Southwest Conference Preview

<p><em><strong>Ogallala</strong></em></p> <p>The Indians will undoubtedly scrap and claw to defend their 2016 SWC title. After losing six seniors from last season, they will be somewhat inexperienced. However, senior, <strong>Diana Reed</strong>, will look to lead the team as she tallied 193 kills last fall. Their unscathed record in the conference last year helped propel them to the state tournament where they lost a five-set match to Kearney Catholic in the first round.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Minden</strong></em></p> <p>A constant contender in the Southwest Conference, the Whippets will return their setter <strong>Leah Boudreau</strong> (Jr.), <strong>Jensen Rowse</strong> (Soph.) who led the team in kills with 264 in the 2016 season, as well as <strong>Janessa Madsen</strong> (Sr.) and <strong>Alexas Kuehn</strong> (Jr.) libero. Minden lost one regular season conference match to the eventual champion Ogallala, and battled with Broken Bow and McCook in the Conference Tournament. They were 21-11 on the season. The Whippets gained a new face in <strong>Emma Ryan</strong>, a transfer from Kearney Catholic and #52 rank in the class of 2018.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Gothenburg</strong></em></p> <p>The Swedes will look to bounce back from a 13-20 season last fall to compete for conference standings. <strong>Gracie Stienike</strong>, now a senior, missed last season due to injury and will definitely be a contributor to the Swedes. As will <strong>Arleigh Costello </strong>(Sr.), the teams leading attacker from the 2016 season with 339 kills.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Broken Bow</strong></em></p> <p>After graduating some key attackers, the Indians will have a new but competitive look to their team. After a great 24-8 season, they will return setter <strong>Kirsten Staab</strong> (Sr.) and OH/DS <strong>Jory Lowe</strong> (Sr.). The Indians will inevitably give conference and non-conference teams a run for their money and have the potential to be a possible dark horse in the hunt for a conference title.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>McCook</strong></em></p> <p>The new kid on the block, the Bison fought their way through conference and ending up about even with wins and losses to conference teams. With the 2016 season being their first year in the SWC, they weren’t able to fit all conference teams on their schedule. The team returns leading attacker, <strong>Riley Sis</strong> (Sr.), as well as <strong>Jaden Bryant</strong> (Sr.), and setter <strong>Holli Thomas </strong>(Sr.).</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Cozad</strong></em></p> <p>The Haymakers will return setter <strong>Bri Valenzuela</strong> (Sr.), and attackers <strong>Hanna Wright</strong> (Sr.) and <strong>Carissa Jensen</strong> (Jr.). The team is coming off of a 9-19 season.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Ainsworth</strong></em></p> <p>The Bulldogs are returning from a 5-27 season last fall and return <strong>Claire Steinhauser</strong> (Sr.) OH/S.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Valentine</strong></em></p> <p>Setter, <strong>Mataya Eklund</strong> (Jr.), will return for the Badgers as they look to improve their record after a 5-27 season last fall.</p>