The 'Eagle Times' Student Newspaper: Sports

Six seniors have led the Lady Eagles to a 31-6 overall record going into sub-state competition. (Photo by Colby Killinger)

Seniors lead Lady Eagles into post-season competition

By Shelby Kampsen

October 19, 2007

Victory is sweet, especially when it means reclaiming that delectable state title.

The senior volleyball girls have been working hard all season to reach that goal, whether it's perfecting their spikes at practice or winning a game against a tough team on the court.

Their hard work seems to be paying off. They were recently named league champions with a 9-1 record, and they boast an overall record of 31-6 going into sub-state.

Senior Cortney Immenschuh said that her team's best attribute this season is their physical strength.

"Our biggest strength is that we know that we are strong physically, and we know that we can beat any team that comes on to the court," Immenschuh said.

Senior Jordan Lockwood feels that their coach, Angie Bittner, is an inspirational person, and she really helps to motivate the team to do well in everything that they do.

"She's just a really all-around good person. She's always telling us to be honest, and she always tries to make us determined," Lockwood said.

This determination has made Lockwood a season stat leader in kills. Lockwood had 10 kills at the varsity volleyball game at Rossville on Oct. 9.

Senior Sara Wetzel believes that the team will go far this year with lots of practice and the guidance of their coach.

"I think that if we play like a team and play like we have been, that we have a really good shot at winning state again," Wetzel said.

Immenschuh said that their toughest competition so far has been Hayden and St. Marys.

"They are both really good teams, and they give us really good competition, which makes us work harder in practice to beat them," Immenschuh said.

Wetzel believes that the team's strength this year is staying focused, positive and not getting discouraged.

"We've all been really supportive of each other and all of us want to win so bad that we go after everything," Wetzel said.

With the support of her teammates, Wetzel has become a season stat leader in kills. Wetzel also had 43 assists and 10 digs at the varsity volleyball game at Wabaunsee on Oct. 2.

This senior leader goes airborne to help her teammates to victory. (Photo by Autumn Runyan)

Senior Chelsea Campbell said that blocking someone is one of the aspects that she loves the most about the sport.

"Blocking is what I love the most about volleyball because it is the best feeling in the world when you stuff block someone during a match," Campbell said.

Campbell, just like her teammates Lockwood and Wetzel, is a season stat leader in kills. Campbell had 10 kills at the varsity volleyball game vs. Rossville on Oct. 9.

Lockwood said that she admires everybody on the team.

"I admire everybody on our team, every single senior on our team because everyone brings a different aspect and a different intensity on the court," Lockwood said.

Joining Lockwood, Campbell, Wetzel and Immenschuh are seniors Amanda Pfannenstiel, a season stat leader in assists and digs, and Whitney Gillman, a stat leader in digs. Pfannenstiel made 44 assists at the league tournament this past Tuesday and Gillman boasted 23 digs.

All six seniors believe teamwork has been one of the qualities that has made them successful this season. (Photo by Colby Killinger)

Immenschuh believes that Hayden will be the team's greatest competition in the future because they have always been a challenge for the team.

"They’re really good. They've been a challenge for us all this time, and we've only beat them once out of maybe four times that we've played them, so I think that we're ready to beat them," Immenschuh said.

Campbell said that her family is one of her biggest motivators for playing well on the court.

"My family motivates me by always being at every game and supporting me," Campbell said.

Wetzel feels that she helps motivate the team by staying focused and determined.

"I always try to stay positive. I never get down, and I just try to get the team up," Wetzel said.

Immenschuh relies on her teammates to help keep her motivated throughout the season.

"The other girls on the team motivate me to play well on the court because the younger girls look up to us, and the other seniors want to do their best to show the other girls what we can do," Immenschuh said.

Campbell said that the presence of teamwork has benefited the team.

"It has allowed us to beat teams that were probably better than us because when other teams get down on each other, they argue and yell at one another, but we know how to work together," Campbell said.