents continually reminded me that they were proud of me and encouraged me to go out and do my thing. They were confident that I could handle each step with my teammates and they added their support
Bre Skala
Our parents all made signs for us saying sayings of quotes we said throughout our season. Also we had pictures of our faces in the stands along with green Pom poms.
Megan Skovsende
My parents are my biggest supporters and every game they were there cheering on the team. They would bring me food before my matches and did the little things that helped lead me to success. My mom decorates my bedroom mirror with lots of photos from the volleyball season and all kinds of inspirational quotes before the state tournament. My parents always send me text messages with motivational quotes to get me ready and excited to play. They always told me they would be there cheering me on and to have fun! I’m very thankful for my parents and all the support and opportunities they have given me.
Such great student sections and fans at all of the games! What kind of support did your team get from your community and school before, during, and after the tournament?
Coach Renee Saunders
The SC community embraces the kids doing what they love. We had awesome support from the community all three days even though football played on Friday as well.
Lindsay Krause
We usually get pretty good support!! We had tons of students at our games on Thursday and Saturday. On Friday our team had a playoff football game so most of the students attended that game, but we were lucky enough to get a few students there too!!
Cameron Cartwright
We had A LOT of amazing students at our 1st game and 3rd game. They’re always loud at our home games (we had 2 home games) and supportive of our program.
Allie Gray
Our community is so so special. We have people from all over who love to watch our high level of play. It’s so cool to look up in the stands to see my friends, family, and classmates cheering us on
Bre Skala
Our student section was amazing and they have never been louder and the support from them is a great feeling.
Megan Skovsende
The parents and student section was so supportive throughout the season and state tournament. It’s fun playing with a loud, cheering crowd because the atmosphere around you enhances the game to a completely different level.
Being a part of a team means you spend a lot of time with your teammates! What are some of your favorite memories that really stand out from the season?
Lindsay Krause
I think every time that we get to spend together is just so much fun. I love my teammates so much and I love every second I get to spend with them.
Cameron Cartwright
Some of my favorite memories are the long drives to Chicago or staying in dorms and hotels with each other while we travel. We also have some fun jam sessions in the locker room before games.
Allie Gray
Whenever we traveled out of state for tournaments, I made the best memories with my teammates. Our hotel room parties and dance sessions stand out the most.
Bre Skala
My favorite memories from my team is all the bus/ car rides and hotel rooms. We traveled a lot this season since we only had 2 home games. The car rides to Chicago were very memorable and fun.
Megan Skovsende
I had so many favorite memories from this season, like the bus rides, games, practices, and traveling to Chicago for a tournament and visiting the Pumpkin Patch. I also enjoyed our traditional scavenger hunt that we do every year. Every time I was with my teammates, I had a great time and will remember and cherish those times forever. The best memory was winning the State Tournament with my teammates who really love the game and love each other.
Your thoughts on the offseason. What do you want to work on? How are you going to accomplish your goals? If you are a senior, will volleyball be part of your future?
Lindsay Krause
Yes, I’m super excited! During this winter season, I will be playing basketball and I also play club volleyball and will use that to continue to get better for next season.
Cameron Cartwright
I’m not playing club this year but I will be training and staying in shape for my senior season.
Allie Gray
I am really driven to get stronger and develop my mental game more than anything. Learning how to be a better leader is also up there as one of my top goals.
Bre Skala
Being a junior I am so excited for the next High school season and I want to grow more as a volleyball player until next season. I will be playing at a premier during the offseason and am going to work hard.
Megan Skovsende
I’m a senior and will continue my volleyball career at Creighton University.
Playing volleyball at the next level is a big decision! What are your thoughts on if you want to play and where?
Lindsay Krause
I’m lucky enough to be committed to play volleyball at the University of Nebraska and I couldn’t be more excited
Cameron Cartwright
I’ve decided to not play volleyball in college but that’s okay because I’m okay with ending my volleyball career with my team and the program that Skutt volleyball has.
Allie Gray
I am super stoked to play at the next level in the PAC12 conference at ASU. The level of competition and desire to be great tops a lot of other programs. Most excited to be coached under some pretty amazing people.
Bre Skala
I have not decided on playing at the next level yet. I think it would be a great experience.
Megan Skovsende
I committed to Creighton my Sophomore year and I have always dreamed about playing D1 volleyball.
Add your own state volleyball memory here!
Coach Renee Saunders
The 2019 SkyHawk team was extra special because they played with so much love. Love for each other, but also love for the game. They have a passion for what they do and as a coach, there is nothing better!
Lindsay Krause
I think the most fun math this year was playing Norris in the semi-finals. That match was so exciting and we played together so much as a team and I could not have been more proud of my team after winning that match
Cameron Cartwright
My favorite memory is either punching Allie Gray on accident while I was celebrating in the huddle of the State Championship game or having Lindsay Krause knock me over because she hit me so hard in the huddle also in the Championship game.
Allie Gray
My favorite memory is that last point. Knowing I’m going to set my senior outside Megan because I knew she would terminate. In this moment and throughout the game everything was in slow motion. It was really cool to have everything come together at this final game of my junior season. All year we talked about how we would be playing our best volleyball at the championship.
Bre Skala
The locker room before the games was a great memory at state and dancing with my teammates but the dogpile in the championship will be a memory I won’t forget.
Megan Skovsende
Last year I played libero at state and this year I played 6-Rotation Outside.
MOM AND DAD, PAT YOUR DAUGHTERS ON THE BACK FOR BEING GREAT STEWARDS FOR THE SPORT OF VOLLEYBALL.
DAUGHTERS, IT’S HUG TIME FOR MOM AND DAD.