Unproven group tries to build on Bulldogs' winning tradition

A fourth consecutive trip to the state final four narrowly eluded Notre Dame last season, but the program's continued success has put high expectations on a relatively untested group this season.

Dealing with high expectations is nothing new for the Notre Dame program. The Bulldogs made three straight trips to the state championship game before falling in the quarterfinal round last season. Each year as the Bulldogs lose quality seniors, others step up to take their place.

"Every year is a new year, and you never know what's going to take place," coach Jerry Grim said.

This year, the Bulldogs will have to make up for the scoring of guards Sommer McCauley and Sierra Ellis. McCauley provided much of the offense for Notre Dame last season, scoring from the outside as well as the inside en route to Southeast Missourian Player of the Year honors. Ellis played the point for Notre Dame and added outside shooting. Also lost to graduation were center Katie Palmer and guards Laura Weissmueller and Amanda Dirnberger.

Amber Karnes, a 5-foot-8 senior guard and part-time starter last season, will be one of this year's leaders. Karnes, Rachel Weidenbenner and Amanda Essner will be the only seniors for Notre Dame. Senior Alana Weissmueller, who saw considerable playing time last season off the bench, injured her knee the first day of practice and will be out for the season.

Grim said he's hoping this group of seniors -- including Weissmueller, who he hopes will still be a part of the team -- will provide the strong senior leadership his past teams have enjoyed.

"You always hope. Without that leadership, a team can kind of flounder," he said.

Weidenbenner (6-0) and Essner (6-1) will work the inside for Notre Dame. Essner saw some varsity time last season, while Weidenbenner missed the season with a knee injury. Kristain Burger, a 5-11 sophomore, likely will start at the small forward position.

"I think we'll be fairly strong inside," Grim said.

At the guard position, twins Allison and Amanda Toole likely will see plenty of minutes. Both Allison and Amanda, 5-8 juniors, could see time at shooting guard and small forward. Merideth Medlin, a 5-7 sophomore, should see playing time at the point.

Grim said finding an outside scorer will be important.

"What we have to figure out is who's going to be the scorer outside," he said. "Hopefully, Amber [Karnes] is the one."

Sophomores Bailey Reutzel (5-7), Emily Blattel (5-7), Miranda Schlosser (5-8), Claudia Brauss (5-11) and Brooke Beussink (5-6) round out the roster.

"The team is still working to try to discover what kind of team they're going to be," Grim said.

The Bulldogs will open in the Farmington Tournament that begins Monday and will have a challenging schedule as usual. Notre Dame will host St. Joseph's Academy on Jan. 7.

"We play a tough schedule. Hopefully, at the end of the year, that schedule's going to help us be ready to play the teams in our division," Grim said.

Notre Dame's players should be helped by an impressive fall for several of the girls. Burger, Reutzel and Schlosser were key players on Notre Dame's third-place softball team, while several other players helped the volleyball team make it to the quarterfinals.

"That's one thing you can't teach them. They have to experience the joy of winning and the pride," Grim said. "Hopefully our girls have had enough experience at it that they're going to want it."