Wewel likes potential of new lineup

Although there have been some changes in the Fremont Bergan volleyball program, Coach Sue Wewel hopes that some things will stay the same.

The changes involve replacing six seniors from last year’s 27-6 team, including Fremont Tribune All-Area picks Halie Wewel and Molly Meiergerd. Also gone are two veteran assistant coaches. Scott Painter is now Bergan’s activities director while Kate Hurst is running the school’s junior high program.

“We’ve made some changes in our defensive schemes and some changes in our offensive schemes,” Sue Wewel said. “The neat thing for me is that with a new group of girls it has given me the opportunity to re-evaluate things I’d like to change within the program. The girls have really embraced it.”

Wewel certainly doesn’t need to overhaul any aspect of her program. The Lady Knights will be looking for their fifth straight state tournament appearance and sixth in the last eight years.

“Our goal year in and year out is to go to the state tournament,” Wewel said.

Bergan starts its season today at the Northeast Volleyball Classic in Wisner. The Lady Knights face Allen at 5:30 followed by Wakefield at 6:30. The event concludes Saturday.

This year’s version of the Lady Knights has adopted the motto, “In no one’s shadow.” Wewel said the 2008 Bergan squad wants to establish its own identity.

“The seniors have waited a long time to step up to the plate as far as leadership roles,” she said. “They have been so helpful to everyone and I think they are really relishing their time on the court.”

Karen Liekhus is one of those seniors. She will replace Meiergerd as the team’s setter.

“She was a strong defensive player for us last year,” Wewel said about the 5-4 Liekhus. “She has really stepped up as a setter and in knowing the hitters. She has settled in and is doing an awesome job.”

Megan Liekhus (5-6) played a variety of positions last year, but will be on the leftside in her final prep season.

“Megan and Karen’s competitive drive make them excellent players,” Wewel said. “They do things that push everyone else on the court to do better.”

Letterwinner Kelsie Rogers, a 5-8 senior, will be at middle hitter.

“We need her enthusiasm on the court,” Wewel said. “She has great court sense of where to put the ball. She’ll provide a pretty good block for us up there.”

Three juniors will also play key roles.

Jordan Ruskamp (5-7) will be at libero and is one of the best servers on the team, her coach said. Courtney Cook, a 6-2 transfer from Fremont High School, is coming off a summer where she competed in her age division on the A-2 national team for USA Volleyball.

“Courtney is another person who could play a lot of different positions for us,” Wewel said. “She has great knowledge of the game and has great skills. We’re looking for her to be one of our terminators along with Megan and Kelsie.”

Another junior, 5-5 Kari Schmitz, is vying with Janae Radtke (5-5) for the rightside position.

“Kari reads the ball well and reacts well,” Wewel said. “Janae can go get anything.”

Sophomores Kortney Classen (5-8) and Jessy Schroedter are in contention for the other middle blocker spot opposite Rogers.

“Jessy gives us a very large block and Kortney is a court-smart girl. She can pretty much put the ball where she wants it.”

Bergan advanced to the Class D-1 state semifinals before losing to Humphrey St. Francis last fall. This year the Lady Knights move up to Class C-2. Their subdistrict includes Howells, East Butler, Malcolm and David City Aquinas while West Point Central Catholic is among the teams in their district.

“We want to take it one step at a time with our goals,” Wewel said. “These girls know in their minds what they want to accomplish. They want to work together as a unit and develop that trust and communication that will help create opportunities for them. If they do that, the other goals will fall into place.”

Wewel will be assisted this season by former Bergan players Lauren Hamilton and Becki Brown.