Lady B&B Falcons Volleyball Team

Success in athletics is something they've grown accustomed to at Baileyville-B&B high school and the Lady Falcons volleyball team happens to be right at the forefront of that success.

Flying through the regular season with a 35-5 record the Lady Falcons behind head coach, Jessica Koch made it the Class 1A-Division II state tournament yet again, this time looking to defend their state title. Defend their title they would as they went a perfect 5-0 at the state tournament.

Falcons as the number one seed opened pool play against the eight seed and cruised past an Elyria Christian team in straight sets 25-11, 25-19. Next up it was a tough test for B&B against Wheatland-Grinnell, but the Falcons still dispatched of their opponents in straight sets 25-13, 25-22. Finally to wrap up pool play, the Lady Falcons had their tough test of the state tournament thus far needed three sets to beat Ingalls 25-11, 23-25, 25-13 and finish pool play a perfect 3-0.

Headed into the semifinals with great momentum and confidence that Falcons continued to soar, getting past Weskan in straight sets 25-13, 25-15. That set up a one versus two seed match in the Class 1A-Division II state championship game as B&B meet up against Argonia. Falcons started set number one off fast and didn't look back to win it 25-18. The Raiders of Argonia though would fight back in set number two leading almost the entire way, until B&B made a late push to tie the game at 21-21; both teams traded blows at the end of the set but Argonia came out on top 26-24. The Falcons would not be rattled as they picked up the momentum from back in set one and propelled themselves to a 25-18 third set and the Class 1A-Division II state title for the second straight year.

The Lady Falcons saw juniors, Katie Huerter and Laura Sudbeck both make all the All-State tournament team for the second time in their careers and Ashley Kramer joined them on the team, also this year. While all three of those ladies contributed tremendously to the Falcons success, it wasn't just them the led the Falcons to the State title, as everyone contributed. Seniors, Haley Strathman, Hannah Hasenkamp and Michelle Haug all contributed greatly; as Strathman pounded the ball with impressive kills and Hasenkamp and Haug had great serves throughout the tournament.

Juniors, Ashley Schmitz and Jenny Deters both were staples up front blocking and making plays throughout the state tourney. Another junior in Cassie Hulsing had a great tournament especially in the semifinals and finals churning out plenty of kills and blocking shots, right and left. Even in light action sophomore, Sam Wessel and juniors, Megan and Nicole Sudbeck made an impact on the team.

B&B wrapped up their season 40-5 and Class 1A-Division II state champs for the second straight season. The Falcons won the Valley Falls and Nemaha Valley Invites during the regular season, while finishing second in the Twin Valley League tournament and Hiawatha Invite and also winning a share of the TVL regular season title with Washington County and Centralia.

For a full audio recap of B&B's state volleyball run view the B&B state volleyball story (click here)