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NORFOLK — The Northeast Community College volleyball team has a roster filled with 16 Nebraskans and has what they hope to be a perfect mix of newcomers and returners. The eight freshmen and eight sophomores will hit the court for the first time in a competitive game together at 9 a.m. Friday in Garden City, Kan. when they will take on Frank Phillips College in the Scooter’s Coffee Invitational.
Amanda Schultze enters her 11th season at the helm of the Hawks and has been pleased with the balance that she has seen from her squad.
“We have a lot of potential,” Schultze said. “I have some really good freshmen and I think that the sophomores feel like they are being pushed. The younger players have come in and really have been pushing the sophomores to be better in their positions.”
Northeast tallied a record of 19-16 in 2022 and Schultze believes that having strong competition at practice every day will pay dividends in finding even more success this year.
“I think we have a little way to go yet, obviously,” Schultze said. “I don’t know how long that will take to get there, but I think that we can be a pretty good team.”
Defensive specialist Sydney Redden (Wayne) and setter Kiara Krusemark (Wayne) are two sophomores that will be counted on to lead the 2023 version of the Hawks. Redden finished 2022 third in the ICCAC in digs per set with 4.68 and was named Second Team All-Conference. Krusemark lead the ICCAC with 9.71 assists per set and was named Third Team All-Conference after her freshman campaign. Schultze knows that having those two dynamic players back at Northeast is a huge asset.
“They have lots of experience,” Schultze said. “When Sydney is out there, she is just talking, talking, talking. Kiara just knows how to run the court. I think that helps calm her hitters down and they trust her. That really gives them more confidence. She is very good about putting people where they need to be, making sure they are not out of rotation and telling them what they are hitting.”
Lauren Buhrman (Wisner) is another sophomore who will be relied on this season and the outside hitter and defensive specialist has made a reputation during her time with the Hawks of bringing energy every night.
“Lauren is great defensively,” Schultze said. “She will play all the way around on the outside. She is a go-getter on the court. She is ready to go all the time and wants to win. You can always see on her face that she wants to win. I expect her to be a big part of this team.”
As for the newcomers, Schultze is thrilled with the idea that each freshman has the ability to impact a game in their own way.
“Avery Couch (David City) is very dynamic,” Schultze said. “She can play in the middle and on the outside. She is big and very athletic. Jayden Bestenlehner (Omaha) will be a good DS for us. I look for all our newcomers to bring some competition, which they have already.”
The season is incredibly fresh and there have only been two weeks’ worth of practice to this point, but there are already a few redeeming qualities that Schultze has noticed about her group.
“They are fun to be around,” Schultze said. “They work hard when they get on the court. We can all laugh and have fun. They usually get the drills done. If I give them a drill where I say, ‘Okay, we have to get 20,’ they can usually get the drill done quickly.”
Schultze has made it a tradition of letting her team decide what their goals for the year will be and the 2023 are aiming high.
“They have a GPA goal,” Schultze said. “Obviously, nationals. Region champs. Just holding each other accountable on and off the court.”
Northeast made the DII National Volleyball Tournament every season from 2016 to 2019, and Schultze isn’t shying away from her desire to return to the big stage, but she does have some other objectives in mind as well.
“Progress,” Schultze said. “I’d like to see them get back to the national tournament, obviously. Being in the top two of our conference throughout the season. Showing up at every game ready to play and having gradual improvement.”
Hawks fans will have the opportunity to see the team at home for the first time at noon, Friday, Aug. 25 at the Cox Activities Center as part of the Norfolk Marriott Invitational.
Supporters are also encouraged to attend the Hawkeye Community College matchup starting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 29 at the Cox Activities Center where a special announcement will be made after the conclusion of the second set.
