Shelby Bretschneider is setting the bar high in her first season as the Omaha Concordia volleyball coach.
She has guided the Mustangs to a 20-5 mark and a No. 2 ranking in Class C-1. Concordia could be on track for its first state tournament berth in eight years, the primary goal of the squad after coming up one win short of state last year.
“It’s definitely what we all want to achieve,” she said. “I’m excited to see what’s ahead the rest of the season.”
The foundation for 2025 was put in place after the Mustangs were swept by host Pierce in a 2024 district final. It was especially painful for then-varsity assistant Bretschneider, who was a three-sport athlete at Pierce.
“It was very weird, going back and playing that match,” she said. “We were a little overwhelmed that day but getting as close as we did has driven this team.”
The Mustangs graduated only two seniors off that squad and returned most of their firepower, including starting setters Natalie Perkinson and Alyse Moulton in the 6-2 attack. That duo combined for 953 assists last year and they’ve dished out 606 this season.
“Natalie is a big vocal leader for us and is always super encouraging,” Bretschneider said. “Alyse is very athletic and can really jump, so together they give us a really dynamic pair.”
Reaping the benefits of those assists have been Breckynn Snyder with 231 kills and Addie Stater with 165. The team also has been solid defensively with middle Grace Samuelson’s 50 blocks and libero Kyra McNair’s 253 digs.
“We’re still a pretty young team with only three seniors,” the coach said. “We all had a talk last summer about how our season ended and what we want to accomplish this year, so I know this was a really motivated group.”
The Mustangs started the season 9-4 before going on an 11-match win streak. That was snapped Saturday when Concordia lost to Class C-2 No. 4 West Point Guardian Angels Central Catholic at the Pioneer Classic in Fort Calhoun.
“They were the better team that day,” Bretschneider said. “It’s just something we need to learn from and make sure we improve the next time out.”
The schedule doesn’t get any easier for the Mustangs in the competitive world of Class C-1 volleyball. A match at home against 15-9 Omaha Gross will be followed by the Centennial Conference tournament and road matches against ranked foes Fremont Bergan, Wahoo Neumann and Columbus Lakeview.
Bretschneider said the team remains focused on a return to glory since Concordia reached state five times from 2010-2017 and won its only championship in 2016.
“We know it’s been awhile,” she said. “But we’ve got a great support system here and my coaching staff is amazing so we know this is something that we can achieve if we keep working hard.”
Gragert nets milestone
Congratulations to Elkhorn North coach Jenny Gragert for posting her 500th career victory last Tuesday in a five-set road win over Elkhorn South.
Gragert, who previously coached at Elkhorn High, becomes the 39th coach to achieve that milestone and the 12th among active coaches. She’s in her sixth season with the Wolves and has a record of 147-58 at the school while leading the team to state four times.
She coached the Antlers for 13 years and led her teams to eight state tournament appearances and championships in 2002 and 2004.
Vaughn wins No. 400
Congrats also go out to Elkhorn Valley coach Emily Vaughn, who notched career victory No. 400 — all with the Class C-2 Falcons.
Vaughn, in her 26th season as coach, picked up the milestone win in a road sweep of West Holt last Tuesday. She has guided her teams to seven state tournaments and is 19th in victories among active coaches.
EMC tournament Saturday
One of the most competitive conference tournaments of the season will take place Saturday when the Eastern Midlands Conference squads play at Gretna East.
Seeding for the tournament will take place Wednesday, and even that should be interesting with five teams in the Class B Top 10.
Rankings update
Undefeated Norris continues to lead the way in the overall Top 10.
The 26-0 Titans had just one match last week, but it was a tough one as Norris pulled a reverse sweep to defeat visiting Gretna in five sets. The Dragons could get a chance for revenge at the EMC tournament.
There are three new No. 1 teams this week — Milford in C-1, Johnson County in C-2 and Wynot in D-2. The 16-1 Eagles move up after former No. 1 Lincoln Lutheran lost twice to Ashland-Greenwood, the 21-0 Thunderbirds slip ahead of Norfolk Catholic and the Blue Devils move past Cambridge into the top spot.
Top matches this week
Class A: Tuesday: Elkhorn South at Lincoln North Star. Wednesday: Lincoln Southwest at Omaha Marian. Thursday: Papillion-La Vista South at Elkhorn North; Omaha Marian at Lincoln Pius X. Saturday: Millard South Invitational; Lincoln Southeast triangular.
Class B: Tuesday: Aurora at Seward. Saturday: EMC tournament (at Gretna East); Omaha Skutt SkyHawk Invitational.
Class C-1: Tuesday: Lincoln Lutheran at Lincoln Pius X; Ogallala at Gothenburg. Thursday: Minden triangular; McCook at Gothenburg; Holdrege at Adams Central; Louisville triangular. Thursday-Saturday: Centennial Conference tournament.
Class C-2: Tuesday: St. Paul at Columbus Lakeview; Centura at Hastings St. Cecilia; Thayer Central at Sutton.
Class D-1: Tuesday: Howells-Dodge at Stanton. Thursday: Shelton at Kenesaw; Ansley-Litchfield triangular; Sutton triangular; Thayer Central at EMF.
Class D-2: Tuesday: O’Neill St. Mary’s triangular. Thursday: Clarkson/Leigh at Humphrey Archangels; Sandhills/Thedford at Mullen.
mike.patterson@owh.com, 402-444-1350, twitter.com/MPattersonOWH
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