By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Injuries are part of sports at times, and how a team responds can determine its success.
That was the case for the Logan-Rogersville Lady Wildcats in 2022 – both in the preseason and in the postseason. First, Kita Wood went down the day of the team’s jamboree. Then, Lori Ann McClellan and Olivia MacPherson were injured during the Class 2 District 4 championship.
“I thought then that we may struggle a bit (when Kita was injured),” said Logan-Rogersville coach Brett Wubbena, who is 169-131-7 in 15 years leading the Lady Wildcats. “The other girls on the team had the opportunity to step up due to the injury and gain valuable experience. That is what they did.
“Many less-experienced players took advantage of the time and really improved throughout the season. Kennedy Hays, Alex Wubbena and Chloe Schaefer, as well as several others, improved drastically the first several weeks of the season.”
That experience benefitted the Lady Wildcats as they finished 17-6 overall, 5-1 in the Big 8 Conference and made a postseason run all the way to the Class 2 quarterfinals. They lost to Mary Institute-Country Day School (MICDS), which went on to win the state title.
Wubbena said his team learned to “work on the basics and take advantage of the opportunities that every season presents to you.”
The Lady Wildcats return three decorated players from that quarterfinal team in twins Nikki and Kita Wood, and Aisley James.
• Nikki Wood, a senior forward, was a Class 2 All-State first-team, Class 2 Region 2, all-district first-team and MVP, and all-conference first-team selection. Wubbena describes her as a “great player and teammate.”
• Kita Wood, a senior midfielder, earned second-team all-district and all-conference honors. “Kita is an outstanding all-around player. In the past, she has had some bad luck with injury, but definitely is a playmaker.”
• Aisley James, a junior defender, was named to the all-district and all-conference second teams. “Aisley was an outstanding defender late last season.”
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The Wood Sisters are closing in on record-setting careers at Logan-Rogersville as Nikki could become the top goal scorer and Kita could claim the assists record.
Also “returning” for the Lady Wildcats is coach Cami (McBride) Chance, a former player for Wubbena early in his career at Logan-Rogersville.
Wubbena, who was named Class 2 Region 2, Class 2 District 4 and Big 8 Conference Coach of the Year last season, said he has had more players interested in soccer this year.
“We have a lot of freshmen who will be competing for a varsity spot,” Wubbena said. “For all of the spots that became vacant with a senior leaving, we have girls who will be competing to take them.
“We are starting the season with a couple injuries that will hurt us at the beginning but will present an opportunity for another player to show herself. Kallie Terrell will be coming off a broken foot and Alex Wubbena has a torn quadriceps muscle. Both girls contributed a lot last season to our success. This will look like a very different team this season.”
The Lady Wildcats lose five players to graduation in Lori Ann McClellan, Olivia MacPherson, Kiera Clark, Kaitlyn Standefer and Lindsey Shepard.
• Lori Ann McClellan (midfielder) – Was a second-team all-state, all-region and first-team all-conference selection; now playing at Evangel University. “We will miss her leadership and energy,” Wubbena said.
• Olivia MacPherson – “We’ll miss her work ethic and drive.”
• Kiera Clark (goalkeeper) – Named second-team all-district and district Goalkeeper of the Year, and second-team all-conference. “We’ll miss her team attitude and her presence in the goal.”
• Kaitlyn Standefer (defender) – An all-region, first-team all-district and Co-Defender of the Year, and first-team all-conference selection; playing at Evangel University. “A strong defensive presence.”
• Lindsey Shepard – Earned all-conference honorable mention honors. “We’ll miss her coachability and work ethic.”
The Lady Wildcats will host a jamboree with Ozark and Springfield Catholic on March 10 before opening the regular season at home against Fair Grove on March 21.
“We are more athletic than last year overall,” Wubbena said. “I love the ‘team’ camaraderie. For as good as Nikki and Kita have been the past few years, they are the nicest, most positive and encouraging players to the rest of the team. I think we have a good balance between new and experienced players.”
