“And the Lincoln Lutheran Warriors are PERFECT in 2022!” exclaimed the TV announcer as Coach Ziegler’s volleyball players rushed to the middle of the court in a dog pile of hugs and tears to celebrate their back-to-back state championships AND a perfect season. Then, in 2023, they returned to the state tournament to defend their title. At the end of the championship game came that familiar sound of the announcer shouting. This time he said…“THREE straight state championships for Lincoln Lutheran!” Coach Ziegler and her team had done it again!
Three straight state championships is among a long list of Sue Ziegler’s accomplishments. She’s known as one of the best volleyball coaches in the state, region AND the nation. Over the years, she’s led the Warriors to 14 state volleyball tournaments, including five championships and three runner-ups. She’s racked up 560 wins in 26 seasons. She’s been named ‘Coach of the Year’ by numerous organizations including the NSAA’s Regional Volleyball Coach of the Year, Nebraska Coaches Association/Hudl Volleyball Coach of the Year, Lincoln Journal Star’s High School Coach of the Year, and KFOR Sportscasters Coach of the Year. She was inducted into the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2020 and named National Coach of the Year by the American Volleyball Coaches Association in 2021.
But to her players and students, her accolades fall short of describing the true impact she’s had on their lives.
“I’ll forever remember hugging Coach Z after we won the state championship in 2004. She always reminded us that God delights in watching us play for His glory. I still think about that decades later as I go through life. That huddle message turned out to be the ultimate lasting lesson.”
~ Ally (Money) Mendenhall, Class of 2005
“One of my favorite memories of Coach Ziegler happened after I graduated from Lincoln Lutheran. I was doing a podcast for a college class and Coach Z co-hosted an episode with me. It goes to show how much she cares about her players and how big of an impact she has on them beyond Lincoln Lutheran.”
~Paige Trutna, Class of 2020
“When I was a struggling underclassman, Coach Z stayed after practice with me and tossed me dozens of repetitions. Then, we celebrated with treats from her snack drawer. Her one-on-one time with me was an investment in me as a player AND a person.”
~Katie (Willet) Reutzel, Class of 2002
“Playing under Coach Z was such a blessing. She’s the type of person you only meet once in a lifetime. I’ll never forget when we were embraced in a hug after the 2021 State Championship game and she told me how proud she was of me. She always ensured that each of us was the best player AND the best person we could be.”
~Raegan Holle, Class of 2022