Bronco volleyball a mix of new and old in 2022

    The Wauneta-Palisade volleyball team had four seniors and two juniors to lead it this year, but mixed in younger players as the season went on.
    Seniors on this year’s Broncos squad were Halle Bardsley, Cali Cox, Chloe Stehno and Peyton Vrbas.
    First year Head Coach Staci Applegarth called Bardsley the heart of this year’s Broncos.
    “Her competitive drive, inspirational work ethic, and positive spirit will be something that will be very hard to replace next year,” Applegarth said, adding Bardsley also basically tied with junior Peyton Cox for the team’s lead in assists.
    C Cox was a major leader this year for the Broncos, both offensively and defensively, Applegarth said.
    “She played many roles for us, including back-up setter, and she stepped up and excelled in every single one. Her competitive spirit and versatility will be greatly missed next year,” Applegarth added.
    C. Stehno really stepped up for WP this year at the serving line and at the net, leading the team for both blocks and aces this season, according to Applegarth.
    “Chloe was a consistently positive leader who did whatever she could to bring out the best in every one of her teammates. She was also a great role model to show the younger girls how to positively respond to adversity on the court,” she added.
    While Vrbas might not have been a leader on the court during games, Applegarth said she was definitely a core member of the Broncos.
    “She is someone that gave 100% every day, even when it meant sacrificing her body (and she has the bruises to prove it). She showed our underclassmen a great example of how to be a great teammate and how to give your all every day,” Applegarth said.
    Juniors P. Cox and GraCee Goings also played large parts on the team.
    Goings, who led the team in digs this season, and P. Cox led WP in kills. Ryleigh McCrumb served as the Broncos’ libero.
    Getting their first varsity action were freshmen McKenna Doetker, Cheyenne Parrish, Maggie DeWester, Lilly Dinnel and sophomore Jewel Holthus.
    “Our team saw many new faces get some varsity playing time this year due to injuries and other circumstances,” Applegarth said.
    Looking over WP schedule, Applegarth said she felt like the team’s best game came Oct. 7 at Arthur County for its homecoming game.
    “The gym was not exactly a friendly atmosphere. But our JV got the momentum going with a win and we had a small contingent of fans that made the trip and absolutely lit the gym up with energy for us,” she said.     Applegarth called the game a major turning point in the season
    The win started a three-game win streak  heading into the RPAC tournament.
    “It gave us some great momentum and confidence going into the difficult games that followed,” Applegarth said.
    RPAC was a tough conference this season. Cambridge and Maywood/Hayes Center spent the season at either first or second in Class D1. Southwest was rated throughout the season in Class C2.
    Wallace went 27-6 and reached a district finals while Paxton finished 22-7.
    Those five teams accounted for nine of the Broncos losses on the season.
    WP also lost to district finalists South Platte, Axtell, Pleasanton and Garden County during its 10-17 season.