GOODLAND, KS — Unfinished business seems to be the thought that comes to mind when you visit with the 2022 Goodland Cowgirls volleyball seniors & their head coach heading into the coming year.
After winning a combined 89 games over the previous three years and making it to the state tournament in each of the last two seasons there is really one thing left to do. Bring home some hardware.
“We kind of struggled at state last year but now coming back I think we want revenge,” said senior Lindsey Cure. “We really saw what we needed to work on to be playing at the higher level and it would be great to get back (to state) again.”
Eighth-year head coach Angie Brumbaugh believes that this team has what it takes to have another great season. “We do have a lot of talent, but not only do they have talent but their work ethic is just phenomenal which is why they are so good. It’s not very often where you get that combination.”
The Cowgirls have plenty of firepower to try and make it a three-peat here in 2022 as they return all but one key player from the 2021 team. Returning are three of KSHSAA Covered’s top 25 players to watch in western Kansas in Cure as well as fellow seniors Talexa Weeter & Olivia Lehman. As well as other key contributors in senior Mya Nemechek, junior’s Jaxi Mitchek, Haley Biermann, Haley Blochlinger & Brooklyn Ivans.
In fact, all of the top statical leaders from 2021 are back. Weeter had a team-high 348 kills last season. Olivia Lehman is back after leading GHS in assists & serving. While Cure was the team’s top blocker from last year & Mitchek led the team in digs.
The one thing that is still being worked out is team leadership. Gone is leader Emma Lehman who is off to play volleyball just down the road at Colby Community College but Cure, Olivia Lehman & Weeter feel like they are going a good job of sharing that leadership role.
“We kind of balance it out, Lindsey is our tough girl, I’m the sympathetic one and Talexa is a really good lead by example type of person,” says Olivia Lehman.
The other big question that comes up is how does Goodland handle the pressure of being the hunted after having back-to-back great seasons in volleyball & also coming off a state basketball title run?
“I just think being able to relax, a lot of us put stress on ourselves and worry that we know we are that good and we’re always trying to play that well but we just need to relax and work together,” Cure said.
Cowgirls will open the 2022 season at home on August 30th hosting St. Francis at the Max Jones Fieldhouse.
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Head Coach Angie Brumbaugh
Seniors Olivia Lehman & Talexa Weeter
Senior Lindsey Cure