Bulldogs eye return to state

It did not take long for Notre Dame Regional High School to acclimate itself to the level of play in Class 3 volleyball.

After making a trip to the state final four in 2001 as a Class 2 program, the Bulldogs finished fourth in Class 3 last season.

Notre Dame defeated St. Francis Borgia in three sets to make the trip to Warrensburg, exacting revenge on the team that eliminated Notre Dame in the sectionals in 2002.

This year's squad lost a pair of key hitters in Sommer McCauley and Emily Buehrle, but the Bulldogs still have several strong options left. Laura Browne brings her 153 kills back in the middle, and Allison Essner is back after a 248-assist season.

"We've got 10 returning players that went to state last year, and they want to go back," Notre Dame coach Tara Stroup said. "We've kind of got small goals throughout the season first."

Other players with starting experience back include a pair of strong defensive players in seniors Lauren Mehner (last year's dig leader) and Kelsey Scheeter. Amanda Essner also brings experience to the middle-hitter position.

In all, the Bulldogs have 10 seniors and three juniors on the roster.

"Every one of them will get to play. I have a reall good, deep group," she said.

Notre Dame will start its season on the road against Festus on Tuesday. The Bulldogs then host sectional qualifier Farmington on Thursday.

"Both of those should be good games, probably two of our better regular season games right off the bat," Stroup said.

Bell City begins title defense

Bell City capped off an improbable state playoff run with a Class 1 championship last year.

The Cubs entered the state sectional tournament at Advance last season with the worst record of the four teams. But just as it had done in a three-game district title win over Advance, the Cubs used spirited play in a pair of tough matches against Gideon and Bismarck to advance to the state's final four.

Once there, the Cubs climbed on the back of junior outside hitter Katie Niemczyk to bring home their second state title in less than 10 years. Niemczyk tied the state championship record with 17 kills, and set state records for kill attempts in a championship match (60), digs in a championship match (30) and digs in a state tournament (71).

Much of the championship team is back, led by Niemczyk. At 5-feet-2, Niemczyk does not match the typical height for a top hitter, but her 547 kills over the past two seasons can attest to her skills.

Bell City's biggest challenge this season will be to replace the setting skills of all-stater Whitney Abner. Abner had 32 assists in the championship match, and finished with 580 assists for her senior season. Defensive stallworths Sarah Scherer (294 digs) and Sarah Metcalf (219 digs) also were lost to graduation.

Offensively the Cubs bring back hitters Andreia Wondel, a junior who had 124 kills last year, and Emily Burch, a senior who had 142 kills as well.