Freeman players not as tall, but goals are still lofty
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By RON POWELL / Lincoln Journal Star
In her first three years on the Freeman volleyball team, Kelsey Schuster had plenty of upperclassmen to look up to, both literally and figuratively.
Two years ago when they won the Class D-1 state championship, the Falcons had a pair of 6-foot all-staters in Jodeen Rademacher and Kristin Kroese. Last season, Freeman qualified for the state tournament with 6-footers Erin Dorn and Kelsey Nelson as the middle blockers.
The closest thing Freeman has to a 6-footer this season is the 5-9 Schuster, a three-year starter at outside hitter and a 2007 all-stater. Only junior middle Ashley Yates is as tall as Schuster.
Extra Credit
- Jessica Fey, Crete: Had 51 kills in three matches in the Silver Star Invitational, including 21 against Kearney.
- Gina Mancuso, Papillion-La Vista: Had 17 kills in a win against Omaha Marian in the finals of the Bellevue Invitational.
- Natalie Braun and Lauren Cook, Lincoln Pius X: In a win against Lincoln Northwest in the finals of the Beatrice Invitational, Braun had 14 kills and five digs, and Cook had 29 assists, eight digs and two kills.
- Kelsey Schuster, Freeman: Had 14 kills in a win against Johnson-Brock in the finals of the Freeman Invitational and 17 kills in a win against Falls City Sacred Heart.
Living up to the lofty accomplishments of past Freeman teams is a tall order any season. Freeman has made the state tournament nine of the past 10 years. The Falcons have two Class D-1 state titles and three runner-up finishes during that span. The only volleyball coach in school history, Amy Ludwig, owns a sparkling 307-55 career record.
It may be a little different style than in the past, but this year’s team is getting similar results. The Class D-1 No. 6 Falcons improved to 5-1 after sweeping Class D-2 No. 3 Falls City Sacred Heart 25-21, 25-20, 25-23 on the road Tuesday. Freeman opened the season by winning its own invitational, overcoming a pool-play loss to Deshler to beat Johnson-Brock in the finals.
“We’ve definitely lost some size and hitting power the last couple years,” said Schuster, who pounded a team-high 17 kills and had 11 digs against Sacred Heart. “Now we’re focused more on defense and ballhandling to win matches.
“Being my senior year, the big goal is to carry on our tradition,” Schuster added. “These early matches have been confidence-boosters, but we know we can’t let our guard down.”
Schuster is one of three seniors playing key roles for the Falcons. Libero Brianna Jurgens is a returning starter who had 20 digs in the win Tuesday. Setter Cassie Veerhusen put up 23 assists against Sacred Heart, with most of those going to Schuster.
“She can be amazing sometimes,” Veerhusen said of Schuster. “I know where she likes the ball, and if I get it there, she puts it down every time.”
The opposite outside hitter, junior Shelby Mason, had eight kills against the Irish. Yates and junior Amanda Wusk are becoming more involved offensively in the middle, while junior right side Sara Marker “can get up there and pound the ball at times,” according to Ludwig.
“Hittingwise, we won’t put it to the floor every time. We have to rely on defense to keep us in matches,” the coach said. “This group of girls works hard. Getting maximum effort from them on the court isn’t a problem.”
Freeman faces a difficult schedule over the next week. The Falcons are in the Friend Invitational on Saturday, where they’ll face fourth-ranked Humphrey in pool play. Three other rated teams — Class C-1 No. 9 Johnson County Central, Class D-1 No. 10 Pawnee City and Falls City Sacred Heart — are in the MUDECAS Tournament, which starts Monday in Beatrice.
Reach Ron Powell at 473-7437 or rpowell@journalstar.com.
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