SEASON PREVIEW: Cassie Eickhoff era set to begin for Beatrice Volleyball

BEATRICE, NEB. - A new era for Beatrice Volleyball is set to begin this Thursday night.

The Cassie Eickhoff era will officially get underway when Beatrice hosts Crete to open the season. Eickhoff, a Beatrice alum herself, says it was important to her to help improve the volleyball program from her own town.

“This is my home town," Eickhoff said. “I have a lot of pride to come back here and continue to develop these girls.”

Eickhoff was officially named head coach in January, having coached many years in various club leagues across Nebraska. As she returns to BHS, she says she’s tried to make the transition as smooth as possible. Captains like junior Sophie Gleason and senior Brooklyn Schafer explain why they think it has.

“I think we’ve been focusing a lot and we have a young team so we’ve been trying to get everyone in the mood to play,” Gleason said.

“I think it’s the positive reinforcement she’s given us,” Schafer said. “She’s always said good things to us, she’s given us reassurance that everything will be fine and work out.. and it’s not been negative at all and it’s been a good time.”

One of Beatrice’s three year leaders will begin the year recovering from a knee injury. Senior Annie Gleason has spent the last six months working her way back into full volleyball form after a stress fracture in her knee, something she says has given her a new perspective on the game.

“All my life it’s been sports, sports sports and I never really have had any time off,” Gleason said. “I had six months of just doing nothing.. I’ve gotten to see volleyball from an outside perspective and have gotten to use my leadership skills off the court, rather than on and I think it’s built me into a great player and person that can help mentor others.”

As Beatrice embarks on a new journey under Coach Eickhoff, she has a message to fans ahead of the upcoming season.

“I asked the parents for support… A lot of these girls are new to the positions. We graduated a class with a lot of really good players in it and they deserve time to develop and grow,” Eickhoff said. “I was telling my mom on the phone, ‘Sometimes I’m beaming with pride about how far they’ve come, but we still have a ways to go to get where we want to be,”

Beatrice opens the season on Thursday night hosting Crete. 

Thursday's varsity match can be heard on 94.7 FM/1450 AM KWBE.