This is a continuation of “The Year in Sports” story, which is featured in the Lance.

Softball:
The girls Softball team was led by coach Dunn and played a good season. They had an early setback when the team lost their starting pitcher to an injury. However, this didn’t hold the girls back and they competed in many tough games throughout the season. The early struggles they encountered were eventually adjusted. Junior Haley Malnack plays right field and it was her third season on varsity.

“It was a tough season, but by districts we were playing the best we have all year,” Malnack said.

The team got a clutch victory against Central in districts, where they strung hits together and played smart on defense. In the district championship game, the girls played Marian and sadly were defeated by Marian, who ended up winning state.

“Next year is very hopeful for us though because the senior class is very strong and hardworking,” Malnack said.

Baseball:
The Baseball team ended last season with a state title. Graduating many veteran players, the baseball team was composed of many new and young varsity players. They started the season off shaky, but throughout the course of their season, found the path to victory. They got the wins that were expected and even some unexpected ones. Junior Wyatt Gosnell played on the varsity team for his first year.

“By the end of the season we had improved a lot and felt as if we could beat any team in the state,” Gosnell said.

The boys went to Grand Island to face Papio South in the district game. After a battle in extra innings, a hard hit ball to center ended the Warriors season.

“We are looking forward to the summer because we will continue to get better,” Gosnell said. “We will definitely come out and finish strong, competing for a state title.”

Volleyball:
The volleyball team experienced many changes, one of which was new head coach, Jessica Fauss. Under coach Fauss’ leadership, the team got some great victories and played teams very close. Lincoln Southeast was a top team in the state and the girls took them to five sets.

The team was very young and has a bright outlook on next season. This was coach Fauss’ only season as head coach because she is teaching at Elkhorn South next fall. Off the court, the team got better too. Senior Jace Wieseler was an outside hitter for the team.

“We worked really well as a team and we all bonded really well,” Wieseler said. “We had our ups and downs, but we all became really good friends.”