NORTHEAST VOLLEYBALL PREPARES FOR OPENING WEEKEND OF 2025 SEASON

NORFOLK, Neb. – After finishing the 2024 season as runners-up in one of the toughest conferences in the nation, the Northeast Community College volleyball team is ready to hit the floor and begin the 2025 campaign with four games in Garden City, Kansas on the schedule for this weekend beginning on Friday.

Amanda Schultze is preparing for her 13th season at the helm of the Hawks and is ready to see what her team is made of in game conditions.

"I feel like the more that we practice, the more excited I am," Schultze said. "We have a lot of talent, and it just has to click. The more that they play together the more that our talent is evident."

Northeast will open the season with a doubleheader beginning with Garden City Community College at 10 a.m. Friday in Garden City, Kansas followed by a matchup with Trinidad State College at 11:30 a.m.

"I'm excited to play other teams this weekend because I believe a totally different competitive side will come out from our group," Schultze said. "You can only get so competitive against your own teammates."

Schultze is looking to rely on a trio of sophomores who are back with the Hawks having a year of familiarity under their belt.

"Brooklyn Wiese (Loomis, Neb.) has been a really good leader vocally for us in every practice," Schultze said. "She is always the loudest one. Katie Borg (Wakefield, Neb.) is a good leader as well. She is very calm and is a leader in the back row. She makes everyone feel a little bit better out there. Daveigh Munter-McAfee (Wakefield, Neb.) is more silent, but we know that when games get going, she will be right there leading as well."

In the Region 11 Tournament last season, Northeast took down Ellsworth Community College at home in the quarterfinals and topped then-ranked No. 7 Iowa Central Community College on a neutral court in the semifinals of the ICCAC bracket. That experience is something Schultze plans to lean on in 2025.

"I hope that our sophomores come back with an urge to get going quicker and will bring along our freshmen," Schultze said. "I think the sophomores now realize what we have to do during the season in order to host playoff matches and get to the championship game of our conference."

When it comes to the freshmen class, there are multiple newcomers who Schultze is expecting big things from.

"Rowan O'Keefe (Clear Lake, Iowa) and Baylee Settje (Creston, Neb.) are both strong," Schultze said. "They are different, but they will both have an impact in the middle. Mckenna Jones (Yutan, Neb.) and Izabel Hollatz (Creston, Neb.) will both have big impacts and can both set up good blocks for setters. Alli Brown (Wakefield, Neb.) on the outside is very vocal, goofy and people like playing with her because she is so relaxed and likes to have fun. She works hard as well and brings it every day."

Not only does Schultze like what she sees on the court, but she is also enjoying the comradery between everyone on the squad before and after practices.

"They all get along and like to have fun," Schultze said. "Our freshmen are very open. It's easy to talk to all of these freshmen and they are sweet girls. They have good ball control for a freshmen group, and we get through drills fairly quickly."

Schultze knows that growing pains sometimes are just part of what every team goes through, but she is looking forward to watching this group improve together.

"I did tell them that things are going to be hard, and we all have to get used to playing with each other because there are so many new faces and everyone is learning," Schultze said. "Just be patient and it will come."

When it comes to overall goals, Schultze wants her team to keep it simple.

"I want them to find success and get better throughout the season," Schultze said. "I've already seen some improvements on the court in a short time. I also want them to succeed in the classroom while learning life lessons and having fun along the way."

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