Editor’s Note: 605 Sports will unveil team preview capsules on all volleyball classes leading up to the 2023 season openers. The information provided was submitted by coaches in response to an email sent by 605 Sports. 

Warner continued its Class B volleyball dominance last season, earning its eighth state championship in program history. The Monarchs have captured the past two state titles and are gunning for their second three-peat in program history this season. 

Warner, who returns two all-state performers in Ava Nilsson and Lauren Marcuson, will again be among the Class B contenders. The Monarchs received 12 of the 14 first-place votes and were ranked No. 1 in the Class B preseason poll. 

Chester Area, which finished as the Class B runner-ups, was No. 2 in the preseason poll and received a first-place vote. Warner’s conference rival and perennial power Northwestern is No. 3 in the preseason poll, earning the other first-place vote. Burke and Colman-Egan, a pair of 2022 state tournament volleyball participants, rounded out the top-five teams in the preseason rankings.  

Team capsules (listed in alphabetical order): 

Arlington

Coach: Josie Weber 

Key returnees: Dakota Flanery, senior; Jada Henriksen, senior; Harley Johnson, senior; Aubree DeVries, senior; Maysa Baldwin, senior; Addie Steffensen, junior; Jo Steffensen, junior; Lizzy Rowen, junior; Elli Vincent, junior; Madi Bacon, junior; Sony Johnson, sophomore; Jaelyn Huntimer, sophomore; Halley Miller, sophomore; Hailey Rowen, sophomore; Jordan Spilde, sophomore.

Top newcomers: Maria Steffensen, freshman; Issie Steffensen, freshman; Madalyn Madsen, freshman; Jersey Richards, freshman; Autumn Clark, freshman.  

Outlook: The Cardinals graduated a host of contributors from last season’s team and will usher in a new set of players under coach Josie Weber. 

“We graduated a number of committed seniors last year,” Weber said. “So we are looking for a lot of girls to step into new roles this year. The girls have worked hard this past summer and we are looking forward to a season of growth and good competition.”

Avon

Coach: Lindsey Fathke (164-105 coaching record) 

Key returnees: McKenna Kocmich, senior, setter; Courtney Sees, senior, outside hitter; Lila Vanderlei, junior, middle hitter; Lexi Vanderlei, sophomore, outside hitter; Macy Voigt, junior, RS; Kinley Doom, junior, middle hitter; Grace Vanderlei, senior, outside hitter. 

Top newcomers: Jordyn Voigt, freshman, DS; Rilyn Thury, freshman, outside hitter; Kaeli Wallinga, junior, middle hitter; Karlie DeVries, junior, RS. 

Outlook: The Pirates bring back three all-conference performers — McKenna Kocmich, Courtney Sees and Lila Vanderlei — from last season’s 9-18 team. Kocmich, a senior setter, has more than 1,000 career assists and will again pilot the Pirates’ offensive attack. 

“The Lady Pirates have been working hard in the off season and finding their role,” Avon coach Lindsey Fathke said. “Our goal is to keep improving from last season and see what we can accomplish. We are looking forward to a great year.”

Burke

Coach: Billie Jo Indahl 

Key returnees: Elle Johnson, 5-4, Libero, senior; Piper Hanson, 5-8, middle hitter, senior; Kailee Frank, 5-9, outside hitter, junior; Ava Hausmann, 5-11, right side hitter, senior; Paige Bull, 6-1, middle hitter, junior; Ava Sargent, 5-4, junior, setter; Emmie Hausmann, 5-10, sophomore, outside hitter; Johanna Vaughn, 5-8, right side hitter, senior.

Top newcomers: Kyrie Matucha, DS, sophomore; Olivia Bull, RS, junior; Addi Hood, RS, junior; Bridget Eliason, setter, junior.  

Outlook: The Cougars placed fourth at last season’s Class B state volleyball tournament and bring back a number of key contributors from the 32-6 team. Elle Johnson, Kailee Frank, Paige Bull and Emmie Hausmann were all-conference players, while Frank was an honorable mention all-state selection. The outside hitter recorded 379 kills, 385 digs and 75 aces her sophomore season. 

“We look to make another run this season in hopes to get back to the state tournament, as we have a great group of returners with valuable court experience,” Burke coach Billie Jo Indahl said. “We did lose some very key players. So we do have some key positions to fill. We will have a strong core of senior leadership with veteran experience. These athletes put a lot of time in the offseason to build on their skills and we really look forward to the upcoming season.”

Canistota 

Coach: Morgan Lentz 

Key returnees: Natalee Hofer, senior, setter/RS; Natalie Becker, senior, Libero; Sierra McGregor, senior, middle hitter; Kayla Papendick, senior, outside hitter; Bailley Spicer, junior, setter. 

Top newcomers: Emma Sandman, sophomore, outside hitter; Ellie Becker, sophomore, middle hitter; Ember Schenkel, sophomore, DS. 

Outlook: The Hawks bring back six key players — five seniors — that coach Morgan Lentz will rely heavily on this season.

“We are returning a great group of seniors and we’re looking forward to surprising teams this season,” Lentz said. 

Colman-Egan 

Coach: Abigail Dockter  

Key returnees: Lanie Mousel, Daniela Lee, Brynlee Landis, Kaylee Voelker, Presley Luze, Elaina Rhode

Top newcomers: Anna Zwart 

Outlook: Colman-Egan placed seventh at last season’s Class B state tournament and will bring back a host of returners, including all-state outside hitter Daniela Lee (268 kills/150 blocks).

“We should have a very competitive team returning,” Colman-Egan coach Abigail Dockter said. “We have very strong hitters and key blockers in the front row, with a lot of quickness in the back row. Most of the girls are veteran players who have varsity experience so we are hoping that will help us be successful this year. We’re extremely excited to get this season started and are hoping to have another successful season.”

Corsica-Stickney 

Coach: Kylee Hongslo

Key returnees: Jacey Kemp, 5-9, senior, outside hitter; Ashlyn Leifers, 5-8, senior; outside hitter; Sophie DeLange, 5-10, sophomore, S/MH; Brooklyn Bosma, 5-10, sophomore, middle hitter; Cali Vanden Hoek, 5-4, sophomore, Libero.

Top newcomers: Braylee Bordewyk, 5-7, freshman, S/RH

Outlook: The Jaguars will again have young players across their roster, but coach Kylee Hongslo is hopeful the team will make strides this season.

“We have a young team again this year,” Hongslo said. “But a lot of my young players played varsity last year also. So we are excited to see how they play with more confidence this year. We have to fill our setter position as our setter from the past three years graduated last year. This will be our challenge but I have confidence in my players who are willing to step up and take that role.”

Dell Rapids St. Mary 

Coach: Kellsie Hoffmann

Key returnees: Jaycee Tebay, 5-9, senior; Megan Geraets, junior; Brianna Griffin, 5-7, junior; Brianna Lindeman, 5-8, senior.

Top newcomers: Reagan Griffin, 5-4, freshman; Emersyn Herber, 5-10, freshman; Jodie Klein, 5-7, junior. 

Outlook: The Cardinals, under first-year head coach Kellsie Hoffmann, return four key contributors from last season’s team. Seniors Jaycee Tebay (55 blocks) and Brianna Lindeman (707 assists/53 aces) will headline the returners, along with junior Megan Geraets (49 blocks) and Brianna Griffin (168 kills/48 aces). 

“Coming into this season, we are creating a new culture on and off the court,” Hoffmann said. “As a young team, we will focus on gaining confidence as a team and individual players.

These players are ready to face challenges, diversity and work hard to achieve their

goals together. I am eager to see them strive this season and broaden their horizons.”

Ethan

Coach: Mary Beyer  

Key returnees: Maddy Bartscher, senior, 5'6, setter; Ava Lingemann, senior, 5'7, OH; Claire Mellegaard, senior, 5'8, RS; Marissa Storm, sophomore, 5'9, middle; Rachel Wiesz, sophomore, 5'4, DS; Rachel Klock, sophomore, 5'9, middle.

Top newcomers: Mariah Royston, junior; Ali Moke, sophomore, setter; Makenna Termeer, sophomore, setter; Anna Mellegaard, freshman, hitter

Outlook: The Rustlers bring back six key players from last season’s 13-17 and coach Mary Beyer said they’ll take a different approach this season. 

“This year we have a different strategy going into the season than last year,” Beyer said. “Our team is going to really focus on our strengths. Focusing on where we are, keep on improving and involve as a team. We might not have the height but we will make up for it with the drive each individual player has for the sport. Ethan has a great group of girls out for volleyball and we will have to see if it all comes together.”

Faith 

Coach: Brooklyn Schauer

Key returnees: TyAnn Mortenson, 5-10, junior; Kambelle Schauer, 5-6, junior; Katie Sheridan, 5-6, senior; RyLee Price, 5-8, junior; Tandee Nelson, 5-6, junior; Skylar Vig, 5-5, senior; Reagan Grueb, 5-9, senior; Emilee Smith, 5-8, junior; Bridgett Lemmel, 5-10, senior.

Top newcomers: Jae’Cyn Starr, 5-7, junior. 

Harding County 

Coach: Tammy Bruha  

Key returnees: Aspen Vining, Junior, 5-6; Libero; Emerald Page, Junior, 5-7, OH; Alexis McCann, Junior, 5-8, Middle.

Top newcomers: Brayden Padden, 5-9; Freshmen, RS/MH; Jaelyn Wendt, 6-2, Senior, Middle (transfer from Newell); Lainey Crago, 5-5, Junior, Setter (transfer from Belle Fourche).

Hitchcock-Tulare

Coach: Jordan Opp (266-225 coaching record)  

Key returnees: Katelyn Schroeder- OH, Junior; Cambree Hoekman- L, Sophomore; Presley Binger- Setter, Senior; Brooklyn Frankenstein- DS, Senior; Isabel Gilbert- MH- Junior; Ella Johnson- OH- Junior; Lila Jo Johnson- RH/S- Freshman; Rebecca Huizenga- MH- Sophomore; Gracyn Bixler- Setter/RH, Sophomore.

Top newcomers: Emma Schneider- RH, Junior; Sienna Stoner- DS- Sophomore; Emmerie Arthurs- DS/Hitter- Freshman; Avarie Estey- DS- Sophomore; Rachel Huizenga- RH- Senior; Regan Lutter- OH- Sophomore; Olivia Knox- Setter- Freshman.

Outlook: The Patriots bring back key contributors from last season’s 14-17 campaign, including all-state honorable mention performer Katelyn Schroeder. The outside hitter racked up 14 aces, 119 kills, 15 blocks and 105 digs last season. 

Schroeder headlines a host of returners and coach Jordan Opp expects the team to make big strides this season. 

“We sit in a great spot coming into the season as we basically have our whole rotation returning for this coming season,” Opp said. “The girls have worked extremely hard this season on getting better as the expectations are very high coming into the season. We have a great group of hitters that can hit a variety of shots. Our serving looked good during the summer. Some areas that we must improve in are our setting, team defense, and serve receive. We need to get more consistent in each of those areas. If we play and work as a team, this group will be competitive each night out and hopefully be primed by October to make a deep postseason run.”

Howard

Coach: Sarah Feldhaus 

Key returnees: Abby Aslesen, 6-0, senior, middle hitter; Tana Hoyer, junior, setter.

Top newcomers: Taryn Mentele, 5-5, senior, outside hitter; Rebecca Feldhaus, senior, outside hitter; Marissa Dornbusch, 5-4, senior, defensive specialist.  

Outlook: Howard’s lone returning starter is Abby Aslesen, who led the team in blocks and aces during an all-conference season. Hoyer returns as the team’s setter, along with sophomore Elizabeth Albrecht. Coach Sarah Feldhaus expects a number of players to help fill both the hitting and defensive positions this season. 

“We may have several fresh new faces this season, but our goals are high,” Feldhaus said. “We have several versatile players this season which will allow us to be flexible and adapt to our opponents. As a coach I have never had so many players to work with and so many options to choose from. It’s very exciting to watch the girls compete and challenge each other.”

Ipswich 

Coach: Trent Osborne (230-184 coaching record) 

Outlook: The Tigers will return four letterwinners, including two starters, from last season’s 16-14 team and no seniors on Trent Osborn’s squad. 

“We have a very young team this season, as we do not have any seniors and just a

few girls with valuable varsity time,” Osborne said. “So, we plan to take all of the lessons that we have learned in the past and keep getting better every day, every practice, and every play. Becoming a team will be the most important factor on the season. Once we can accomplish that goal all of the other items a young team needs to conquer will be much easier to achieve. While we may be very young we have a group that truly loves volleyball and has a great work ethic. We are excited to see how they improve over the season.” 

Osborne also expects another tough slate of Lake Region Conference matches. 

“We have outstanding competition in the Lake Region Conference (Warner, Northwestern, Faulkton, etc…) and we will use each match to pinpoint our needs so that we can be the best team we can be in November,” Osborne said. 

Irene-Wakonda

Coach: Tonya Rudd 

Key returnees: Emerson Flynn, senior; Quinn McDonald, senior; Madison Orr, junior; 

Top newcomers: Hailey Orr, junior, setter; Paige O’Daniel, sophomore, middle hitter; Brenna Lyngstad, junior, outside hitter; Addison Brockmueller, sophomore, middle hitter. 

Outlook: The Eagles bring back three key players — Emerson Flynn, Quinn McDonald and Madison Orr — from last season’s team. Flynn led the team in aces and assists, while McDonald was the team leader in digs. Orr, a middle hitter, led the team in kills and blocks on her way to second-team all-conference honors. 

“We have several consistent starters returning from last year and that's a great starting

point to build on,” Irene-Wakonda coach Tonya Rudd said. “The goal will be to improve the overall program record and to have fun doing it. I am fortunate to have started my coaching career with this great group of girls. They have been extremely welcoming and open to my idea of what the program culture should look like. The fans can expect to see a team that comes out and plays hard every match.”

Jones County

Coach: Shelly Schweigert 

Key returnees: Sophie Dowling, 5-7, senior, outside hitter; Kamri Kittelson, 5-3, senior, setter; Mallory Venard, 5-5, sophomore, outside hitter/middle hitter.

Top newcomers: Addison Rankin, 5-10, sophomore, middle hitter; Jacey Jensen, 5-7, freshman, setter; Sunny Valburg, freshman, outside hitter; Savanah Hendricks, 5-8, senior, middle hitter; Maddison Dettler, 5-8, senior, DS. 

Outlook: The Coyotes will usher a fresh set of players this season as they’ll be looking to replace a number of departed seniors. 

“We are rebuilding with no returning starters this year,” Jones County coach Shelly Schweigert said. “We have many talented upperclassmen. We will be looking to be quick on defense and building our offensive attack.”

Menno 

Coach: Rachel Stokes

Key returnees: Ashton Massey, MH, senior; Maggie Miller, L, senior; Kaelie Derby, MH/OH, senior; Joslynn Fischer, S, junior; Taylor Freier, OH, junior; Ellyana Ulmer, OH, junior. 

Top newcomers: Haylee Hall, S, junior; Lexie McNinch, MH/OH, sophomore; Amanda Rames, MH/OH, sophomore; Madison Schaeffer, S/OH, sophomore; Bianca Fischer, DS, senior; Alexis Hogeland, S, senior. 

Newell 

Coach: Cheyenne McTaggart  

Key returnees: Kim Johnson, 5-8, senior, outside hitter; Megan Jackson, 5-10, senior, middle hitter.

Top newcomers: Kendra Johnson, freshman, setter.  

Outlook: The Irrigators will be a young squad under first-year coach Cheyenne McTaggart, who will focus on building up the program this season.

“We have a young team,” McTaggart said. “Building our program is our main goal this year. Getting techniques down to make a functioning unit to then make a name for ourselves.”

Northwestern

Coach: Nora Groft (638-85 coaching record) 

Key returnees: 5-11 MH/OH sophomore, Ashley Haven; 5-8 setter sophomore Ella Boekelheide; 5-4 freshman libero Tara Blachford; 5-7 OH freshman Taylor Vetter; 6-3 RS junior Ana Ratigan; 5-9 MH junior Nikki Nickeson; 5-6 OH junior Payton Grandpre; 5-6 setter sophomore Layla Ortmeier; 5-5 DS sophomore Mikaela Schmitt; 5-10 MH sophomore Molly VanHatten; 6-1 OH sophomore Kyara Ratigan; 5-7 OH sophomore Josie Sparling; 5-7 OH sophomore Abby Holmberg.

Top newcomers: 5-4 DS freshman Sophia Troske; 5-7 OH/MH freshman Breelyn Satter. 

Outlook: The Wildcats will again be gunning another state tournament appearance under coach Nora Groft, who is 22 wins away from 700 for her career. The perennial power placed fifth at last season’s state tournament and will again be among the top Class B teams. 

“We are very young—12 of our 15 varsity players are freshmen and sophomores,” Groft said. “We will make a lot of mistakes and learn from them. This group is pretty even skills-wise, so we will have a lot of competition in practice for playing time at matches. If we learn to reduce our unforced errors and compete hard, we will have a successful season.”

Oldham-Ramona-Rutland

Coach: Cassy Geraets 

Key returnees: Alivia Bickett, OH, senior; Julia Trygstad, MH, senior; Dayna Borah, MH, senior; Emily Matson, S, junior; Nancy Kim, junior; Bella Malisch, OH, junior; Camlin Schneider, MH, junior; Lalani Williams, junior. 

Outlook: The Raiders bring back two key seniors — Julia Trygstad and Alivia Bickett — from last season’s 18-11 team. Trygstad was an honorable mention all-state selection, registering 436 kills, 68 blocks and 249 digs her junior season. 

First-year head coach Cassy Geraets expects the pair to lead ORR as the team expects to be more competitive this year. 

“We have two great returning seniors, Julia and Alivia, who I think will help lead the team further this year than they got last year,” Geraets said. “Kaylee (Stratton) built an amazing program at ORR and I hope to continue growing it and taking the girls to levels they haven’t been before. We have a great conference to challenge us and I think we are going to be one of the top teams this year, as long as we always play our best and keep our heads up, even if down by a few points or a set.”

Potter County 

Coach: Wendy Rausch 

Key returnees: Kayden Cronin, senior, middle hitter; Zoe Meinke, junior, outside hitter; Taylyn Rausch, junior, middle hitter.

Top newcomers: Ericka Sautner, junior; Ava Larson, junior; Rayel Persoon, junior; Brandy Beitelspacher, freshman. 

Outlook: The Battlers return three key players from last season’s team, including senior middle hitter Kayden Cronin (62 solo blocks). Juniors Zoe Meinke (75 kills/145 digs) and Taylyn Rausch (17 aces) are also back after solid sophomore campaigns. 

“We will have some key positions to replace, but we have a lot of talent coming back and we had some former players come back out,” Potter County coach Wendy Rausch said. 

Warner

Coach: Kari Jung  

Key returnees: Ava Nilsson, 6-0, senior, setter; Lauren Marcuson, 5-7,  senior, outside hitter; Kyra Marcuson, 5-8, senior, outside hitter; Kyleigh Schopp, 5-11, junior, middle hitter; Courtney Bjorgaard, 5-5, senior, DS/libero; Jordyn Jensen, 5-4, junior, DS.

Top newcomers: MaKenna Leidholt, 5-9, sophomore, middle hitter; Libby Scepaniak, 5-9, junior, setter; Reagan Wood, 5-3, sophomore, setter; Haleigh Holt, 5-2, junior, DS.

Outlook: The Monarchs captured the Class B state championship last season and will return a number of key players from the title run, including all-staters Ava Nilsson and Lauren Marcuson. Nilsson, a setter, logged 1,167 assists, 94 kills, 61 blocks, 63 aces and 250 digs. Marcuson, an outside hitter, registered 293 digs, 337 kills and 38 aces.

“If we stay healthy, we are planning on being very competitive as we return many players with experience,” Warner coach Kari Jung said. “Our defensive players are very quick and will be battling for court time.”