2008 Season Outlook
Submitted by Coach Nik Butenhoff

After graduating 8 seniors from last year’s 10-6 Lady Bucs volleyball team, the 2008 squad will have many holes to fill.  The team has a great mix of seasoned veterans and up and coming young stars.  The team features 5 seniors, 4 juniors, and 4 sophomores.   Quickness on defense will be the focus of this year’s team and will serve as a valuable asset.  The Bucs will look to Senior Defensive Specialists Nicole Boucher and Dani Kniep to be key members of this defensive focus.  Alexa Yerk and Korissa Steger will provide the senior leadership on the offensive attack.  Junior Heather Hyland will add offensive firepower as well as stability in serve receive as she returns for her second stint at the varsity level.  Other Juniors who are new to the squad this year include Shawnika Harris, Ashly Brown, and Tayler Pesava.  The four sophomores looking to earn varsity letters are Genna Frederick, Amanda Stroud, Katie Carroll, and Patricia Mayer.   

The conference will once again prove to be one of the best in the area. Hononegah will look to defend their thrown at the top of the conference.  Freeport returns the majority of their team from last year which finished second in the conference.  The Lady Pretz could prove to be one of the stronger teams in the state.  Guilford returns much of their varsity team from last year and should be much improved.  Harlem losses their star player from last year’s team (Jenny Jones), but have plenty of young talent to stay strong in conference play.  Rockford East should be solid and Belvidere North will reap the benefits of some strong senior leadership.     

The NIC-10 will be a great conference for volleyball in 2008 and you can bet that the Lady Bucs will be right in the mix of things.  If you get a chance come out and support the Lady Bucs and be a part of the loudest gym in the NIC-10.