Lady Tigers lose in sub-districts, finish season 6-24

Falls City High’s volleyball season ended Monday night with a four-set sub-district loss to Auburn at Johnson-Brock High School.

FC dropped the first two games to the Bulldogs before winning the third, but ultimately fell 16-25, 21-25 25-13, 22-25. 

FC freshman Alyssa Frederick was 20-for-20 serving with 12 points, including five aces, and led the team with five blocks, two of which were solo efforts. Senior Madison Olberding finished with a team-high 10 kills and 22 digs, while Junior Maygan Ramsey and sophomore Libby Bauman each recorded eight kills and finished with three and four blocks, respectiviely. Junior setter Baylee Vrtiska handed out 29 assists.

The Lady Tigers dropped their regular season finale on the road last Tuesday at Fairbury, losing to the Jeffs 25-19, 25-20 and 25-23.

Ramsey led FC in the loss to Fairbury, as she finished with a team-high eight aces and nine kills. She added seven blocks, three of which were solo. Frederick was a perfect 16-for-16 serving with 11 points and six aces, while Olberding put away six kills and picked up 18 team-high digs. Vrtiska added 18 assists and 17 digs.

FC and first-year head coach Julie Frederick finished the 2013 season with a 6-24 record, which marks the most wins for the volleyball team since the 2007 team finished 14-18 under former head coach Susan Witt.

Monday’s loss also marked the final volleyball match for Olberding, FC’s lone senior, who started two years for the Tigers.

Frederick and company should take a big leap forward next fall, after getting major contributions this season from six juniors, one sophomore and one freshman. Vrtiska, Lindsey Duerfeldt, Taylor O’Brien, Chelsea Campbell, Ramsey and Jerrica Beckner make up the class of 2015 and all have played plenty of varsity of minutes. Sophomore Libby Bauman and freshman Alyssa Frederick were key contributors this fall and should add even more returning experience.

The returning experience, combined with Frederick’s influx of energy could help turn things around for a Tiger volleyball program that has compiled a 21-134 record over the last five years.