East aims for victory again in All-Star volleyball match

Last year's matchup was played five times at Cougar Palace on the campus of Western Nebraska Community College with the East winning 24-25, 25-13, 25-16, 25-27 and 15-12. The West leads the conference 25-16 overall in the tournament, which began in 1985.

West has also won 14 of the last 18 meetings between the two teams. Saturday's game is scheduled to start at 3 p.m.

The West team, coached by Gering's Amanda Cochran and Morrill's Sarah Walker, is known for its height and excellent jumping ability.

The East team is coached by Haley Ryan of Overton and Tammy Kenton of Sumner-Eddyville Miller. The East team has six players who are 5 feet 10 inches or taller.

West's roster also includes Sidney native Carsyn Rehling, who will run track and field at Nebraska. She's competing in her second All-Star meet in two weeks. Last Friday, she played in the Panhandle Prep girls basketball game at Scottsbluff High School and also took part in the slam dunk contest.

“It means a lot and I'm excited to get back on the court and play with the girls I played against. It's really fun to bond with them and have fun together,” Reeling said of the All-Star game. “There's a lot of talented players (on the West team). Just to be nominated for this All-Star game is a really big accomplishment.”

Reeling is 5-foot-9, but the West team has seven players who are at least 5-foot-10. Ogallala's Marlee Irvin and Bayard's Danica Hassell are both 6-foot and will play volleyball at Southern Utah University and Chadron State College, respectively.

Ella Rotherham, who stands 5ft 10in tall from Gering, will be playing her final game alongside coach and teammate Alex Gonzalez-Orozco.

“(Playing in the All-Star Game) means a lot to me and it's a testament to all the hard work I've put in this year to get better and it's a good experience to play with these girls,” Rotherham said. “It was really good to play with Alex again. We'll play against each other in college and it was good to see the coaches again who have taught me so much.”

Gonzalez-Orozco will be joining the WNCC volleyball team this fall and playing on the collegiate courts under the direction of Cougars interim coach Fatima Barza.

“I said when I came here this would be my home court, to get used to the court and the environment, so I think that's great,” she said. “Like I said before, I really like the energy here. I really like the new coach so far. I like the energy she brings and I believe she really takes care of her players and it's going to be a home-like environment here.”

Scottsbluff native Ella Foote will be attending Nebraska Wesleyan University for volleyball and will play in her hometown one last time.

“It's really special. Having played here for four years and playing with these girls, it's really cool to be able to play with them now,” Foote said. “The level of talent on this team is really special. We have a lot of different plays and techniques and I think when we put it all together it's going to be really fun.”

As of now, only five of the 26 players on the East-West team are not playing some sort of collegiate sport.

“It's a testament to the talent we have,” Foote said. “We have a lot of girls who will go on to play at the next level after this.”

Jarry McCartney, a member of Chadron's West team, said he chose not to play in college to focus on his academics.

“I want to focus on my career. I'm planning on becoming a nurse so I need to give it more time,” the setter said. “I'm sure I'll be crying tears after this because I won't be able to play in All-Star.”

“It's really cool and really exciting to be able to play in this tournament and to be able to play against these girls who have been my rivals my whole life,” McCartney said. “It's going to be bittersweet. I wish I could have played in college, but this is my last time, so I'm looking forward to it.”