Lady Trojans place two on MidState All Conference First Team

NORFOLK — The Cedar Catholic Lady Trojan volleyball team had two players named to the 2023 Mid State All-Conference Volleyball Team recently announced by the conference coaches.

Two additional Lady Trojans were tabbed to the honorable mention list.

Senior libero and junior setter/hitter, Katy Jones and junior setter/hitter Melayna McGregor were both named to the first team after leading their team and head coach, Denae Buss, to a 17-15 season record following being a part of a state title in 2022.

Junior hitter Lauren Bernecker and senior middle Lexi Eickhoff were both tabbed Honorable Mention status by the league coaches.

The Mid State Lady Pierce Bluejays team dominated the voting by placing four players each on the elite squad.

Battle Creek joined Cedar Catholic with two selections, while Crofton, Norfolk Catholic and O’Neill each placed one.

Jones completed her Lady Trojan career with over 1,000 digs in basically, just a couple of years as a libero. Switching to the position during her sophomore season, completing the state title season and spending part of her senior season sidelined due to injury.

“Katy started her career as a hitter for us,” Cedar Catholic coach, Danae Buss said. “She was a great competitor and a very strong leader on the court.”

McGregor was a “Swiss Army Knife” for Buss and Cedar Catholic, leading the Lady Trojans in kills, ace serves and set-assists.

“Melayna stepped in as one of our leaders on and off the court this season and did a great job,” said Buss. “She’s a great competitor and we look forward to her returning next season.”

She recorded 2.3 kills per set and total on the season of 217, 46 ace serves and tipped up 335 assists and will return to add to the statistics next season.

Bernecker will also return for the Lady Trojans and Eickhoff was in the top 10 for all of C2 across Nebraska in blocks with 122 in her senior campaign.

2023 Mid State Conference Volleyball First Team Cedar - Katy Jones, Melayna McGregor. Battle Creek - Addi Taake, Sophie Humphrey; Crofton - Caitlin Guenther. GACC - Isabelle Haas, Jayden Ehrisman, Jocelyn Skoda, Kelsy Steffen. Norfolk Catholic - Avery Yosten. O’Neill - Autumn Hilker. Pierce - Jaya Wachholtz, Maggie Painter, Nora Herian, Skylar Scholting.

Mid State Conference Honorable Mention Battle Creek - Jaidyn Smutny Samantha Wemhoff, Tylar Humphrey. Boone Central - Addysen Hedlund, Kailey Patzel, Sienna Borer.

Cedar Catholic - Lauren Bernecker, Lexi Eickhoff. Crofton - Cassie Allen, Ellie Tramp, Jaisie Janssen, Maddie Eilers, Sammie Allen.

GACC - Julie Ridder. Norfolk Catholic - Anslee Watters, Sidonia Wattier, Jacey Wolf. O’Neill - Ashley Sidak, Hannah Hilker, Olivia Young. Pierce - Abby Cone, Clauia Riggert. Wayne -