Mustangs tally remarkable state record

Look all across America, and you will find few teams with a better record than the Republican Valley volleyball team in the past four years. During their incredible run of success, the Lady Mustangs have compiled 98 victories and only four defeats.

That figures out to a 96-percent-plus winning rate, far better than the winning marks of top college and professional teams in any sport.

After another highly successful season in 2001 -- in which RV won 22 matches and lost only two -- the Mustangs are headed to the state tournament again. The Republican Valley girls earned the right to play in the D-1 state tournament by beating Sargent in the district finals.

The Lady Mustangs will open play Friday at 2 p.m. against Blue Hill at the Lincoln East High School Gymnasium.

If they're triumphant in the first round contest, the Lady Mustangs will play the Howells-Falls City Sacred Heart winner in the semi-finals. That contest will be at 8:30 p.m. Friday night at Lincoln East.

The finals -- to determine the 2001 C-2 state champion -- will be at 5 p.m. Saturday evening in Pershing Auditorium in Lincoln.

This is familiar territory for the Lady Mustangs, who earned state titles in Class C-2 in 1998, 1999 and 2000.

How have the Mustangs had such a long stretch of success? Two things stand out in Coach Dennis Troester's mind. First is the fact that all members of the team have roles to play and they give those roles their all. "The role could be duplicating an opponent's serve in practice, but -- in the overall scheme of things -- that could be one of the most important roles of the week," he said.

While a few players get the headlines, Coach Troester said it is often the play of others -- through passing and defense -- that is the key to success.

A second essential ingredient is a focus on fundamentals, the coach said. Starting as early as grade school and junior high, RV players are encouraged to learn the basics and practice them diligently.

Those are words worth heeding, as shown by Coach Troester's record in 27 seasons at Republican Valley. In that time, his teams have won 476 matches and lost 89 for an excellent 84 percent winning percentage.

As the Mustangs head for state again, we wish them continued success. Best wishes, also, to the Southern Valley Eagles, who will play West Point Central Catholic in the first round of the Class C-2 state tournament. The Eagles, who have a 17-11 record, open state play in Waverly at 2 p.m. Friday.

The "Valley" girls of Southwest Nebraska have made us proud with their volleyball accomplishments in 2001. Let's join in cheering them on in the state tournament.