Lady Warriors make history

By Dan Bechtold
Editor

The Winner girls continue to make history.

Last year the girls played in the state volleyball tournament and this year the girls are headed back to state. This has never happened before and is an accomplishment for the Lady Warriors.

This back to back state volleyball tournament appearance comes on the heels of the Winner girls winning their first ever state basketball title last year.

The Lady Warriors took care of business in the SoDak 16 last Tuesday in Parkston as they defeated Hamlin in four sets.

The state tournament is Nov. 21-23 in Rapid City. Winner will play on Thursday at 3:45 p.m. as they face Sioux Falls Christian.

Some of the girls on the volleyball team talked about their excitement to play in a state tournament.

Senior Morgan Hammerbeck, one of the team’s top hitters, noted it has been a goal since last year to make it back to state.

“To see it come true is a good feeling. It is an accomplishment but we are not done yet,” she said.

Last year in the first round Winner lost to Elk Point-Jefferson. “We want to do better this year. The girls are more experienced.”

Hammerbeck said the team is vey close. “We have been on a lot of team bus rides which allows for team bonding. Everyone looks out for one another.”

Addy Root, the other senior, is excited to see the team make it back to state.
Shannon Calhoon says playing at state is a fun experience. “We can do anything and this team can go all the way if they play their heart’s out.”

Prior to the back to back state tournament ride, it had been five years apart each time Winner went to state. Calhoon said now the five year curse is broke.

Calhoon explained members of the team like each other and have bonded over the years. “We trust each other and we do what has to be done for each other. We don’t play for ourselves.”

Kalla Bertram is a junior and says it is exciting to play at state. “It is an amazing experience,”she said.

After losing the third set in Parkston, Bertram noted the team came back strong as ever in the fourth set.

“We have grown as a team and playing at state for the second time means “
When asked what she looks for at state, Bertram said the great competition. “The teams are all good and we match up with them.”

Knowing Winner would return a lot of players from last year’s team, coach Jaime Keiser said the goal is to make it back to state.

Keiser says the girls wish they could have last year’s first match back. That is when they fell to Elk Point-Jefferson.

Every five years the Winner volleyball team has made it to state. They were there in 2008, 2013 and 2018. Keiser said it seems it was every five years but now that five year curse has been broken.

The coach noted the team’s schedule has prepared them for post season play and those tough matches.

In looking at Sioux Falls Christian, Keiser says they have won state many times. She pointed out this year Sioux Falls Christian is not the dominate team they have been in the past.

“If we show up and play well we can give them a good match. We are just as good a team as they are and we have to make sure we believe that,” said the coach.

The top hitters for Winner have been Morgan Hammerbeck, Ellie Brozik and Kalla Bertram.
Hammerbeck recently got her 1,000 dig and kills. Mackenzie Levi recently received her 1,000 assist.

Keiser says this team gets along very well and they jell together both on and off the court. “They make things fun. They are serious and competitive but they like to have fun,” said Keiser.

Each day of post season preparation at practice has been special theme day. One day was wear your wierdest shirt and other was twin day.

Keiser explained there is no drama on the team. “They don’t care who gets the assist or the dig as long as they are working together and winning. That is all that matters to them,” said the coach.

The Lady Warrior volleyball team is psyched and ready for some state competition.