Members of the 2004 team that brought home Milbank’s first volleyball state championship were honored on the 20th anniversary of their accomplishment at the Lady Bulldogs game on October 10. Steph Nygaard, Cali Gapp, Emily Adelman, Jamie Welter and Kelsey Paulson attended the reunion and recognition ceremony.
Players Becky Gomer, Candace Ebsen, Britta Hystad, Malinda Ridler, Marnie Schuneman, Haley Gonzenbach, Cassie Briggs, and Kelsey Larson and student managers Erin Karsky and Emily Lentz helped the team to victory, but were unable to attend the anniversary event. Nancy Hoeke served as the head coach and Nancy Paulson and Joanne Ebsen were the assistant coaches of the 2004 team.
The team finished their 2003-2004 season with an overall record of 32-3. During the state tournament, the fourth-seeded Bulldogs defeated Beresford in five sets. In the semi-final match they also beat the No. 1 seed Hot Springs in five sets. The championship match marked the fifth time that season Milbank faced Hamlin. They had split the previous four matches evenly – Hamlin won the first two and Milbank won the second two. The all-important fifth match completed a miracle run where Milbank defeated Hamlin in five sets to win the 2004 state championship.
The 2003-04 Team’s Achievements and Accolades:
·1. A 48-Match Winning Streak that started in September 2004 and ended with a loss to Northwestern in October 2005.
2. Four All-Conference Players: Steph Nygaard, Kelsey Paulson, Becky Gomer and Candace Ebsen.
3. Three All Tournament players – Steph Nygaard, Kelsey Paulson and Jamie Welter.
4, Two All-State Players – Steph Nygaard, who was selected for the First Team, and Becky Gomer, who received an Honorable Mention.
5. Class A Player of the Year and Miss Volleyball – Steph Nygaard
6. Class A Coach of the Year – Nancy Hoeke
7. Class A Assistant Coach of the Year – Nancy Paulson
Photo: left to right- Emily Bjordahl, Stephanie Mach, Kelsey Hansen, Jamie Conroy and Cali Anderson.
Staff
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