Gering's Blomenkamp to play volleyball at WNCC

Western Nebraska Community College volleyball coach Chris Green went back to the high school he graduated from to land another volleyball player for next season.

And he didn’t have to go far – just over the river bridge – as Gering’s Brooke Blomenkamp has elected to play volleyball for the Cougars for the next two seasons.

Blomenkamp, who has been conditioning with the Cougars in the evening, said it wasn’t a difficult choice at all to attend WNCC.

“Playing here was pretty much always in my mind. I didn’t want to go too far off,” she said. “It really wasn’t a hard decision.”

The decision to come to WNCC was made easy since Blomenkamp has been watching the Cougars since she was a youngster. Plus, playing for a national championship team added some enticement.

“I have always watched them play because my dad [Neal] has always taken me to the games. I have always been a big fan,” she said. “There will be some pressure playing here, but I think it will be a lot of fun.”

Blomenkamp will be joining her high school teammate Whitney Roth next year on the Cougars. Roth signed on to be a Cougar back in November. Blomenkamp is looking forward to improving her volleyball skills under Green, a AVCA regional coach of the year.

“I hope this makes me better so I can go to a bigger school to play. It will also keep me in shape for later years,” she said. “I am real excited to be starting a new chapter.”

Gering finished last season with an 18-10 record, including an 11-1 start, which included wins against Scottsbluff, Gordon-Rushville and North Platte.

Blomenkamp was played varsity three years for the Bulldogs, and it was her junior year that the 5-8 hitter shined the most.

“I leaped up a lot during my junior year, and during my senior year I kind of hit a plateau,” she said. “I hope to jump another level playing here.

Blomenkamp will be Green’s seventh Gering High school player on the squad. Green said recruiting locally is always a plus.

“It is always nice to have local players interested in WNCC,” he said. “To get them to play here always benefits our team and the local interest in our team.”

Green is looking at the left-handed Blomenkamp to play a right-side hitter position.

“She did very well for Gering High School and with some hard work and dedication, I think she has the athletic ability to succeed,” he said.

Blomenkamp also participated on the track and field team at Gering, but has decided to forgo that sport to concentrate on her volleyball skills.

“I think there are high expectations coming here, especially when you look at the level of play,” she said. “I think the talent will be good next year and I think we will stay up there.”

Green also has added four other recruits for next season. They include 5-8 outside hitter Lucy Ann Serrano of San Juan, Puerto Rico; 5-9 outside hitter/defensive specialist Cami Wiemer of Ft. Morgan, Colo., and 5-8 setter Naomi Flinders of Provo, Utah. The fourth is a transfer from Colby Community College, 6-1 Paloma Alvarez of Manati, Puerto Rico, who is enrolled at WNCC this semester.