Class B Norris Titans ready to prepare in the off-season to make it to championship in 2020
Even after losing six seniors from the 2018 team, the Norris Titans still had a plethora of players with varsity experience to fill the 2019 squad. With a 27-10 record this year, a Class B #4 final ranking, and only…
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Continue ReadingEven after losing six seniors from the 2018 team, the Norris Titans still had a plethora of players with varsity experience to fill the 2019 squad. With a 27-10 record this year, a Class B #4 final ranking, and only losing two players to graduation, their future looks bright.
After an early-season loss to Waverly and some setbacks at the LPS Tournament, the Titans regrouped and started to emerge. A redemption win over Waverly in the Eastern Midlands Conference championship game started their rise and continued until a Class B State semi-final loss to eventual champion Omaha Skutt.
Coach Christina Boesiger reflects on the season, “We had a great season in 2019. I am so proud of these girls and what they accomplished. I thought these girls continued to grow and learn as our season went on and we were definitely playing our best volleyball at the end of the season this year. This team won the 3rd straight EMC championship by defeating Waverly in the finals. I feel like that tournament was a turning moment for our team. The State Semi-Final game was such a competitive atmosphere to play in. It was a great all-around game. I couldn’t be more proud of this group and what they accomplished.”
Junior Middle Kalli Kroeker mentions the Titans team unity, “Our team this year was just one big happy family. We came to practices and games with excitement to play every time, and the level of hypeness we brought to the court every day was like something I’ve never been a part of before.”
After being one game away from the championship game in 2019, the young Titans believe they will take the next step in 2020. In the offseason, many of the players play high-level club volleyball and attend elite college camps. With a weekly workout regimen, team camps, and open gyms, dedication is apparent.
Coach Boesiger comments on 2020, “We are very excited about our returning team for 2020. We have 10 of our 12 varsity players returning and many had key roles in our success this year. It will be fun to see a year of growth on each player from the volleyball side of it and just getting stronger and faster as they continue to grow and mature. They were one game short of their goal for this year, so they know it is going to take hard work to get to the State Championship game in 2020.”
Photo contributed.
MADDIE CLAUSS, Senior, 5’2”, Defensive Specialist
2.4 digs/set, 3.1 serve receptions/set
As one of two seniors on the team, Coach Boesiger comments, “Maddie was definitely an unsung hero of our team. She did her job so well and consistently. She was a 3 rotation DS for our team. Maddie is a very disciplined volleyball player with great fundamentals.”
Maddie comments on the season, “Molly Ramsey and I had a great bond this year. It was fun being in the back row with her. We had great awareness on the court which helped balls stay off the floor. Our defense got so much better as the year progressed. This year we didn’t have 4 defensive specialists like we did last year so girls who weren’t a 6 rotation player last year turned into one this year. Which meant we had to work even harder in practice on defense to make it amazing.”
MOLLY RAMSEY, Junior, 5’3”, Libero
94.8% serving, 4.3 digs/set, 5.3 serve receptions/set
College – Committed to K-State
Club – Nebraska Juniors
Playing club volleyball since 1st grade, Ramsey proves to be fundamentally sound with a contagious attitude on and off the court. The primary libero for the Titans the last three years also stepped into a 6 rotation player when injuries plagued the front row.
Coach Boesiger comments on Ramsey, “I thought Molly grew a lot in her leadership and reading on defense. As the season went on, she definitely was a court leader for us. Molly also did a great job reading the opposing hitters. Molly has an unbelievable work ethic and passion for the game.”
Ramsey comments on her favorite part of volleyball, “Flying around in the back row getting touches on tough balls.”
Sophomore Setter Maisie Boesiger appreciates her back row defenders, “Maddie and Molly did an amazing job covering the backcourt. There was not a ball that hit the floor without a body on the ground with those two on the court. Everybody was engaged and ready to play the first ball.”
KALLI KROEKER, Junior, 6′, Middle
Hit .310 with 2.6 kills/set, 2.2 digs/set
College – Uncommitted, Interested in DI and DII, Would love a call from UNO, Kansas, Iowa, Iowa State, K State 😉
Club – VCN
With a decrease in the number of defensive specialists on the team this year, Kroecker became a six rotation player.
Kroecker has lofty goals for the off-season, “I want to keep improving as an all-around player. I want my serve receive, defense, attacking, and blocking to all get better.”
In addition to Kroecker being a leader on the court, Coach Boesiger remarks, “Kalli has an unbelievable work ethic as a middle blocker. She works extremely hard as a blocker and travels the net so well offensively. She is a very disciplined player and makes adjustments as she receives feedback from her coaches.”
As sophomore setter Maisie Boesiger assisted Kroecker in over 250 kills this season, “Kalli and I connected great on the court. She was so vocal and was always ready to swing. I know I can always count on her to be there and be ready.”
Photo contributed.
MAISIE BOESIGER, Sophomore, 5’6”, Setter
10.3 assists/set, 2.3 digs/set,
Club – Nebraska Premier 16 Gold
After playing a 6-2 in 2018, Boesiger took the reigns in a 5-1 system this season. Maisie appreciates the players around her, “Our offense really pushed tempo this year. We were able to do this with our passers getting us in system so much. Hitters were always ready to get in and take a swing at the ball. HItters did a great job of knowing when to rip and when to place the ball.”
Coach Boesiger comments on her daughter, “It was fun to watch Maisie and our hitters find the rhythm and connection they needed to be successful. Lots of times our hitters would be in a 1 on 1 situation and they could just rip the ball. Maisie works extremely hard while she is in the gym and knows every rep matters. She puts in countless hours outside of regular practice time to improve on her setting and defense. Maisie, being a coach’s kid, has worked very hard on the importance of disciplined fundamentals.”
Hitter Kalli Kroecker acknowledges Maisie and the Titan offense, “Our offense was one of the quickest in the state and it really gave us an edge over other teams. Our setter, Maisie Boesiger, could place the ball anywhere we needed it, and all of us hitters were able to become available each play.”
ELLA WATERS, Sophomore, 6’2″, Outside Hitter
Hit .349 with 4.2 kills/set,
Club – Nebraska Premier
Sophomore Ella Waters, who has been playing club volleyball since 3rd grade, continues to find her stride on the volleyball court. As her confidence continues to increase, her stats will continue to go up. Waters plans to attend more D1 and D2 camps this summer and college coaches should be on the lookout.
Coach Boesiger comments, “Ella had a great year as a front-row player for us. She developed her shot options and her out of system offense also improved as the season went on. She continues to learn the game of volleyball all of the time.“
Ella recalls the state tournament, “We ran a fast offense and I think the team worked really well together. One of the games that stood out to me was the semis at State against Omaha Skutt. It was a high level of volleyball that was played and our team worked really hard to be there.”
GRACIE KIRCHER, Freshman, 6’0”, Outside, Right Side
HIt .322
Club – Nebraska Juniors
Coach Boesiger comments on the freshman, “Gracie had a huge state tournament for us. She became a starter for us on the right side when we had an injury and went into the state tournament and played like an upperclassman. She led us in kills in the Platteview game.”
Kircher commented on playing at state as a freshman, “No, I don’t get nervous for big games like that. Christina put it in a good way before the game. She said I’ve played in a National Championship with my basketball team and I should have no reason to be nervous and to play my game.”
FINAL NOTES-
Ella Waters – What´s the best way to get pumped up before a volleyball game? We jammed out to music in the locker room and listened to this song called “Pipe it Up” its where we point to each other on the team and if you get pointed at you have to flex then point at someone else.
As Maisie Boesiger was born with a volleyball in her hand, sounds like little sister, 11-year-old Malorie is following in her footsteps. Malorie, Maisie claims you are a volleyball stud. Molly Ramsey, think little sister Makinley will get your volleyball skills? Opposing coaches beware, they have little sisters!
Photo contributed.