Twenty years ago a young group of volleyball players started their season off hoping to end with a winning record. Turns out their season ended with a loss in a state championship match with silver medals around their necks. This began a three-year string of trips to the state tournament held in Warrensburg, Missouri. The 1999 volleyball team, coached by Julie Gerdes, was recently recognized at the MSHSAA State Volleyball Championships in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
On Saturday, November 9, 2019, the 1999 volleyball team made the trip down to Cape Girardeau to be recognized for winning second in the State Volleyball Tournament 20 years ago. Many of the players attended, as well as the coach, and their family members.
Before the Shamrocks headed to the 1999 MSHSAA Volleyball State Tournament, they had acquired a record of 17-11-3. Five of those losses came from Hermann, St. Francis Borgia, and Washington, who also earned second place in their class at the State Tournament in 1999.
Members of the 1999 Shamrocks included freshmen Kristina Bailey and Christy Schowe; sophomores Kendra Koch, Laura Brandt, Lindsay Meyer, Tracy Branson, and Carolyn Ruegge; juniors Crystal Hanks and Jamie Brown; and senior Kristi Ruegge.
The Shamrocks lost to Bernie in two sets: 16-14, 15-11.
In the championship match against a tough team from Bernie, Tracy Branson led the team with 2 blocks. Kristina Bailey and Tracy Branson each contributed 6 kills; Bailey had a 35.7% kill average. Laura Brandt led the team with 6 digs. Lindsay Meyer and Kristina Bailey served 2 aces each. Koch had 11 assists.
This young team would make their way to Warrensburg two more times, earning the State Championship in 2000 and second place in 2001, carrying on our Tradition of Excellence.