Page 182 - 1988.Millard.North

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Coach Deb Grafentin said, "During the first gam
against Bellevue West, the look on their faces told rr
we would take state. They weren't going to let an'
one beat them." Senior Dana John and Junior Andre
Senior Karen Soukup attemps to add another kill to After putting the ball over the net, Senior Karen Sou- Shaw give their all to win the game 21-19 and latE
her record of successful spikes. When the season fin - kup watches as it passes through the hands of two Lin - take State. (S. Sartin)
ished she had a total of 345 kill s. (S. Sartin) coin Northeast players. (S . Sartin)

First State Title Reality

They had already made it to State througn
a wildcard. but they didn't want to go in
Varsity volleyboll cloimed the first through the back door. They beat Gross
sports state championship ever. both for and came in through the front door.
themselves and for the school. The first game at State was played
Reaching that point took time and against Bellevue West. MN won 15-6, and
commitment from all the players. The sea- 21 -19. After the game. Grafentin said, "I
son began at the summer team camp in honestly felt that no one could beat us. and
Lincoln. At the camp their record was 24-2. that we'd take State." They then played
The team then set their goals and North Platte, and won 15-5, 8-15. and 15-
predicated their record to be 26-3. Their fi- 7. The final game was played against Lin-
nal record WAS 26-3. Coach Deb Grafentin coln Northeast ending with 15-6, 5-15, and
said, " At the beginning of the season. we 15-2 . After they won. there was a lot of
talked about the potential we had. and emotion. Grafentin said, " This wasn't some-
who we could beat. We then looked at thing that happened in just one season, it -..
who could beat us. There were four teams. took a lot of time."
but nobody would let me put 25-4 on the Two players made the all-tourney first
chalk board. Somewhere we were deter- team. They were Seniors Karen Soukup and
mined to beat one of those teams and fin- Heather Taggart.
ish with a record of 26-3. ·' They ended the season on a high note
The season started off with a dis- and hoped to continue it through the years.
appointing loss . but they then won eleven Grafentin said, " I think we will be succesful
straight games. As the season progressed next year. We may not take State, but if
they only lost twice more and then contin- we play well, and believe in ourselves no
ued with 15 wins . matter what, we will be successful." __/
At Districts they were very motivated. -Melinda Absher-

Senior Heather Taggan snows skill in sets and pr
pares to help send it over the net. (S. Sartin)
I
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