LAKE MILLS, Iowa — The Lake Mills volleyball team didn’t face much adversity this season as it rattled off 64 consecutive set wins to start the season en route to a 45-0 record and spot in back-to-back state semifinal berths.

During the few occasions the Bulldogs did have its back against the wall, there was its tranquil senior, Josie Brackey — smiling.

“Nobody wanted to lose,” said Brackey, who was named to the All-State First Team this season. “We had that mentality to go out each night and get that win.”

While the Bulldogs were fierce competitors, they were never rattled and never stopped having fun even when its perfect regular-season record was at stake. Brackey embodied that spirit.

She was at her best when the game was on the line and notched 832 kills over the past two seasons while leading the Bulldogs to regional titles.

Brackey finished the season with 420 kills, 74 ace serves and 254 digs — all team highs.

Of course Brackey wasn’t without help.

The hard-hitting senior played alongside senior setter Morgan Fjelstad, who was named the North Iowa Conference Player of the Year the past two seasons.

“We’ve played together forever and constantly in the offseason,” said Brackey, who was on the receiving end of nearly half of Fjelstad’s 910 set assists. “Our timing is really great and she knows my strengths. We can communicate without even saying anything.”

Brackey said she didn’t expect the Bulldogs to be as dominant as they were this season after graduating five seniors who helped lead the team to a school-record 45 wins and state finals berth the year before.

“It was a lot of girls’ first time playing varsity,” she said. “It’s hard to adjust to that but we responded really well, came together and obviously accomplished a lot.”

A lot is an understatement.

The Bulldogs remained ranked No. 2 in the state during the entire season and won its first 64 sets. Lake Mills dropped its first set in a 3-1 win over Forest City but clinched its ninth consecutive North Iowa Conference title in that match and went on to finish a perfect 40-0 during the regular season.

Four straight wins in the Region 6 Tournament sent the Bulldogs to the Class 2A State Tournament where it tied its school-record for wins in a season with a sweep over St. Albert, Council, Bluffs, in the first round. A disappointing 3-0 loss to Dike New-Hartford, the eventual state champion, in the semifinals ended Brackey’s career.

She was 90-3 over her final two seasons.

“I was really proud of this season,” Brackey said. “It was the highlight of my career.”

Looking back on her final game, Brackey said the Bulldogs weren’t ready for Dike-New Hartford’s quick offense, and while they played well, their blocking was too slow.

“It was fun,” she said. “Looking back at everything we did this season made losing that game less sad.”

Brackey made significant contributions to Lake Mills’ varsity team and realized she was a part of something special because of the community support the team received.

She said the team sold 700 T-shirts to fans before the state tournament and was escorted around town in fire trucks to wave at residents in front of their homes.

“Volleyball is a big thing in Lake Mills and everybody knows it,” said Brackey, whose sister, Jordynn, was Player of the Year in 2007 and ’08. “The community support was amazing and everybody wanted to be a part of it.”

To keep up with the town’s high expectations for its favorite team, Brackey said she felt a responsibility to work hard during the offseason.

“They’re always expecting an amazing team each year,” she said. “You have to put time and effort into the offseason and can’t just show up to practice the first day. I’m a really competitive person and always want to get better and improve.”

Lake Mills volleyball coach Jim Boehmer agreed.

“She played the game,” he said. “That is the easy answer, but that is that she did. She would come into the gym and she would play the game. Over the summer she came in anytime she could and when it was time to drill she did it.”

While Brackey’s stats stayed almost exactly the same over the past two seasons — she had eight more kills in 2011 than 2010 but the same amount of digs and same serve percentage — she felt she made improvements.

Brackey said her defense improved and she was able to better read blocks on kill attempts.

“I liked reading where the ball was going and getting there first,” she said. “I improved my shot selection.”

Boehmer said Brackey was a special player because of her work ethic.

“She loved to play the game and her desire to play was inspiring to me as a coach,” he said. “Josie is a strong young lady who has much to offer. Once tournament time started she would always elevate her game. She also improved as a leader the last few weeks of the season.”

The most memorable lesson Brackey learned over her varsity career is that she’s looked up to by younger girls in the community.

“I remember being that young and looking up to them,” Brackey said. “Now you realize: Wow, you actually did something that had an affect on them. It pushes you to be a better person and set a good example.”

Brackey, who’s also a standout softball player, said she hasn’t decided what she’ll do following graduation this spring. She plans on visiting Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Mo., for softball. She said she would be willing to play both sports in college but at this time would prefer softball.

Boehmer said he’s been lucky to have Brackey as a full-time starter for three years and will miss her on the left side of the court.

“I think I want to keep her desire to compete and play the game and continue to make that a part of our practice plan each season,” Boehmer said. “I will miss her strong character and her ability to make me think as a coach.”